Yam has the following functions:
1. Traditional Chinese medicines for lowering blood pressure, such as Liuwei Dihuang Pill, Bawei Dihuang Pill and Guishao Dihuang Pill, are all famous prescriptions made of yam, which are used to treat not only kidney deficiency, but also hypertension, diabetes, asthma, neurasthenia and lumbago.
2. Anti-aging Modern science has proved that yam can significantly reduce the activity of enzymes that accelerate the aging of the body. Bawei Dihuang Pill containing yam is mainly used to treat postpartum sweating. Baoyuan Qingjiang Decoction and Baoyuan Hanjiang Decoction can treat hematemesis and nosebleeds. Cold drenching soup and ointment drenching soup can cure drenching insects. Yam can also treat tuberculosis, typhoid fever and gynecological diseases, which is conducive to prolonging life.
3. Anti-tumor effect Yam tuber is rich in polysaccharide, which can stimulate and regulate human immune system. Therefore, it is often used as a health care drug to enhance immunity. Dioscorea opposita polysaccharide can antagonize the cellular immune suppression caused by cyclophosphamide and restore some or all of the suppressed cellular immune functions to normal. Yam can also enhance the phagocytosis of white blood cells. For example, Liuwei Dihuang Pill can treat chronic nephritis, hypertension, diabetes, neurasthenia and other diseases. Baizhi Dihuang Pill can treat ankylosing spondylitis, gynecological fetal leakage, vulvar itching, amenorrhea and other symptoms of yin deficiency and excessive fire. Guishao Dihuang Pill can treat otodynia due to yin deficiency, tinnitus and spontaneous sweating.
4. Allantoin contained in yam can be used to treat skin diseases, such as chapped hands and feet, ichthyosis and various keratotic skin diseases, because it has anesthetic and analgesic effects, and can promote epithelial growth, diminish inflammation and inhibit bacteria.