Overview
Yam is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for male sexual health. Varahikanda (Dioscorea bulbifera) is the air potato or aerial yam. It produces bulbils (air tubers) on its climbing stems. The underground tuber is large and fleshy. It is used as a Vrishya (aphrodisiac) and Balya (strengthening) drug. The tuber is nutritious and used as food after proper processing. It contains Diosgenin, an important precursor for steroid hormone synthesis. The plant belongs to the Dioscoreaceae family which includes many important yam species. Dioscorea bulbifera is noted as producing aerial bulbils. The text mentions Pueraria tuberosa (Vidari) and Ipomoea digitata (Vidari Kanda) as related but different plants. Dose: tuber powder 2-4 masha.
How Yam Helps with Male Sexual Health
According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Yam has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing male sexual health:
- Potency (Virya): Sheeta (cold)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka): Madhura (sweet)
- Taste (Rasa): Madhura (sweet), Tikta (bitter)
- Qualities (Guna): Guru (heavy), Snigdha (unctuous)
Ayurvedic Properties
- Taste (Rasa)
- Sweet (Madhura), Bitter (Tikta)
- Quality (Guna)
- Heavy (Guru), Unctuous (Snigdha)
- Potency (Virya)
- Cold (Sheeta)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka)
- Sweet (Madhura)
- Key Constituents
- Diosgenin (steroidal sapogenin), Saponin
- Also Known As
- English: Air Potato, Yam
Sanskrit: वाराहीकन्द, वाराही, वाराहकन्द, शूकरकन्द, क्रोडकन्द
Hindi: गेंठी, वाराही कन्द
Other Herbs for Male Sexual Health
See all herbs for male sexual health on the Male Sexual Health page.
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.