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More
Information:
Other
Common Names
Gastrodia
Page
Number In Radiant Health
208
Pharmaceutical
Latin
Gastrodiae Elatae, Rhizoma
Pinyin
Tian Ma
Treasures
Treasure
Rating
1/2*
Atmospheric
Energy
Slightly Warm
Qualities
Gastrodia (1/2 « ) is one of the most precious of the
medicinal herbs used in Chinese herbalism. It affects
the liver function. It is primarily used to counter the
symptoms caused by "endogenous wind," which
manifests in conditions such as childhood convulsions,
convulsions resulting from high fever, headaches and
epilepsy induced by fright. Gastrodia is commonly used
to treat spasms in the legs, abdomen, feet and back.
It is the main herb in formulas used to treat childhood
convulsions. But there are different causes of childhood
convulsions and a medical practitioner should be the one
to select the herbs that are combined with the Gastrodia.
It is rarely used alone. It is combined in sophisticated
formulas designed to treat each specific problem.
Gastrodia is the main herb used in Chinese herbalism to
treat headaches. The Chinese describe at least four
primary headache syndromes, with many subtle variations,
for which Gastrodia is effective. These are: (1)
headaches caused by hyperactivity of Liver Yang, (2)
headaches caused by upward movement of wind-phlegm, (3)
headaches caused by deficiency of Blood and Yin, and (4)
chronic headaches and migraines. Formulas for the
various headaches will be described in a later section.
Gastrodia is also used to treat chronic dizziness and
vertigo. These too are "endogenous wind"
conditions. Also, Gastrodia is used in formulas to treat
windstroke, hemiplegia and numbness of the limbs. In
China, it has been used to treat tetanus, but if you
step on a rusty nail, hurry to a doctor and get a
tetanus shot.
In addition, Gastrodia is beneficial for preventing
premature graying and loss of the hair. It improves
circulation in the scalp, and when combined with He Shou
Wu, it stimulates circulation in the follicles and
promotes the health of the hair. It is therefor used
both internally and externally as a hair tonic.
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Gastrodia
wonderful herb which is said to open the energy in the
upper part of the body. It is used to relieve dizziness
and headaches and is one of the most important herbs
used to increase the flow of energy to the brain and
improve intelligence.