D. alata Descourtilz, Flore médicale des Antilles, 1829
Dioscorea polystachya (Photo by James H. Miller) (Wikimedia)
Botanical name:
Dioscorea spp.
D. polystachya is the standard species.
D. opposita
Also used are D. persimilis, D. alata, D. fordii, D. batatas
Parts used:
Rhizome
Temperature & Taste:
Neutral, slightly moist. Sweet
Uses:
1. Tonifies Spleen and Stomach: -low energy, poor appetite, loose stool, spontaneous sweating -tonic for the young and old; eaten as a health food in China -“replenishes the Spleen and Stomach, stops diarrhea” (Li Shi Zhen)
2. Tonifies Lung Qi and Yin: -chronic cough, wheezing
3. Tonifies Kidneys, Astringes Kidneys: -Diabetes, Wasting and Thirsting Disorder (overlaps Diabetes) -Urinary frequency, nocturnal Urination -Spermatorreha, Leukorrhea -“reinforces physical strength … and enhances male sexuality” (Shen Nong Ben Cao) -“Long-term use brightens the eye and improves hearing”. (Shen Nong Ben Cao) -“enlightens one’s wisdom and enhances one’s memory”. (Zhen Quan)
Dose:
Decoction: 9–30 grams; when used alone or in extreme weakness and for Wasting and Thirsting (Diabetes-like disorders), up to 60–250 grams are used per day. Powder: 3–10 grams The fresh root is often added to Soups in China as a health tonic and biscuits are also made to support children’s health.
Main Combinations:
The 3 Kidney Medicines Often Dioscorea Shan Yao is combined with Cornus Shan Zhu Yu and Rehmannia Shu Di Huang. This trio forms the basis of the most important formulas used to strengthen the Kidneys. Alone, they nourish Kidney Yin and are usually corrected with the addition of Poria Fu Ling, Alisma Ze Xie and Paeonia Mu Dan Pi (as in Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, ‘Rehmannia ‘). When combined with Cinnamon (Rou Gui) and Aconitum Fu Zi, it is called Shen Qi Wan (Kidney Qi Pill) and is used for Yang deficiency.
1. Spermatorrhea and Night-sweats with Kidney Yin deficiency, Dioscorea Shan Yao with Rehmannia Shu Di Huang and Cornus Shan Zhu Yu 2. Spleen and Stomach deficiency: i. with poor energy and poor appetite, Dioscorea Shan Yao with Ginseng and Atractylodes Bai Zhu. ii. with Qi stagnation, Dioscorea Shan Yao with Amomum Sha Ren, Aurantium Chen Pi iii. with loose stool or diarrhea, Dioscorea Shan Yao with Poria Fu Ling, Atractylodes Bai Zhu, Coix Yi Yi Ren iv. with Food Stagnation, Dioscorea Shan Yao with Massa Fermenta (Shen Qu), Chicken Gizzard Skin (Ji Nei Jin) v. Weakness, fatigue, poor appetite, Loose stool from Spleen deficiency, Dioscorea Shan Yao with Atractylodes Bai Zhu and Poria Fu Ling (as in Sheng Ling Bai Zhu San) 3. Chronic Cough from Lung Qi and Yin deficiency, Dioscorea Shan Yao with Ophopogon Mai Men Dong and Schisandra Wu Wei Zi. 4. Chronic Cough with Lung Qi deficiency, Dioscorea Shan Yao with Codonopsis Dang Shen and Licorice 5. Leukorrhea: i. with Blood, Dioscorea Shan Yao with Cuttlebone (Hai Piao Xiao), Madder (Qian Cao) ii. Damp-heat with Spleen deficiency, Dioscorea Shan Yao with Phellodendron Huang Bai, Plantain seed (Che Qian Zi) 6. Diabetes: i. Dioscorea Shan Yao with Astragalus Huang Qi (this has been researched, see here) ii.
D. alata
Dioscorea polystachya