Chinese Yams / Dioscorea
Chinese Yams / Dioscorea (Shan Yao)
Botanical Name: Dioscoreae Oppositae (D. polystachya and D. oppositifolia, D. villosa)
Called “fairy food” in China for its congenital and tonic abilities, it is often cut into thick slices and cooked in stews. Used safely by all ages, it is especially noted for improving male and female fertility, aiding digestion and stopping coughs.
Below is an overview of Chinese Yams / Dioscorea (Shan Yao), combining and interpreting the best of Western Science, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Shamanism, Folklore and more. Gain a balanced and thorough understanding of the healing properties of Chinese Yams / Dioscorea (Shan Yao).
Have we sparked your interest?
Sign up, FREE, for access to all of WRI Healing Herb Fact Sheets and Exclusive Member Only Offers! Your satisfaction is guaranteed.
Find Out More!
Take full advantage of the healing powers of herbs! What do they treat? How can they be used? Get an Eastern and Western perspective about how and why healing herbs works. Get recipes, gardening tips, insights, and much, much more.
Western
Also Known As: Dioscorea, Diosgenin, Colic Root, Devil’s Bones, China Root, Mexican Wild Yam
Organs/Systems: Digestion, Lungs, Reproductive
Key Actions: Digestive, Tonic, Demulcent, Antispasmodic, Anti-inflammatory, Analgesic, Relaxant
Medicinal Uses: Nausea, urinary tract infections, arthritis, cholera, menstrual disorders, cramping, morning sickness, soothing nerves, relieving pain, relaxing muscles, poor circulation, neuralgia, infertility in men and women, vaginal dryness, lowers blood cholesterol, lowers blood sugar.
Eastern
Also Known As: Huai Shan Yao
Meridians: Kidney, Lung, Spleen
Key Actions: Tonifies and Supports Spleen and Stomach, Tonifies and Supports Lung Qi, Tonifies the Kidneys/Stabilizes and Binds, Helps Bind Essence (Jing), Nourishes Blood/Calms Shen (Spirit/Awareness).
Medicinal Uses: Diarrhea, fatigue, spontaneous sweating, lack of appetite, chronic cough, wheezing, this herb moistens and is neither hot nor cold, therefore it is often used for wasting and thirsting disorder, treats spermatorrhea, frequent and scanty urination, nocturnal emissions and vaginal discharge.
Parts Most Frequently Used: Roots, Tubers
Flavors/Temps: Sweet, Neutral
Caution: Considered safe used internally or externally on the skin. Not recommended if Excess Damp or Stagnation is present.
History/Folklore: The name “Dioscorea” is derived from the Ancient Greek physician and botanist Dioscorides.
It is used raw in Oriental medicine to tonify Yin and dry-fried to strengthen the Spleen.
The steroidal saponins found in dioscorea can be converted through a series of chemical reactions into steroid hormones used in medicine and contraceptives.
Good quality yams are thick, firm, powdery and have a clear white cross section.
Dioscorea lowers blood-sugar and is therefore used to treat diabetes.
In Oriental medicine dioscorea is associated with the Kidney and Spleen energetic systems. Because the Kidney system is associated with congenital health and fertility, and the Spleen system is associated with acquired health through food and digestion, the herb is considered a foundation tonic herb for good health and development. It is rare for one herb to strengthen what is called Congenital and Acquired Qi.
Chinese Yams increase the flow of bile that can help hepatic congestion and gallstones.
Traditionally, yams from Henan (Huaiqing) are believed to have the highest medicinal properties and nutritional qualities. Thus, these yams are often called “Huai Shan Yao.”
Yams are usually harvested after the frost’s descent in the Chinese 18th solar term. Dioscoreahas long been considered by the Chinese to be an excellent herb for promoting longevity, helping prevent cardiovascular problems, building Blood (Xue), increasing appetite, improving fertility (including increasing sperm count) and lowering blood sugar levels.
Chinese yams are sometimes promoted as “natural DHEA”. This is because in the laboratory DHEA is made from diosgenin, which is found in Chinese yams. This chemical reaction is not believed to occur in the human body so taking Chinese yams will not increase DHEA and those interested in taking DHEA should avoid wild yam products marked as “natural DHEA.”
Chinese yams are considered to have gentle, though powerful, therapeutic properties and can therefore be used safely by all ages.
The vine is considered to be quite aggressive, taking over everything within reach, so be aware if you decide to plant any in your garden.
Want Chinese Yams / Dioscorea (Shan Yao)?
Here are some options…
Key Constituents:
Dioscorea
Used to Produce Steroids
Don't Eat With Carp
FREE Trial!
Get a NEW Healing Herb Fact Sheet each week!
Sign up for immediate access to your first Healing Herb Fact Sheet and a one month free trial. Find out for yourself why over 50,000 people have already signed up.
Choose the Right Herbs for You!
Take FULL Advantage of the Healing Powers of Herbs!
Our Healing Herb Library is a collection of How to Use Herb Health Sessions that guide you through individual herbs, helping you to take full advantage of each herb’s unique healing powers.
Flower Your World with Healing Herb Fact Sheets!
Get 300+ Fact Sheets,
Right Now!
Get IMMEDIATE access to Our Complete Collection of 6 eBook Volumes containing 300+ Healing Herb Fact Sheets.
Want to Learn More?
Join us for FREE to receive Special Offers and updates about our upcoming courses, FREE materials and more.Disclosure: If you purchase from some links on this web page, we may receive some kind of affiliate commission. However, we only ever mention products we would recommend whether we were being compensated or not. Thank you so much for your support of White Rabbit Institute of Healing!
