<jats:p> With the increasing exploration of unconventional wells, such as horizontal wells and complex wells, and the increasingly strict national environmental protection regulations, drilling fluid lubricants are in increasing demand. High-performance and environment-friendly lubricants for water-based drilling fluids are urgently needed. In this work, Chinese yam (Dioscorea oppositifolia L.) was investigated as a drilling fluid lubricant; the effects of Chinese yam slurry on drilling fluid lubricating properties at different temperatures were investigated and the compatibility and inhibitory properties of Chinese yam slurry were studied. The results show that the viscosity coefficient of the mud cake is reduced by 44.5% as 1.5% Chinese yam slurry was added to water-based drilling fluids. Chinese yam also has certain temperature resistance in drilling fluids, and it can inhibit the swelling of clay. Chinese yam slurry is competitively compatible with other drilling fluid additives, and the lubricity of modified drilling fluids can also be improved effectively. The lubrication mechanism of Chinese yam slurry was investigated through thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and contact angle tests. </jats:p>