Gastrodia ~ Gastrodia elata

Gastrodia

Latin name: Gastrodia elata

Family: Orchidaceae

Part used: tuber

Habitat:E. Asia

Main constituents: vanillyl alcohol, vanillin, vitamin A, mucilage, glycoside (gastrodin)

Energetics: sweet, neutral

Main herbal actions: hypotensive, anticonvulsive

Minor herbal actions: antioxidant, free radical scavenger

Main medicinal uses: hypertension, arthritis, sciatica, headaches, paralysis

Minor medicinal uses: tetany, convulsions, epilepsy, hyperlipidemia

Preparations: pwd: 1-1.5 g qd; decoction: 3-10 g/cup water qd

Contraindications: none known

Toxicity: none known

Sources: http://www.itmonline.org/arts/gastrodia.htm; http://www.heilpflanzen-welt.de/science/1992/1470304.htm; http://www.e2121.com/herb_db/viewherb.php3?viewid=496&setlang=