What are the effects, benefits, and methods of consumption of Tianma (Gastrodia elata)?
Nov 25, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
Introduction
Gastrodia (Tianma) is commonly known for its effects and benefits such as enhancing memory, calming the liver, nourishing yang, improving vision, boosting intelligence, lowering blood pressure, dispelling wind, and promoting circulation of blood and qi. Methods of consumption include Gastrodia powder, Gastrodia wine, Gastrodia tea, Gastrodia porridge, and Gastrodia炖chicken soup. Certain components in Gastrodia can enhance brain cell activity, improve learning ability and memory, making it particularly suitable for individuals engaged in mental work and student populations.
Gastrodia (Tianma) typically has functions and benefits such as enhancing memory, calming liver-yang, improving vision and intelligence, lowering blood pressure, dispelling wind, and promoting circulation of blood and qi. Methods of consumption include gastrodia powder, gastrodia wine, gastrodia tea, gastrodia porridge, and gastrodia stewed chicken soup. Detailed explanations are as follows:
I. Functions and Benefits
1. Enhancing Memory
Certain components in gastrodia can promote brain cell activity, enhance learning ability and memory, and are especially suitable for intellectual workers and students.
2. Calming Liver-Yang
Gastrodia can calm liver-yang, benefit the waist and knees, strengthen tendons and bones, and has certain therapeutic effects on symptoms such as dizziness, blurred vision, and red eyes caused by hypertension. Gastrodia can also regulate liver function, balance yin and yang in the body, thereby alleviating symptoms such as dizziness and headache caused by hyperactivity of liver-yang.
3. Improving Vision and Enhancing Intelligence
Gastrodia can enhance vision and the visual nerve's ability to distinguish, thereby improving eyesight and helping alleviate symptoms such as blurred vision and eye fatigue. Gastrodia can also enhance memory and improve cognitive function and memory decline.
4. Lowering Blood Pressure
Gastrodia can dilate blood vessels and reduce blood viscosity, thus exerting a hypotensive effect, making it suitable for long-term use by patients with hypertension.
5. Dispelling Wind and Promoting Circulation
Gastrodia can treat joint pain and limb numbness caused by rheumatism and can help improve meridian function and blood circulation. It can also treat symptoms such as hemiplegia and tendon or bone pain after stroke, promoting blood circulation in limbs through its wind-dispelling and circulation-promoting effects.
II. Methods of Consumption
1. Gastrodia Powder
Grind gastrodia into powder, which can be taken directly or dissolved in warm water. It is convenient to carry and use.
2. Gastrodia Wine
Wash and slice gastrodia, wolfberry, and eucommia bark, then place them into a glass bottle and soak in an appropriate amount of white liquor. This preparation can strengthen tendons and bones, but should be consumed in moderation to avoid excessive intake.
3. Gastrodia Tea
Slices or powder of gastrodia can be steeped in tea and consumed to relieve headaches and dizziness. However, the water temperature should not be too high when brewing to avoid damaging the active ingredients in gastrodia.
4. Gastrodia Porridge
Cook gastrodia together with rice to make porridge, which not only tastes delicious but also nourishes the body, particularly suitable for elderly individuals and those suffering from indigestion.
5. Gastrodia Stewed Chicken Soup
Stewing gastrodia with chicken can nourish the body and fully exert the medicinal effects of gastrodia, especially suitable for those who are weak or frequently ill.
However, gastrodia should be avoided by pregnant women, nursing mothers, and individuals allergic to gastrodia. Additionally, gastrodia should not be consumed in excessive amounts to prevent adverse effects.
