The pace of winter life in the countryside is relatively slow, and villagers sometimes take advantage of their free time to head to the mountains in search of some wild goods to earn extra income. Among them, wild yam is a popular plant, whether it is eaten at home or **, you can get a good income. Wild yam refers to the cultivation of yam that has not been domesticated and improved, and the nutritional value of wild yam is higher than that of domesticated yam sold in the market. They have certain differences in appearance and quality, so rural villagers prefer wild yams that they eat themselves.
Wild yam belongs to the winding herbaceous vines of the family Dioscaceae and the genus Dioscoreae, which originated in China and was recorded in the "Classic of Mountains and Seas" in the pre-Qin period. Wild yam is very common in rural and mountainous areas, especially in recent years, the improvement of the environment, people's demand for wild yam collection is relatively reduced, so wild yam can often be encountered in the mountains. The stems of wild yams are purplish-red, smooth**, and the leaves are ovate-triangular. Wild yams bloom from June to September, and fruiting from July to November. Now it is the best period of digging wild yams, and the leaves of wild yams at this time have begun to turn yellow, and even some have fallen off or withered. The underground stems of wild yams are long cylindrical and grow vertically downward, and they can reach up to 1 meter long in good condition. The flesh of the wild yam is white, and there are filaments at the fractures, which are slightly sticky to the touch. However, unfortunately, the yield of wild yams is not high, and each time a yam plant is found, it is only enough to eat one meal.
Wild yams are distributed in all provinces of China and are commonly found on hillsides or in bushes. It has a higher economic value compared to commercially available domesticated yams. Wild yam mainly has three major functions, which are worth knowing about farmers. First of all, wild yams are edible, and their nutritional value is extremely high. The main ingredients of wild yam include protein, carbohydrates, and starch, making it ideal as an ingredient. Wild yams can be eaten in a variety of ways, and can be eaten directly after steaming, stir-fried or boiled in soup. In particular, stewed pork ribs with wild yam are not only delicious in soup, but also have the effects of nourishing and moisturizing, benefiting kidney qi, and strengthening the spleen and stomach, which is very suitable for eating in autumn and winter.
Secondly, wild yams have medicinal properties. Wild yams can be used as both ingredients and medicinal materials, and have extremely high medicinal value. It is recorded in "Shennong's Materia Medica": "Wild yam has long been obedient and intelligent, light and not hungry, and prolongs life." In addition, Li Shizhen also mentioned in the "Compendium of Materia Medica" that wild yam has a variety of effects, including invigorating kidney qi, strengthening the spleen and stomach, relieving diarrhea, dissolving phlegm and salivation, moistening the skin and hair, etc. Modern studies have found that the mucopolysaccharide components contained in yam also have the effect of lowering blood sugar. For families with diabetes, the frequency of yam consumption can be appropriately increased.
In the mountains of the countryside, wild yam is a plant that is favored by farmers. Its high nutritional value and wide range of uses make wild yam an important part of increasing the income of mountain villages. Although the excavation of wild yams is difficult, through the edible and medicinal use of wild yams, farmers can make full use of this precious resource. In the cultivation and collection of wild yams, we need to respect the natural environment, make rational use of resources, and learn Xi scientific planting and collection methods to protect our natural resources and promote the sustainable development of rural areas. The value of wild yam is not only reflected in the economic aspect, but also in the foods and medicines that promote health and nutrients. It is hoped that through the introduction of this article, more people can understand and pay attention to wild yams, so that this precious natural resource can continue to develop.
Before concluding, I would like to highlight some things to be aware of when eating wild yams and using them medicinally. First of all, the collection and consumption of wild yams should pay attention to the hygiene and safety of the wild environment. Clean and uncontaminated wild yams should be selected, and they should be thoroughly washed and cooked before consumption to ensure food safety. Secondly, although wild yam has a lot of nutritional and medicinal value, everyone's physique and physical condition are different, and you need to eat it in moderation according to your own situation when eating it to avoid discomfort caused by overdose. Finally, for people with diseases, especially those who have been taking drugs for a long time, wild yam and other medicinal materials should be used rationally under the guidance of a doctor to avoid adverse reactions or affect the efficacy of other drugs.
All in all, as a precious plant resource, wild yam is not only widely distributed in rural mountainous areas, but also extremely valuable. Its rich nutrients and medicinal value make it a valuable resource worth developing and utilizing for farmers. Through the scientific and rational cultivation and utilization of wild yams, farmers' incomes can be increased** and the sustainable development of rural areas can be promoted. At the same time, we must always maintain the awe and protection of the natural environment, through scientific planting and collection, rational use of wild yam resources, so that this precious plant can bloom in the mountain village. At the same time, we should also strengthen our knowledge and understanding of wild yams, learn Xi scientific planting and collection methods, improve economic benefits and protect the natural environment, so that wild yams, a valuable resource, can be sustained.
If you have seen wild yams in the wild, or have any thoughts and wants to say about wild yams, please leave a message in the comment area, let us come together and share.