Chinese Yam Dioscorea polystachya Turczaninow Non-native - Invasive Synonyms: Cinnamon vine, Dioscorea batatas, Dioscorea oppositifolia, Potato Vine. It … Chinese yam Dioscorea polystachya Turcz. Although the active compounds in Chinese yam may increase progesterone levels under some circumstances, the herb does not actually contain progesterone. Chinese yam may be a good functional food for diabetes or prediabetes, but these benefits have not been investigated in humans [23, 19]. Dioscorea polystachya, also called Cinnamon Vine is useful in treating ulcers of all kinds. Texture smooth (air) to warty (Chinese) to rough (water). Our goal is to not have a single piece of inaccurate information on this website. Chinese yam is very easy to cook. In its natural form, Chinese yam can be eaten: Chinese yam is also administered in creams and gels that can be applied directly to your skin. Mucilage from yam increased several indicators of immune function in animals, including [37]: As part of its immune-boosting effects in animals, Chinese yam increased inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha and IL-6) [36, 37, 35]. According to animal and cell studies, Chinese yam and its extracts may promote the growth of healthy bacteria in the digestive system. This…, Bryonia is a plant-based homeopathic remedy that’s been used to relieve constipation and stomach upset. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. You can chop up the roots and stir-fry or saute with your spices of choice in just a couple of minutes. Chinese Yam (Cinnamon Vine, Air Potato) Dioscorea batatas, D. oppositifolia, D. bulbifera Description - • Chinese Yam and air potato are long-climbing vines with 2- to 3-inch wide shiny heart-shaped leaves having arc-shaped veins. Diosgenin is a phytoestrogen: a plant steroid that acts like an estrogen. It becomes established in mesic After menopause and as ovulation ceases, progesterone and estrogen levels drop. If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please leave a comment or contact us at [email protected]. Vetiver oil is a lesser-known essential oil, but it has powerful properties. DOI is an estrogen-stimulating protein recently discovered in Chinese yam. Required fields are marked *. A plus sign next to the number “[1+, 2+, etc...]” means that the information is found within the full scientific study rather than the abstract. In animals, diosgenin increased the Th1 response, which can help fight infections but becomes excessive in people with autoimmune issues [35]. Yes, like that kind of ant. Chinese yam is a climbing vine native to China that is currently widespread throughout East Asia. Chinese yam is a deciduous perennial vine native to China. It should not be used as grounds to take Chinese yam for fertility [24, 3]. You can identify this plant by its heart–shaped leaves and “air potatoes.” If you live in the United States (from southern Vermont to Georgia and as far west as Oklahoma), you may be able to gather it wild while helping out your local ecosystem [7, 48, 42]. Chinese yam is an aggressive vine, forming small bulbils that resemble little potatoes in the axils of its leaves. It has long been used as a congenital and acquired tonic. It is being researched as a safer, natural alternative to hormone replacement therapy in menopausal women. What Is Osha Root, and Does It Have Benefits? It is considered to stimulate the spleen, lungs, and kidneys. Align your health hacks with your genes for optimal health & cognitive function. 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]. Dioscorea polystachya (Dioscorea batatas – Decne.) While this vine dies back in the winter, it grows and reproduces quickly enough to reduce plant diversity and threaten native ecosystems. The tubers are edible and usually cooked. Foliage Leaves: The leaves are acute to acuminate with a cordate (heart-shaped) base. Japanese people call it “nagaimo,” which translates to “long yam” [5, 6]. It was brought to the United States in the 1800s and has spread across the country since [1]. There might be additional resources available for intrepid foragers who want to go dig up this nutritious tuber! The recognized name is Dioscorea polystachya, but a large portion of the literature refers to it as D. opposita or D. oppositifolia. As a kid, he suffered from inflammation, brain fog, fatigue, digestive problems, anxiety, depression, and other issues that were poorly understood in both conventional and alternative medicine. This vine is related to the tropical Yam that is found in grocery stores, but it does not produce edible tubers. People who want to avoid estrogenic effects may want to avoid Chinese yam. The vines twine from left to right. Jasmine loves helping people understand their brains and bodies, a passion that grew