Chinese yam means dioscorea opposita and is called huaishan淮山 shanyao山药 in Chinese. It is native to China. A fresh yam tuber has a thin yellowish outer skin over its crispy white flesh. Yam can be eaten in raw as add-in to salad or cooked in stir-fry or in soup. Dried yam is most commonly used in traditional Chinese tonic soups, often along with other herbs and meats. As a food medicine, Chinese yam is neutral in nature and fairly mild. With long term comsuption, it is beleived to notify deficiencies and strengthen human body and increases vitality.