Can Gastrodia and Cordyceps be taken together?

Generally speaking, Gastrodia (Tianma) and Cordyceps (Dongcao) can be taken together. The detailed analysis is as follows:

Gastrodia has effects of promoting blood circulation, dispelling wind, calming internal wind, relieving convulsions, assisting in lowering blood pressure, alleviating pain, inducing calming effects, and protecting the heart. It is commonly used to treat symptoms such as limb numbness, impaired limb movement, rheumatic pain, convulsions, dizziness, and headaches. Cordyceps, on the other hand, has benefits including nourishing the lungs and kidneys, regulating liver function, preventing atherosclerosis, and modulating blood lipid levels. It is frequently used to treat conditions such as lung deficiency with cough and asthma, fatigue-induced cough with phlegm and blood, spontaneous sweating, night sweats, kidney deficiency-related impotence, seminal emission, and lumbago with sore knees.

When Gastrodia and Cordyceps are taken together, they may exert synergistic effects, potentially offering some auxiliary therapeutic benefits for conditions requiring simultaneous regulation of internal liver wind and deficiencies of the lungs and kidneys. For symptoms caused by kidney deficiency such as weakness and soreness in the lower back and knees, leg pain, osteoporosis, and tinnitus, appropriate combined use of Gastrodia and Cordyceps may help strengthen the tendons and bones. Additionally, for symptoms such as shortness of breath, panting, and cough caused by lung qi deficiency, taking Gastrodia and Cordyceps together may also help replenish the lungs and relieve asthma.

However, Gastrodia and Cordyceps are not suitable for everyone to consume. Particularly for special populations such as pregnant women, nursing mothers, children, as well as individuals with bleeding tendencies or allergic constitutions, cautious use under a doctor's guidance is recommended.