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Shan Yao山药

Dioscoreae Rhizoma · Chinese Yam · Dioscorea Rhizome

Herbs that Tonify the Qi 补气药《神农本草经》

Overview

The peeled, dried rhizome of Chinese yam — a staple food as much as a herb, and one of the safest tonics in the materia medica. Sweet and neutral, it supplements qi and yin together at three levels: it strengthens the Spleen so digestion holds, moistens the Lung for a dry weak cough, and firms the Kidney so that essence and urine are not lost. Because it is astringent as well as supplementing, it holds what it builds, which is why it appears in prescriptions for chronic diarrhoea, spermatorrhoea and vaginal discharge alike. The dry-fried slice (usually bran-fried) is the form for loose stools and a weak appetite; the plain slice keeps more of its moistening, yin-nourishing side.

Nature & Flavor

Sweet · Neutral

Channels

Spleen · Lung · Kidney

Typical Dosage

15–30 g in decoction
山药Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

4 core actions

  • Supplements the Spleen and StomachPoor appetite, fatigue after eating, chronic loose stools and slow recovery from illness. Gentle enough for children, older adults and long courses.
  • Generates fluids and supplements the LungA dry, weak, long-standing cough with little phlegm, a dry mouth and thirst — the Lung side of its action.
  • Supplements the Kidney and secures essenceSeminal emission, frequent urination, and clear copious vaginal discharge from Kidney deficiency; one of the three supplementing herbs in the classic Kidney-yin prescriptions.
  • Processed formsThe dry-fried or bran-fried slice is warmer and more focused on the Spleen, and is preferred for diarrhoea and a weak appetite; the unprocessed slice is used when moistening and fluid-generating actions matter more.

In Formulas

Formulas containing Shan Yao

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Poor appetite, fatigue and chronic loose stools from Spleen deficiency
    - Dry, weak, chronic cough with scant phlegm
    - Seminal emission, frequent urination, vaginal discharge from Kidney deficiency
    - Convalescence and long-term supplementation in the depleted

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

Chronic diarrhoeaFatigueMalabsorptionChronic cough

Contraindications

Cautions

Sweet, supplementing and astringent, so it is held back where something needs to move or be cleared: abdominal fullness and distension, undigested food stagnating, a thick greasy tongue coating, damp-heat, or constipation from excess. Adding a supplementing herb to an unresolved excess pattern makes it more stubborn. Handling the fresh, unpeeled root can irritate the skin and cause itching in some people — a kitchen matter rather than a dispensary one, but worth knowing. Our dispensary data flags no toxicity and no allergy risk for this herb.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: No specific restriction — practitioner judgment applies. It is a food-grade herb in ordinary culinary amounts.

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing《神农本草经》(classical source, public domain).
    2. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    3. 《中华人民共和国药典》.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.