Dioscorea zingiberensis
Dioscorea zingiberensis, commonly known as ginger yam, is a medicinal tuber valued in traditional herbalism. Belonging to the Dioscoreaceae family, this plant contains bioactive compounds with potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It is primarily utilized in various cultures to support digestive health and manage various systemic ailments naturally.
- Scientific name: Dioscorea zingiberensis
- Family: Dioscoreaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Dioscoreales, it is classified under the family Dioscoreaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by its placement within the genus Dioscorea.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Dioscoreales | WCVP |
| Family | Dioscoreaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Dioscorea | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Dioscorea zingiberensis, is known by several different common names depending on the linguistic and regional context. In Chinese, it is referred to by the names 盾叶薯蓣, 火头根, and 黄姜. Furthermore, in Vietnamese, it is commonly called củ mài gừng.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 盾叶薯蓣 | Wikidata |
| vi | củ mài gừng | Wikidata |
| zh | 火头根 | Wikidata |
| zh | 黄姜 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range across several key regions in Asia. Within China, its presence is documented across the South-Central territories. It also extends into the North-Central regions of China. Furthermore, the species can be found throughout China Southeast. Beyond China, its distribution includes the Indo-China region, specifically within Vietnam.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | China North-Central | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Vietnam | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Dioscorea zingiberensis, is characterized by several distinct morphological features used in its medicinal preparation. The most significant parts are the underground storage organs, which include both fleshy rhizomes and starchy tubers. Specifically, the thick rhizome contains the concentrated active compounds, while the rounded tubers serve as the primary energy reserves for the plant. Above the ground, the plant displays lush green foliage consisting of broad leaves, where each individual leaf is essential for photosynthesis to support the growth of the subterranean structures.- Total parts
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 13
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| rhizomes | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| rhizome | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| tubers | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| edible rhizomes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| apical meristem | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Rhizoma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Dioscorea zingiberensis has 38 reported phytochemicals identified across 60 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include diosgenin, cholesterol, dioscin, protodeltonin, parvifloside.
- Total chemicals
- 38
- Scientific sources
- 60
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| diosgenin | 13 | ★★★★★ |
| cholesterol | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| dioscin | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| protodeltonin | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| parvifloside | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| phytosterols | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| C16:0 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| C18:1 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| C18:3 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| C22:0 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Dioscorea zingiberensis has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antimicrobial, Cardiovascular.
- Total activities
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cardiovascular | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Dioscorea zingiberensis has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cardiovascular disease, cardiovascular diseases, hyperlipidemia, neuroprotection, rheumatic arthritis.
- Total uses
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cardiovascular disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cardiovascular diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hyperlipidemia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| neuroprotection | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rheumatic arthritis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |