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Dactylorhiza, Finger root

Marsh Orchid
Salam Panja, Munjataka (Ayurveda)
Dbang lag  དབང་ལག  (Tibetan)
Hong Men Lan (China)

Picture
Picture
A species of Dactylorhiza, listed as 'Female Orchid' and used as Salep.
Herbarum Vivae Eicones
, Otto Brunfels, 1530

Picture
Wild Finger root (Dactylorhiza hatagirea)
(Photo by Manas Badge)

Picture
Finger root, Chengdu Herbal Medcine Market (Adam, 2016)

Botanical name:
Dactylorhiza hatagirea (syn. Orchis latifolia var. indica, O. hatagirea
A number of related species are used synonymously including D. incarnata and D. romana (used in Turkey and Iran as Salep), D. salina (Tibet), D. umbrosa etc.

Parts used:
Root / Tuber
Widely distributed throughout the Himalayas, Western China, Tibet, Afghanistan, central Asia and Europe.

Temperature & Taste:
Neutral/Slightly Warm, moist. Sweet

Uses:
1. Strengthens Kidneys, Nourishes Yin, Benefits Yang: (Unani, Ayurveda, Tibet)
-viewed as an aphrodisiac
-Impotence, Infertility; enhances Libido and Fertility, increases testosterone
-chronic Kidney disease, Diabetes
-lower back pain
-premature ageing; regarded as a Longevity tonic

2. Benefits Spleen and Qi: (Unani, Ayurveda, Tibet)
-strengthening tonic; increases strength;
-useful after chronic illness and convalescence
-Nervous debility
-Fatigue, poor appetite
-lowered Immunity

3. Nourishes Yin, Clears Heat: (Unani, Ayurveda, Tibet)
-Chronic Fever, Weakness and Wasting
-Gout, Erysipelas
-also for Thirst

4. Clears Phlegm, Benefits Lungs:
-Cough, Hoarseness

5. Externally:
-paste of the roots are applied to Fractures in India
-root powder is applied to Wounds to stop bleeding (Nepal)


DOSE:
As a nutritious tonic it is often prepared with Milk, as in Salep.
2–6 grams in Powder

COMMENT:
1. Dactylorhiza was formerly grouped under Orchis. This is one of a number of species of Orchid that has supplied Salep.
2. Due to over-harvesting, it has become critically endangered in some regions.

SUBSTITUTE:
1. This has been used as a substitute for Salep, Orchis (Satyrion).
2. See Orchis (Satyrion) for various other substitutes.

Main Combinations:
1. As a Kidney tonic and Aphrodisiac:
i. Dactylorhiza with Withania, Asparagus, Soloman's Seal (as in Gso Byed 6 Pa of Tibetan Medicine)
ii. to the above can be added Cordyceps for more severe conditions.
2. Chronic Cough, Breathlessness, Dactylorhiza with Rhodiola, Licorice

Major Formulas:
Gso Byed 6 Pa

Cautions:
None noted

Main Preparations used:


Research:
1. Aphrodisiac Activity of Dactylorhiza hatagirea
2. Improvement of penile erection, sperm count and seminal fructose levels in vivo and nitric oxide release in vitro by Ayurvedic herbs.

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