Gastrodia (Tian Ma)

Gastrodia is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb that has been used for over 2000 years. Wild gastrodia mainly grows in mountainous areas of Southwest and Northeast China. The part for medical use is its tuber, which is fat, solid and yellowish white. Wild gastrodia is in short supply now because of the deterioration of their living environment. Most gastrodia sold on the markets are grown on medicinal herbal farms. Gastrodia proves to be most effective in treating headache, high blood pressure and hemiplegia caused by apoplexy.