Most of us are not very familiar with traditional Chinese medicine. Wild yam is a medicinal and edible ingredient that has the effects of dispelling wind, clearing heat, promoting blood circulation, and regulating menstruation. So what are the benefits of eating wild yam? Today, I will teach you how to identify wild yam!
Image of wild yam
【What are the benefits of eating wild yam?】
Wild yam is harvested during the fruit ripening period (June to October) after the Dragon Boat Festival. Even if you are more than 20 meters away from the wild yam, you can still smell its strong and pleasant fragrance, hence its nickname "fragrance all over the ground".
Wild yam is known for its resistance to cold, drought, shade, barrenness, and waterlogging. It can thrive even when planted in sandy soil or gaps between rocks where no other plants can grow.
The fruit of wild yam is spherical, with a diameter of 1.5 to 2.5 centimeters. The young fruit is green, and when it ripens, it turns pale red and emits a fragrant and sweet aroma.
Wild yam is highly nutritious, with a wide range of essential nutrients and abundant microelements. It is also rich in dietary fiber, which promotes intestinal peristalsis and improves symptoms of indigestion and chronic constipation.
In terms of consumption, wild yam can be eaten in the same way as most fruits. You can peel it and eat it directly, or cut it open with a knife and use a small spoon to scoop out the pulp.
In addition, when we are injured and bleeding outdoors, we can also use mashed wild yam to stop the bleeding. It is especially suitable for the elderly, pregnant women, and people who are bedridden for a long time.
【How to identify wild yam】
Wild yam is a perennial deciduous vine with a milky latex. It has aerial roots that cling to trees or rocks. The stem is cylindrical or slightly flattened, brown, and highly branched.
The leaves are alternate, with a leaf stalk of 1 to 2 centimeters. There are 2 stipules, conical in shape with a pointed tip and entire margin. The leaf blade is ovate, ovate-elliptic, or elliptic, measuring about 3 to 6 centimeters in length and 2 to 4 centimeters in width. The apex is blunt or pointed, the edges have wavy serrations, and the base is round or heart-shaped. The upper surface is green with stiff hairs, and the lower surface is lighter in color with hairy veins.
The flowers of wild yam are unisexual and numerous. Both male and female flowers are borne within the fleshy bracts of the inflorescence. The inflorescence is flattened and spherical, reddish-brown in color, and partially buried in the ground on prostrate branches. The fruit is small. The flowering period is from April to May.
