Collected Illustrations of the Three Realms, Volume 8: Grasses and Trees

Page 10

Yellow Yam

original: 黃藥 (huangyao); Dioscorea bulbifera. Commonly known today as the Air Potato or Yellow Yam. In traditional medicine, it is valued for its ability to cool the blood and reduce swelling.

The root of the Yellow Yam grows in the Lingnan region A geographical area of southern China covering the Guangdong and Guangxi regions.. Today, it is also found in the prefectures of Kuixia, as well as within the mountains of Ming, Yue, Qin, and Long. Those harvested from Zhong and Wan prefectures are considered the superior variety. It grows as a climbing vine, reaching three to four feet in height. Both its roots and stems resemble those of the small mulberry tree. The roots are typically harvested in the tenth month of the lunar calendar.

The variety produced in Qin prefecture is known as the "Red Medicinal Seed" original: 紅藥子 (hongyaozi). Its leaves resemble those of buckwheat, and its stalks are reddish in color. It blooms with white flowers in the seventh month. When the roots are first harvested and still damp, they are a vibrant red; however, once they are dried in the sun, they turn yellow.

Kaizhou and the Yuan Prefecture produce another variety called the "Bitter Medicinal Seed" original: 苦藥子 (kuyaozi), which is generally similar to the Yellow Yam.

The Yellow Yam root has a bitter taste, a balanced nature In traditional pharmacology, a "balanced" (ping) nature means the herb is neither significantly heating nor cooling to the body's internal environment., and is non-toxic. It is primarily used to treat various malignant swellings, sores, fistulas, throat obstructions Likely referring to severe sore throats or goiters., and the venomous bites of snakes or dogs. To use it, take the root and grind it into a fine powder to be ingested. It can also be held in the mouth or applied topically to the affected area.

Vocabulary: Yellow Yam, Lingnan region, Kuixia region, Red Medicinal Seed, Bitter Medicinal Seed, Collected Illustrations of the Three Realms, Grasses and Trees, Medicinal Substances