Gastrodiae Rhizoma
Aliases：Chi Jian, Ding Feng Cao, Du Yao Zhi, Shen Cao, Li Mu, Gui Du You
Tianma (Gastrodiae Rhizoma), a Chinese medicinal, is the dried tuber of Gastrodia elata Bl., a plant of the Orchidaceae family (genus Gastrodia).
Efficacy & Actions
Calm endogenous wind and relieve spasm, suppress hyperactive liver yang, dispel wind and unblock meridians.
Indications
Convulsions and epilepsy due to endogenous liver wind, vertigo and headache, numbness of limbs, rheumatic arthralgia.
Modern Pharmacology
Central Nervous System Sedative and anticonvulsant: Gastrodin reduces convulsions and prolongs sleep. Neuroprotective: Reduces cerebral ischemia‑reperfusion injury and inhibits neuronal apoptosis. Improves memory: Gastrodin ameliorates memory impairment. Cardiovascular System Lowers blood pressure: Dilates blood vessels and reduces peripheral resistance. Anti‑platelet aggregation: Inhibits thrombus formation. Anti‑myocardial ischemia: Reduces myocardial ischemia‑reperfusion injury. Others Anti‑inflammatory and analgesic Antioxidant Immunomodulatory Hepatoprotective Hypolipidemic (lowers blood lipids)
Ingredients
Phenolics and glycosides: Gastrodin, gastrodigenin (p‑hydroxybenzyl alcohol), parishin compounds (parishin A, B, C, etc.). Gastrodin and parishins are the quality control markers in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Sterols: β‑Sitosterol, stigmasterol, etc. Organic acids: Citric acid, succinic acid, palmitic acid, etc. Polysaccharides: Gastrodia polysaccharides. Others: Gastrodin ether (tianma ether glycoside), adenosine, amino acids, and various trace elements.
Usage & Dosage
Decoction: 3–10 g in decoction. Powder form: 1–1.5 g each time, taken orally.
Contraindications
1. It should not be used alone in patients with yin deficiency with blazing fire, blood deficiency with blood dryness, internal exuberance of excess heat, or deficiency of both qi and blood. 2. Elderly individuals and infants/young children should not take large doses for a prolonged period (due to its central nervous system depressant effects). 3. Patients with bradycardia or hypotension should not take large doses for a long time (because Tianma may slow the heart rate and lower blood pressure). 4. Patients with allergic or autoimmune diseases should not take large doses over a long period (due to its immunomodulatory/enhancing effects). 5. Pregnant women should not take Tianma alone in large doses for a prolonged period.
Selected Formulas
1. Vertigo and Headache Liver yang hyperactivity: Combine with Uncariae Ramulus cum Uncis (Gouteng), Haliotidis Concha (Shijueming), Scutellariae Radix (Huangqin), and Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix (Niuxi) – as in Tianma Gouteng Yin (Gastrodia and Uncaria Decoction). Wind-phlegm disturbing upward: Combine with Pinelliae Rhizoma (Banxia), Poria (Fuling), and Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Baizhu) – as in Banxia Baizhu Tianma Tang (Pinellia, Atractylodes and Gastrodia Decoction). Migraine or unilateral/bilateral headache (wind pathogen attacking upward): Combine with Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuanxiong), Schizonepetae Herba (Jingjie), Pinelliae Rhizoma (Banxia), and Aucklandiae Radix (Muxiang). Liver blood deficiency: Combine with Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui) and Paeoniae Radix Alba (Baishao). 2. Infantile Convulsion, Stroke, and Tetanus Acute infantile convulsion (fright wind): Combine with Uncariae Ramulus cum Uncis (Gouteng), Bombyx Batryticatus (Jiangcan), and Scorpio (Quanxie). If wind-phlegm with heat, add Arisaematis Cum Bile (Dannanxing) and Bambusae Concretio Silicea (Tianzhuhuang). Chronic infantile convulsion (slow fright wind): Combine with Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen), Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Baizhu), and Scorpio (Quanxie). Stroke with facial paralysis and numbness of the limbs: Combine with Uncariae Ramulus cum Uncis (Gouteng), Paeoniae Radix Alba (Baishao), Pheretima (Dilong), and Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix (Niuxi). Tetanus (convulsions, opisthotonos): Combine with Arisaematis Rhizoma (Tiannanxing), Saposhnikoviae Radix (Fangfeng), Angelicae Dahuricae Radix (Baizhi), Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix (Qianghuo), and Typhonii Rhizoma (Baifuzi) – as in Yuzhen San (Jade Real Powder). 3. Rheumatic Arthralgia and Joint Stiffness Combine with Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Baizhu), Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata (Fuzi), Zingiberis Rhizoma (Ganjiang), and Scorpio (Quanxie) – as in Tianma Jiu (Gastrodia Wine). 4. Red Eyes with Corneal Opacity and Blurred Vision Combine with Angelicae Sinensis Radix (Danggui), Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata (Shudihuang), Cicadae Periostracum (Chanyi), Equiseti Hiemalis Herba (Muzei), and Chrysanthemi Flos (Juhua) – as in Tianma Tuiyi San (Gastrodia Opacity‑Removing Powder).
Daily Consumption
1. Tianma Stewed Chicken Ingredients: 10 g Tianma (Gastrodiae Rhizoma), 1 hen, 5 red dates, 10 g goji berries. Preparation: Blanch the chicken, then stew with Tianma, red dates, and goji berries for 2 hours. Action: Calms liver wind and nourishes deficiency. Used for vertigo, headache, and numbness of limbs. 2. Tianma Fish Head Soup Ingredients: 10 g Tianma, 1 fish head, 3 g Chuanxiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong), 3 g Baizhi (Angelica dahurica), 3 slices fresh ginger. Preparation: Stew all ingredients with the fish head for 1.5 hours. Action: Dispels wind and relieves pain. Used for migraine and vertigo. 3. Tianma Tea Ingredients: 3–5 g Tianma (sliced). Preparation: Steep in boiling water, cover and let infuse for 10 minutes, then drink as tea. Action: Suppresses hyperactive liver yang. Used for vertigo due to hypertension. 4. Tianma Steamed Egg Ingredients: 2 g Tianma powder, 2 eggs. Preparation: Beat the eggs well, add Tianma powder, mix, and steam until set. Action: Calms endogenous wind and relieves spasm. Used for post‑convulsion sequelae in children or vertigo.
Medicinal Parts
tuber
Selection & Storage
Store in a well‑ventilated, dry place, protected from mold and insects. Tianma (Gastrodiae Rhizoma) is rich in starch and sugar, making it prone to moisture absorption and mold growth. For long‑term storage, it is recommended to keep it in a sealed container and refrigerate (0–8°C).