Dioscorea nipponica, commonly known as Japanese wild yam, has a longstanding history of use in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and East Asian herbal practice. It is primarily used to alleviate rheumatic pain, promote circulation, and address various inflammatory conditions. In traditional contexts, peripheral neuropathy is not identified as a distinct diagnosis, but symptoms such as numbness, tingling, and pain in the extremities are often treated with herbs that "invigorate blood" and "dispel wind-dampness," categories under which Dioscorea nipponica may fall. Several classical TCM texts and modern herbal compendiums mention Dioscorea nipponica for symptoms that resemble neuropathic discomfort, especially in the context of musculoskeletal disorders and chronic pain syndromes.

However, direct clinical studies or robust scientific trials validating its efficacy specifically for peripheral neuropathy are lacking. Most available research focuses on its anti-inflammatory and analgesic constituents, particularly saponins like dioscin, which have shown potential in models of inflammation and pain. These actions may theoretically benefit neuropathic symptoms, but controlled studies in humans with peripheral neuropathy are sparse. Thus, its use for peripheral neuropathy is mainly justified by traditional practice rather than scientific validation, and evidence quality is modest.