Chinese Yam, Shan Yao, 山药, Dioscorea oppositifolia
Disclaimer For educational purposes only. Do not use as medical advice
D. opposita and D. oppositifolia are synonyms. They refer to the same plant. USA: Dioscorea oppositifolia has been introduced to multiple states. USDA Zones: 4-11 Native: Japan, Taiwan, China, Korea Habitats: Hilly slopes, valleys Herbal medicine may interact negatively with pharma drugs and other herbs. Examples below: Herbs: ♦ Antidiabetic: Mei Gui Hua, Du Zhong, Dang Shen, HuoLong Guo, rougui, Celery, Chamomile, Moringa Tree, Basil, Ku Gua, Hibiscus, Gou Qi Zi, Ju Hua, Xia Ku Cao, Dang Gui, Zhi Mu, Shi gao, Xuan Shen, Cang Zhu, Shan yao, Huang Qi, Artichoke, Gan Cao, Nu Zhen Zi, Ju Hua Pharma Drugs:♦ Antidiabetic: Acarbose (Precose ) , Albiglutide (Tanzeum) , Alogliptin (Nesina) , Bromocriptine mesylate (Cycloset , Canaglifozin (Invokana) , Chlorpropamide (Diabinese) , Dapagliflozin (Farxiga) , Dulaglutide (Trulicity) , Empagliflozin (Jardiance) , Glimepiride (Amaryl) , glipizide (Glucotrol) , Glyburide (DiaBeta , Glynase) , Insulin , Linagliptin (Tradjenta) , Metformin , Miglitol (Glyset) , Nateglinide (Starlix) , Parlodel) , Pioglitazone (Actos) , Pramlintide , Repaglinide (Prandin) , Rosiglitazone (Avandia) , Saxagliptin (Onglyza) , Sitagliptin (Januvia) , Tol-Tab) , Tolazamide (Tolinase) , Tolbutamide (Orinase) Health Benefits
For: Cholesterol • Diabetes • Diarrhea • Hypertension • Hyperglycemia • Leukorrhea • Spermatorrhea
Attributes: Antidiabetic • Antidiarrheal • Anti-inflammatory • Estrogenic • Hypotensive • Immunomodulatory
Products (online examples)
Photos (Click to enlarge)
Fun Facts
Other Names: Rhizoma Dioscoreae • Huai Shan Yao • Huai Shan • 怀 山 • Common Yam • Cinnamon-vine • Nagaimo • Tororo • Seoyeo • Hoài Sơn • Tuge • White ñame • Japanese mountain potato
Plant Family: DioscoreaceaeThis herb should always be cooked. Do not eat raw. It can be fried, added to soup, or used like a potato. Besides the root, this plant produces small potatoes on its vines that can also be used in dishes.
Species
D. opposita and D. oppositifolia are synonyms
Dioscorea Alata L
Dioscorea Bulbifera
Dioscorea NipponicaGrowth
Dioscorea oppositifolia is in the USDA Plant Database. Drill down via USDA Interactive Map:
Properties, Actions, Indications, etc. Category: Tonify Yin
English: Chinese Yam Pinyin: Shan Yao Pharmaceutical: Radix Dioscoreae Oppositae
Organs: Kidney • Lung • Spleen Temperature: Neutral
Taste: Sweet Toxicity:
Patterns: Xiao Ke syndrome • Lung Yin deficiency • Spleen Yin deficiency • Stomach Yin deficiency • Kidney yin deficiency • Qi deficiency
Actions: Tonify Qi • Tonify lungs • Tonify spleen • Tonify stomach • Tonify kidney • Tonify Yin
Indications: High blood sugar • Low energy • Poor appetite • Fatigue • Diarrhea
Contraindications: Yam allergies; Shan Yao antagonizes Gui Sui
Typical Dosage: 10g to 30g Guidelines
Parts Used: Root
Other:
Combine With
Purpose
Fu Ling + Bai Zhu + Ginseng (Shen Ling Bai Zhu San)
Spleen deficiency -Diarrhea or loose stool[3],[21], fatigue, poor appetite [18]
Chao Mai Ya + Ji Nei Jin
