Tian Ma (Rhizoma Gastrodiae)

Tian Ma

Tian Ma (Rhizoma Gastrodiae) is from the tuber of Gastrodia elata BI., family Orchidaceae. The medicinal material is collected in the winter and spring when the plant buds, or when the stem is dried. It is then boiled in water, or steamed and dried over a mild fire.

Category: Calm the liver to extinguish wind.

Common Name: Gastrodia Rhizome.

Channels Enetered: Liver.

Properties and Functions: Tian Ma is sweet in flavour and mild in nature. It extingusihes interior Wind to stop convulsions, calms the Liver and supresses Yang.

Indications: Clinical indications for use include:

  • Internal Liver-Wind with convulsions.
  • Dizziness and headache due to hyperactivity of Liver-Yang and for Wind-Phlegm.
  • Painful obstruction caused by Wind and Dampness, numbness of the extremities and shaking of the hands and feet.

Dosage: 3 – 10g

Cautions and Contra-Indications: None.