This product is the tuber of Dioscorea bulbifera L., a perennial herbaceous twining vine of the Chinese Yam family. It is primarily produced in Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, and other regions. It is harvested in autumn and winter. After removing the roots, leaves, and fibrous roots, it is washed, sliced, and dried for use.

bubble_chart Properties and Meridians

Bitter, neutral, toxic. Act on lung and liver meridians.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Dispersing phlegm and softening hardness, clearing heat and removing toxin.

bubble_chart Indications

1. Used for goiter. This product can disperse phlegm and soften hardness, dissipate nodules and eliminate goiter. It can be used alone, such as in the "Doumen Fang" for treating neck goiter and swelling, where it is soaked in wine and consumed; it can also be used in combination with seaweed, oyster shell, and other medicinal combinations.
2. Used for sores, ulcers, swelling and toxicity, sore throat, and poisonous snake bites. This product can clear heat and remove toxins, and can be used alone or in combination with other heat-clearing and detoxifying medicinals. In modern times, it is used to treat various tumors such as thyroid, esophagus, nasopharynx, lung, liver, stomach, and rectum, often combined with seaweed, Hedyotis, Appendiculate Cremastra Pseudobulb, and other anti-tumor medications.
3. In addition, this product also has the effect of cooling blood and stopping bleeding, and can be used for hematemesis, epistaxis, hemoptysis, etc., caused by blood heat; it also has the effect of relieving cough and calming panting, and can be used to treat cough, panting, whooping cough, etc.

bubble_chart Documentation

1. Kaibao Bencao: "Treats malignant swelling, sores, fistulas, pharyngitis, and venomous snake and dog bites."
2. Bencao Gangmu: "Cools blood, reduces fire, dissipates goiter, and removes toxins."

bubble_chart Usage and Dosage

Decoct and take 5-15g; take 1-2g as powder.

bubble_chart Cautions and Contraindications

This product is toxic and should not be taken in excess. Overdose or prolonged use may cause gastrointestinal reactions such as vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, and may cause certain damage to the liver. Therefore, it should be used with caution by those with spleen-stomach weakness and liver function impairment.

bubble_chart Modern Pharmacology

Air Potato contains furan demethylated diterpenoids, Air Potato terpenes A, B, C, saponins, and trace amounts of iodine. It has a certain therapeutic effect on goiter in animals caused by iodine deficiency. It inhibits isolated intestinal tracts while stimulating the uterus. Additionally, it has hemostatic effects. The decoction prepared with water exhibits antibacterial properties. Air Potato is somewhat toxic and can cause burning pain in the mouth and tongue, salivation, nausea, vomiting, and constricted pupils. In severe cases, it may lead to unconsciousness, difficulty breathing, cardiac paralysis, and death.