Spleen and stomach weakness - food stagnation [3],[21]
Sha Ren + Zhi Shi
Spleen and stomach weakness - Qi stagnation [21] + Chen Pi [3]
Yu Zhu + Shi Hu
Spleen and stomach weakness - Yin deficiency[21] +Mai Men Dong [3]
Mu Li + Hai Piao Xiao + Long Gu + Qian Cao (Qing Dai Tang)
Spleen deficiency - Leukorrhea (copious, clear, red, persistent) [3],[18],[21]
Huang Bai + Che Qian Zi + Zhi Shi +Bai Guo (Yi Huang Tang)
Spleen deficiency with damp heat - Leukorrhea (yellow, viscous, odorous)[18],[21]
Shan Zhu Yu + Tu Si Zi
Spleen and Kidney deficiencies - Leukorrhea[3]
Mai Men Dong + Wu Wei Zi
Lung deficiency - cough[21]
Xuan Shen + Niu Bang Zi
Wheezing and Dry cough[21]
Xuan Shen + Ji Nei Jin +Niu Bang Zi
Lung yin deficiency with dehydration[18]
Xuan Shen + Ji Nei Jin +Niu Bang Zi + Shen Di Huang
Lung yin deficiency with dehydration and heat[3],[18]
Qian Shi + Shan Zhu Yu + Tu Si Zi
Kidney deficiency - spermatorrhea, vaginal discharge, or diarrhea[21]
Shan Zhu Yu + Tu Si Zi
Kidney and spleen deficiency - spermatorrhea, Leukorrhea [3]
Huang Qi + Zhi Mu (Yu Ye Tang)
Diabetes (feeling constantly thirsty) [21]
Huang Qi + Zhi Mu (Yu Ye Tang) + Ge Gen
Diabetes [18]
Shi Gao + Zhi Mu + Mai Men Dong + Tian Hua Fen
Diabetes + internal heat [3],[18
Shi Gao + Zhi Mu + Ge Gen + Huang Jing + Tian Hua Fen + Sheng Di Huang
Diabetes + Excessive hunger + Excessive thirst [3],[18]
Ge Gen + Huang Qi + Tian Hua Fen
Diabetes + Excessive thirst [3]
Sheng Di Huang + Shu Di Huang +Shan Zhu Yu + Wu Wei Zi + Ze Xie + Mu Dan Pi + Lian Xu
Diabetes + Excessive urine [3],[18]
Yi Zhi Ren + Wu Yao (Suo Quan Wan)
Frequent urination at night [3],[18]
Shan Zhu Yu + Shu Di Huang
Kidney deficiency - night sweats and spermatorrhea [21]
Chai Hu + Bai Shao + Bai Zhu + Cang Zhu +Ren Shen (Wan Dai Tang)
Spleen deficiency + liver qi stagnation -Leukorrhea [18],[21]
Dang Shen
Spleen and kidney deficiency - fatigue, poor appetite, diarrhea, cough (thin mucous) [3],[21]
Mai Men Dong + Wu Wei Zi
Lung deficient cough [3]
Formulas with Shan Yao
Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan • Bao Yin Jian • Bu Shen Yi Gan Tang • Dang Gui Di Huang Yin • Diao Gan Tang • Ding Jing Tang • Du Qi Wan • Er Long Zuo Ci Wan • Fu Tu Dan • Jian Ling Tang • Jian Pi Wan • Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan • Liu Wei Di Huang Wan • Mai Wei Di Huang Wan • Ming Mu Di Huang Wan • Qi Ju Di Huang Wan • Ren Shen Zi Xue Tang • Shen Ling Bai Zhu San • Shen Qi Wan • Suo Quan Wan • Tu Si Zi Wan • Wan Dai Tang • Yi Huang Tang • You Gui Wan • Yu Ye Tang • Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan • Zuo Gui Wan • Zuo Gui Yin
Alert
Be cautions with all medicine.
Potential Drug Interactions
Information in this post came from many sources, including class notes, practitioners, websites, webinars, books, magazines, and editor's personal experience. While the original source often came from historical Chinese texts, variations may result from the numerous English translations. Always consult a doctor prior to using these drugs. The information here is strictly for educational purposes.
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