Chinese Yam - Dioscorea opposita Rhizoma - Shan Yao - Organic Grade

From China

Mountain medicine, from Henan. Shan yao means mountain medicine. The best of it comes from a small district of Henan around Huaiqing, and the local name huaishan works the way a wine appellation does - a mark of where it grew rather than what it is.

It is a true yam, unrelated to the sweet potato, and it is one of the clearest examples of the Chinese idea that food and medicine are the same category. It sits in the herb market dried in white slices and in the vegetable market fresh by the kilo, and nobody finds that strange.

How it is used: the dried slices go into soups and decoctions, most often with jujube and goji. Bland and starchy on its own, faintly sweet, and it thickens whatever it is cooked in.

Chinese Yam – Dioscorea opposita Rhizoma – Shan Yao – Organic

Botanical Name: Dioscorea opposita

Common Names: Chinese Yam / Shan Yao / 山药 / 山藥

Grade: USDA Certified Organic (Tested free of sulfur and pesticide residues)

Origin: Grown and harvested in Henan Province, China

Product Overview

Chinese Yam, known as Shan Yao , is a time-honored culinary botanical widely featured in traditional East Asian kitchens.

Mildly sweet and neutral in character, it is often enjoyed in soups, congee, and traditional simmered teas, where it brings a gentle, nourishing quality to classic recipes.

Our USDA Certified Organic Shan Yao is carefully sliced and naturally dried, maintaining its smooth texture, light aroma, and traditional culinary character. Free from sulfur, pesticides, and chemical additives, it offers a clean, food-grade ingredient suitable for everyday herbal cooking.

How to Use

Soups & Congee

• Add 10–20 g to chicken, bone broth, or rice congee for a mild, comforting flavor.

Tea & Decoction

• Simmer 8–10 g in water for 20–25 minutes as part of a traditional warm beverage.

Culinary & Traditional Blends

• Commonly combined with Red Dates, Goji Berry, or Lotus Seed in seasonal recipes.

Intended Use & Preparation

• Not for direct consumption in dry form.

• Must be cooked, simmered, or steeped before consuming.

• Simmer for at least 15 minutes for traditional preparations.

Features

• USDA Certified Organic

• Free of sulfur, pesticides, and preservatives

• Low-temperature dried to preserve natural character

• Packed in resealable pouches for freshness

• Traceable to the growing region

• Suitable for teas, decoctions, and traditional herbal cooking

Traditional Context (TCM Framework)

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Shan Yao is traditionally described as sweet and neutral in nature.

It is associated with the Lung, Spleen, and Kidney channels in classical herbal theory and is frequently used in traditional food therapy, congee recipes, and slow-simmered herbal soups.

Shan Yao is known in traditional herbal culture for its harmonizing and grounding character, and is often included in everyday nourishing dishes passed down through generations.

Important Notes

• Sold as a raw food-grade ingredient, not a finished dietary supplement.

• Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

• Best used under the guidance of a trained herbal practitioner.

• These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.