Family

Orchidaceae

Genus

Gastrodia

Common Name

Tian Ma

Plant Figure

Description

Gastrodia elata (Orchidaceae), called tianma in Chinese, is a perennial monocotyledon. Its dry tuber is usually used as a precious traditional Chinese medicine Gastrodiae Rhizoma. It has the effect of relieving wind and spasmodic, calming liver Yang, removing wind, and clearing collaterals. The main active ingredients of Gastrodiae Rhizoma include gastrodin, phydroxybenzyl alcohol, parishin E, parishin B, parishin C and parishin.