Gastrodia Elata Tian Ma

Pinyin: Tian Ma Latin: Gastrodia Elata

Physical Characteristics

Perennial growing to 1m by 0.3m. It is hardy to zone 6. It is in flower from July to August. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It requires moist soil.

Family

Orchidaceae

Edible Uses*

Edible Parts: Root. Root - raw or roasted. Large.*

Traditional Chinese Medicinal (TCM) Uses*

Analgesic; Antispasmodic; Aphrodisiac; Carminative; Cholagogue; Sedative; Tonic. This species has been used in Chinese herbal medicine for over 1,500 years. The root contains a number of phenolic compounds with medicinal actions. It is a sweet, acrid, herb that is analgesic, anticonvulsive, antispasmodic, carminative, cholagogue, sedative and tonic. It is used internally in the treatment of convulsive illnesses (such as epilepsy and tetanus), rheumatoid arthritis, vertigo and numbness associated with liver disharmony. The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use. The stem is aphrodisiac and tonic.*

References

Source: Gastrodia Elata Tien Ma Plants For A Future, England 1996-2008.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

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