Chinese yam, also known as Dioscorea opposita or Shan Yao, has been used in Chinese Medicinal treatment for decades. But if you’re looking for a natural alternative to hormone therapy during menopause, you might want to give Chinese yam a try. As a result of this confusion, some claims about Chinese yam may actually apply to other species, and vice versa. It was brought to the United States in the 1800s and has spread across the country since [1]. In Canada, it is regulated as a pest. Chinese Yam (also known as nagaimo, cinammon vine and shan yao) is a type of yam in the Dioscorea family. It can be used as a food and dietary supplement with a medicinal history of more than 2,000 years. Although the active compounds in Chinese yam may increase progesterone levels under some circumstances, the herb does not actually contain progesterone. Chinese yam is rich in mucilage; if ground or grated and spread on the skin, it may help heal cuts, scrapes, and other conditions [38, 39, 40, 41]. Texture smooth (air) to warty (Chinese) to rough (water). Chinese yam contains multiple compounds that can mimic female sex hormones. No clinical evidence supports the use of Chinese yam for any of the conditions listed in this section. Chinese yam is a versatile tuber, with many beneficial health qualities, from helping with diarrhea, to relieving diabetes symptoms, to general antioxidant benefits. SelfHacked © 2013 – 2021 All Rights Reserved. Learn more about this invasive plant—and please don’t plant it! Jonathan Ritter, PharmD, PhD (Pharmacology), Bulbine Natalensis Benefits + Side Effects & Reviews, What is Mescaline? Multiple states, including Michigan, have active control programs whereby the government asks citizens to report sightings of Chinese yam. The research on Chinese yam suffers from considerable confusion about its proper scientific name. Other additions to these compounds can include vitamins, minerals, and other herbs. Our team comprises of trained MDs, PhDs, pharmacists, qualified scientists, and certified health and wellness specialists. It’s also been used to treat chronic…. Its shoots become a very narrow green stalk (from one to two millimetres or .04-.08 inches in diameter) that can extend upwards over two metres (6.5 feet). These 11 picks are some of the best king-size mattresses money can buy. This article tells you all you need to know about shepherd's…, Osha root has numerous traditional uses for respiratory ailments, but you may wonder whether any of them are backed by scientific evidence. It has spread from Lousianna to Vermont and can form dense masses of vines that cover and kill native vegetation, including trees, within a variety of moist, disturbed habitats. Chinese yams are a source of vitamins B1 and C. They also contain significant amounts of potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, and manganese [15, 11]. Typically, leaves are 4 to 8 cm long and up to 4 cm wide with 7 to 9 veins. Really. It can help treat: Chinese yam contains allantoin, a natural compound that can accelerate the growth of healthy tissue and reduce healing time. Furthermore, the only way to make sure the plant won’t come back is to remove the whole thing, including the nutritious root [7, 48, 42]. In addition to these uses, promoters of the herb claim it can be used as a remedy for many conditions, including: This study on the gastrointestinal function in rats shows that Chinese yam extract not only aids in digestion but can help turn some intestinal flora in the stomach into helpful bacteria. Dioscorea polystachya (Dioscorea batatas – Decne.) Note that each number in parentheses [1, 2, 3, etc.] It can also be prepared and taken in many ways and eaten simply for its nutritional value. is a clickable link to peer-reviewed scientific studies. Chinese yam is very easy to cook. Learn about diagnosis, treatment, and survival rate. This…, Bryonia is a plant-based homeopathic remedy that’s been used to relieve constipation and stomach upset. Its root is a nutritious tuber rich in starch, vitamins, minerals, and beneficial active compounds. We believe that the most accurate information is found directly in the scientific source. These bloom anytime from spring to autumn (variety specific) with small white flowers. Wild yam is a climbing vine. Height: Chinese yam is a creeping and climbing vine that may reach up to 5 meters in height given support from trees and shrubs. What Are Steel Cut Oats, and Do They Have Benefits? Its deeply lobbed leaves can be round-heart- to sword-handle shaped to arrow-heart shaped, but to me they resemble a cartoon outline of a rat’s head, with a long nose, large ears. Call your local conservation officer to find out if Chinese yam is a problem in your area. Its hairless stems are purplish-red and its leaves are broad and heart-shaped. Chinese yam is an invasive species in the United States. Shan Yao also known as Chinese Yam, Nagaimo, Cinnamon Vine, or Rhizoma Dioscoreae is the rhizome of Dioscorea polystachya, which is a perennial climbing vine belonging to the family Dioscoreaceae. Appearance Dioscorea polystachya is an invasive herbaceous, twining vine that grows to about 16.4 ft. (5 m). SelfHacked has the strictest sourcing guidelines in the health industry and we almost exclusively link to medically peer-reviewed studies, usually on PubMed.