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More
Information:
Other
Common Names
Wild Chinese Yam and Mountain Medicine
Page
Number In Radiant Health
186
Pharmaceutical
Latin
Radix Dioscoreae Oppositae
Pinyin
Shan Yao
Treasures
Yin Jing and Qi
Treasure
Rating
****
Atmospheric
Energy
Neutral
Organ
Meridian Systems
Kidneys, Spleen and Stomach
Part
Used and Form
The peeled sun-dried rhizome
Primary
Functions
Qi tonic, Yin Jing tonic, tonic to Yin of Lung and
Stomach, astringent to Kidney.
Qualities
Dioscorea, whose literal name in Chinese is
"Mountain Medicine," is one of the more widely
used tonic herbs. Because the herb has a neutral
"atmospheric energy," and therefore is neither
hot nor cold, it benefits both the Yin and the Yang of
the Lungs, Kidneys and Spleen.
It builds Spleen Qi, which results in strong digestion
and metabolism. It is often combined with Ginseng, White
Atractylodes and Poria to fortify the Qi producing power
of the digestive tract. Dioscorea is a great herb for
people who suffer from loose stool. It is very effective
at treating many types of diarrhea.
Used with Codonopsis (or American Ginseng), Ophiopogon,
Schizandra and other herbs that benefit the Lungs,
Dioscorea helps strengthen the ability to build Qi in
the Lungs and generally improve Lung functioning, which
in turn strengthens the whole body. It is commonly used
in formulations designed to relieve coughing due to weak
Lung condition.
Dioscorea is a valuable herb In the process of
rebuilding and maintaining healthy Kidney functions. It
has both Yin Jing building power and an astringent
action which helps consolidate the Kidney energy,
preventing "leaking" of fluids. It is widely
recommended for the "leakage" problems which
occur as a result of a deficiency of the Kidney, such as
spermatorrhea, leucorrhagia and frequent urination. It
is also often used by people suffering night sweats as a
result of general weakness or chronic consumptive
illness. In each of the above mentioned cases, Dioscorea
will be combined with different herbs. Dioscorea will
help strengthen the back and knees, like all herbs that
build the Kidney.
Diabetes is a disorder for which Dioscorea is very
highly recommended in Asia. The vast majority of Chinese
people with diabetes drink a tea of Dioscorea, or a
blend of Dioscorea with other herbs, throughout the day
to help with the symptoms of dysphoria and thirst.
Dioscorea is a powerful herb for treating dehydration be
it due to an illness, excessive sweating from to
physical activity, due to the weather, or whatever.
Dioscorea is a superb herb for helping replenish body
fluids when taken as a tea or with sufficient water.
Dioscorea is a safe and mild herb that can be used as a
nutrient tonic on a regular basis. Being a type of yam,
it is often included in food products, and cooked in
routine Chinese cooking as a health food. The slices of
Dioscorea are quite edible. Dioscorea can easily be
crushed or ground into a powder which makes an excellent
ingredient in almost any cooking where flour, grain or
starch might otherwise be used.
Primary
Combinations
Dioscorea may be used alone. Combine with:
1. Ginseng, Atractylodes, Poria, Licorice and Jujube
Date to strengthen the Spleen and Lungs and to build qi
2. Lycium and Schizandra to tonify the Kidneys and
3. American Ginseng or Panax Ginseng Root to moderate
blood sugar levels
4. Poria to improve the urinary function of the Kidney
5. Dang Gui and White Peony Root to regulate female
hormonal functions
Varieties
and Grading
Dioscorea comes in a range of grades depending on the
variety and where it was grown. A variety known as
"Huai Shan" ( »³É½Ò© ) is grown in the
mountains of Henan Province and is considered to be the
best. However, good Dioscorea also grows in many
mountainous areas of China including Hebei, Sichuan,
Shandong and Shanxi Provinces. Dioscorea is sometimes
available simple as the sliced yam. Often, it is
macerated and rolled into cylindrical rods. These rods
are sometimes are sold as whole rods (several inches
long), and sometimes sliced into very neat pieces. This
process does not in any way effect quality. Pure white
Dioscorea is usually the best. Source and Price will
generally tell you which is the best Dioscorea.
Contraindications
Dioscorea should be used only sparingly in cases of
abdominal distention due to food stagnancy
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