Yam, also known as Shan Yao, is a type of tuber that grows in China and Southeast Asia. It is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for its health benefits, such as nourishing the kidneys, strengthening the spleen and stomach, and replenishing qi and blood. Yam can be consumed as a food or used as a medicinal herb. Common cooking methods include boiling, stewing with meat, and stir-frying with vegetables.