☯ TCM Properties
Dispels Wind and eliminates Dampness; Invigorates the Blood, unblocks the collaterals and relaxes the sinews; Transforms Phlegm and alleviates cough
Traditional Chinese Uses
Chuan Shan Long is the dried rhizome of Dioscorea nipponica (Dioscoreaceae), a bitter, neutral herb that dispels Wind-Dampness while invigorating the Blood and unblocking the channels and collaterals. Entering the Liver, Lung, and Kidney channels, it is a mainstay for Wind-Damp painful obstruction (bi syndrome) with joint pain, stiffness, and numbness, and for traumatic injury, lumbar sprain, and stubborn sinew-and-bone pain, where it relaxes the sinews and frees movement. A second role is in the Lung: it transforms Phlegm and stops cough and wheezing in chronic bronchitis and phlegm-heat cough. Usual dose is 6-9 g decocted (larger amounts of fresh material), and it is commonly steeped in wine for chronic joint complaints. Its steroidal saponins underlie modern anti-inflammatory interest; it is used cautiously in pregnancy.
Western Herbalism Properties
Botanical Description
Chuan Shan Long is the dried rhizome of Dioscorea nipponica Makino (Dioscoreaceae), a perennial twining vine of cool temperate forests across northeastern China, Korea, Japan, and the Russian Far East. The plant climbs to several meters via slender herbaceous stems bearing alternate, deeply five- to seven-lobed cordate leaves; small dioecious yellow-green flowers give rise to three-winged capsules. The horizontal rhizome is cylindrical, branched, and tough, rich in steroidal saponins including dioscin, which is a commercial precursor for diosgenin. In traditional Chinese medicine it is bitter and slightly cool, entering the Liver and Lung channels; it dispels wind-damp, unblocks the channels, relieves pain, transforms phlegm, and stops cough. It is used for rheumatic joint pain, lumbar pain, chronic bronchitis, and traumatic injury.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 9-15g | Daily | — | — | — |
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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