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Dactylorhiza, Finger root

Marsh Orchid
Salam Panja, Munjataka (Ayurveda)
Dbang lag  དབང་ལག  (Tibetan)
Hong Men Lan (China)
A species of Dactylorhiza, listed as 'Female Orchid' and used as Salep.
Herbarum Vivae Eicones, Otto Brunfels, 1530

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

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: