The unknown benefits of Chinese yam.

Introduction: Iron棍山药 (Iron Rod Chinese Yam) is a vegetable with high nutritional value. Today, I will introduce you to its little-known benefits.

Iron棍山药 is further divided into two types based on soil quality: Lǔtǔ Iron棍山药 and Shātǔ Iron棍山药. Among them, Lǔtǔ Iron棍山药, due to its hard, sticky, and dense soil, grows in a crooked and twisted shape. Although not aesthetically pleasing, it is considered the premium grade of Iron棍山药, widely accepted for its good texture and high nutritional value. Shātǔ Iron棍山药, grown in sandy soil with loose texture, has a slightly inferior taste and slightly lower nutritional value compared to Lǔtǔ Iron棍山药. It is cylindrical, 60-80 cm long, and can reach over 100 cm, with a diameter of about 2.5 cm. Its表皮 (skin) is earthy brown, densely covered with fine hairs, and has dull purple-red spots. The flesh is extremely delicate, white with a yellowish hue, firm, starchy, and has little mucilage. It does not break down after prolonged cooking, has a fragrant, slightly sweet, and exceptionally good taste, and is not greasy even after long-term consumption. It is both medicinal and edible.

Iron棍山药 Stewed Pork Ribs

Medicinal and Edible Value

Iron棍山药 is a precious traditional Chinese medicine, praised by physicians of past dynasties as a "longevity factor" and a fine remedy and delicacy for both medicinal and culinary use. As a traditional Chinese medicine, it can be made into various pills, such as Liuwei Dihuang Wan, for consumption. As a food, its delicate and smooth texture gives it a unique flavor, as seen in dishes like Bāsī Shānyáo (Candied Chinese Yam) and Zǎoní Shānyáo (Chinese Yam with Jujube Paste). Iron棍山药 contains saponins, mucilage, choline, yam alkaloids, starch, glycoproteins, free amino acids, polyphenol oxidase, vitamin C, iodine, 16 amino acids, and various trace elements such as iron, copper, zinc, manganese, and calcium.

Chinese Yam is sweet in taste, neutral in nature, and non-toxic. It strengthens the spleen, nourishes the lungs, secures the kidneys, benefits the brain, replenishes essence and beautifies the complexion, anti-aging, anti-tumor, anti-fatigue, anti-irritation from harmful substances, regulates metabolism, enhances immune function, promotes growth, regulates endocrine system, regulates cardiopulmonary function, stimulates the hematopoietic system, and regulates the nervous system.

1. Tonifying the Middle Jiao and Qi: Due to its richness in 18 amino acids, more than 10 trace elements, and other minerals, Iron棍山药 has the effects of strengthening the spleen and stomach, nourishing the lungs and kidneys, tonifying the middle jiao and qi, strengthening the spleen and replenishing deficiency, securing the kidneys and replenishing essence, and calming the mind and spirit. Li Shizhen's "Compendium of Materia Medica" states that it "strengthens the spleen and replenishes, nourishes essence and secures the kidneys, cures various diseases, and treats the five labors and seven injuries."

2. Relieving Thirst and Promoting Salivation: This yam has the effect of relieving thirst and promoting salivation. In traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions for treating consumptive thirst (diabetes), Chinese Yam is often used alone or in combination with other herbs for better results.

Iron棍山药 Stir-fried with Black Fungus

3. Health Care: Fresh Chinese Yam is rich in various vitamins, amino acids, and minerals. It can prevent and treat abnormal human lipid metabolism and arteriosclerosis, and also helps maintain the normal function of insulin. It has health benefits such as enhancing human immunity, calming the mind and spirit, relieving cough and calming asthma, and delaying aging.

4. Beauty Care: Yuan Dynasty spleen and stomach expert Li Jing said: "To treat dry skin, use this to moisten it." Li Shizhen wrote: "Chinese Yam can moisten the skin and hair." Chinese Yam has a unique therapeutic effect for nourishing the skin and beautifying the complexion.

5. Special Pharmacological Functions: Copper ions in Chinese yam are greatly helpful to human development and have a significant therapeutic effect on vascular system diseases. The calcium in Iron棍山药 has a high therapeutic effect on muscle and bone injuries, osteoporosis, and tooth loss. It is also very effective for patients with chilblains, diabetes, hepatitis, infantile diarrhea, enuresis, infantile indigestion, ulcerative stomatitis, tuberculosis, and women's leukorrhea. Long-term use can improve hearing and vision, and prolong life.

Iron棍山药 Braised Chicken Wing Mid Sections