Witnessed by: TCM
Gastrodia (Gastrodia elata), of the Orchidaceae family. Leafless saprophytic orchid of shaded woodland; native range: mountain forests of China, Korea, and Japan. Globally recognized as tian ma (天麻) in Chinese. The part used is tuber. Dense, translucent horn-like tuber, sweet and neutral, slightly mealy when chewed.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
GASTRODIA
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- gastrodia
- Scientific name
- Gastrodia elata Blume
- Family
- Orchidaceae
Form
- Part used
- tuber
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- TCM
- sweet
Temperature
- TCM
- neutral
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- TCM
- Liver
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- TCM
- extinguishes wind and stops tremor, calms the Liver and subdues rising yang, unblocks the channels and stops pain
Cautions
- Contraindications
- use cautiously in dizziness and headache from pronounced blood or yin deficiency without wind
- Sourcing status
- cites-ii
This is the card. Sign in for the full four-tradition entry — the aligned TCM · Ayurveda · Western · Unani reading, actions, dosing and cautions.