Chinese Yam / Dioscorea Opposita (shan yao) 淮山

Nature: Neutral; sweet; attributive to spleen, lung and kidneys.

Characteristics: The long tuberous roots of bean-like plants, which are cultivated for pharmaceutical use. It is a superior herb. The dried white flesh of the tuber is sliced into long thin slabs, containing nutrient which can restore and enhance immune functions throughout the system.

Therapeutic effects: Invigorate the spleen and stomach with poor appetite, loose stools or chronic diarrhea; invigorate the lung with chronic cough or tuberculosis; stimulate endocrine secretions for immune deficiency; strengthens kidney functions for frequent urination and leucorrhagia and nourish semen-essence.

Usage: Chinese yam is mostly used in herbal tea decoction, soup and congee. Yam powder is used in making noodles and bread.   

Contradictions: Not suitable when having fever or flu, acute sickness from external evil invasion and stomach indigestion.