out of her dual background in biology and education. It is also highly ornamental, for it is known among flower fanciers as the Cinnamon Vine. Its hairless stems are purplish-red and its leaves are broad and heart-shaped. Chinese yam vine ( Dioscorea oppositifolia is the most common botanical name) growing along the banks of Knoxville's Ten Mile Creek, on the greenway. Combined supplements are readily available to purchase at health food stores or online. Jasmine received her BS from McGill University and her BEd from Vancouver Island University. Most members of the yam family produce diosgenin, including the Chinese yam [16]. Chinese yam leaves may grow to 4.3 inches (11 cm) long and wide [21,24]. Guinea yam (D. rotundata) and yellow Guinea yam (D. cayenensis) are the main yam species grown in West Africa. Air yam to 5 inches (12 cm) long, Chinese yam to 1 inch (2.5 cm) long, and water yam to 1.2 inches (3 cm) long and 4 inches (10 cm) wide. It is the roots of dioscorea opposita which is a vine plant in the family dioscoreacreae. 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. While Chinese yam is safe to consume as food, it has not been approved by the FDA for any medical purpose or health claim. Chinese yam root (which may also be called a tuber or rhizome) was traditionally combined with other herbs to manage diabetes, improve women’s reproductive health, and support digestive health [2, 3, 4]. This…, Steel cut oats are a less popular form of oats that takes a while to cook, but they have several health benefits and a unique flavor and texture. Chinese yam is an invasive species in the United States. In the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic, we’ve got to do everything we can to keep our bodies as healthy as possible. Does the science support these uses? In mice, diosgenin and mucilage from Chinese yam increased the activity of the immune system and improved the animals’ ability to fight infections that they had encountered before, such as the inactive viruses in vaccines [36, 37, 35]. Although both synthetic and bioidentical hormones are therapeutic options that aim to compensate for the drop in sex hormones, neither is ideal [28]. Chinese yam, also known as Dioscorea opposita or Shan Yao, has been used in Chinese Medicinal treatment for decades. You must consult your doctor before acting on any content on this website, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition. Multiple states, including Michigan, have active control programs whereby the government asks citizens to report sightings of Chinese yam. Though Chinese yam doesn’t contain estrogen, it has properties that can cause it to act like a mild form of estrogen. In a study of 28 healthy adults, a diosgenin-rich yam extract improved markers of cognitive function and memory, without producing side effects. SelfHacked © 2013 – 2021 All Rights Reserved. Overview Appearance. Dioscorea polystachya is an invasive herbaceous, twining vine that grows to about 16.4 ft. (5 m). Dioscorea polystachya or Chinese yam (Chinese: 山药), also called cinnamon-vine, is a species of flowering plant in the yam family. Chinese yam contains multiple compounds that can mimic female sex hormones. 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. These compounds (including diosgenin, DOI, adenosine, and arbutin) are currently under investigation for their potential against [18, 29, 30, 5]: Chinese yam may increase progesterone and estrogen levels, according to studies in menopausal rats. It also helps with sticky nose discharge with weakness in Lung Qi and stagnation in Stomoach meridians (the Qi pathway). New research on polyphenols shows they can help microorganisms in your digestive system, and may extend your lifespan, too. However, the studies listed below should not be interpreted as supportive of any health benefit. As an herbal treatment, Chinese yam is mainly used to target the stomach and spleen, but also thought to help the lungs and kidneys. However, there is no scientific evidence to support claims regarding its safety or effectiveness. The roots of Chinese yam contain diosgenin, which can be used to produce steroids such as estrogen and progesterone in a lab. Chinese yam (D. polystachya), also known as cinnamon vine, is widely cultivated in East Asia. However, some sources report it as D. opposita or even D. villosa, the latter of which is a different species called wild yam. Unlike Chinese yam, wild yam is often sold in the form of creams. Dioscorea Opposita is the Chinese wild yam which can be eaten raw. Your email address will not be published. Better still, they resemble the leaves of … People with conditions related to the stomach, spleen, kidneys, lungs, or skin may benefit from Chinese yam.
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