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Chinese yam
May 29, 2011, Sunday
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Print Edition
EDITOR'S Note:
In this biweekly column, we introduce a medicinal ingredient used in traditional Chinese medicine, along with prescription and usage instructions. By providing basic knowledge of TCM, we aim to acquaint readers with China's profound heritage of traditional and natural healing.
Shanyao, or Chinese yam, literally "mountain medicine," is a herbal root commonly used in TCM to benefit the spleen and the stomach, and treat chronic diarrhea. One legend says Chinese yam and its medicinal healing abilities were discovered during an ancient war between two countries.
A stronger side was easily beating and taking land from a smaller nation, forcing the defeated army to flee up a mountain.
The larger country's army waited at the bottom of the mountain for them to surrender.
After several months, the commander of the stronger country's army thought his enemies would be almost starved to death so he told his soldiers to relax vigilance.
One night, while the waiting troops were asleep, a powerful army emerged from the mountain. The small country turned defeat to victory and reclaimed their lost land.
It turned out they had discovered a climbing plant with sweet-tasting roots and lived on it until they were strong enough to fight back.
To remember the plant, they named it "shanyu," literally "meeting in the mountain." It was later renamed "shanyao" as it was frequently used by TCM practitioners as a healing medicine.
Chinese yam is a "warm" herb that benefits the spleen and kidney by reinforcing energy. It helps refresh the body, increase appetite and deals with diarrhea. It is often prescribed to treat coughing and asthma. It is also said to be helpful in treating diabetes.
In this biweekly column, we introduce a medicinal ingredient used in traditional Chinese medicine, along with prescription and usage instructions. By providing basic knowledge of TCM, we aim to acquaint readers with China's profound heritage of traditional and natural healing.
Shanyao, or Chinese yam, literally "mountain medicine," is a herbal root commonly used in TCM to benefit the spleen and the stomach, and treat chronic diarrhea. One legend says Chinese yam and its medicinal healing abilities were discovered during an ancient war between two countries.
A stronger side was easily beating and taking land from a smaller nation, forcing the defeated army to flee up a mountain.
The larger country's army waited at the bottom of the mountain for them to surrender.
After several months, the commander of the stronger country's army thought his enemies would be almost starved to death so he told his soldiers to relax vigilance.
One night, while the waiting troops were asleep, a powerful army emerged from the mountain. The small country turned defeat to victory and reclaimed their lost land.
It turned out they had discovered a climbing plant with sweet-tasting roots and lived on it until they were strong enough to fight back.
To remember the plant, they named it "shanyu," literally "meeting in the mountain." It was later renamed "shanyao" as it was frequently used by TCM practitioners as a healing medicine.
Chinese yam is a "warm" herb that benefits the spleen and kidney by reinforcing energy. It helps refresh the body, increase appetite and deals with diarrhea. It is often prescribed to treat coughing and asthma. It is also said to be helpful in treating diabetes.
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