Gastrodia, Tian Ma 天麻

Tian Ma (TCM)
Sichuan Tian Ma root (Adam, 2016)

Sliced fresh Tian Ma available at the Chengdu Medicine Market.

Botanical name:
Gastrodia elata
The best quality is Winter Gastrodia from Yunnan and Sichuan

Parts used:
Root
Collected from Winter to Spring; washed well, steamed, then sliced and dried at a low temperature.

Temperature & Taste:
Neutral, Sweet

Classification:
I. Medicines for Internal Wind

Uses:
1. Calms the Liver, Settles Wind, Stops Spasms:
-Headache, Dizziness, Vertigo

2. Settles Wind, Stops Pain:
-Headache, Migraine (from Wind-Phlegm)

3. Clears Wind Damp, Relieves Pain:
-pain and numbness of the lower back and extremities


DOSE:
3–9 grams in decoction;
1–3 grams in Powder

COMMENT:
Gastrodia Tian Ma is listed on CITES as endangered. However, over 80% of the market is supplied with cultivated product. (Bensky)

Main Combinations:
Often combined with Uncaria Gou Teng

1. Internal Wind disorders:
i. Gastrodia Tian Ma with ... available in PRO version
ii. Gastrodia Tian Ma from Wind-Heat with Uncaria Gou Teng, ... available in PRO version
2. Hemiplegia, Loss of Speech Gastrodia Tian Ma with ... available in PRO version
3. Dizziness, Vertigo, Migraine:
i. Gastrodia Tian Ma with ... available in PRO version
ii. Gastrodia Tian Ma with ... available in PRO version
4. Dizziness, Vertigo, from Wind-Phlegm Gastrodia Tian Ma with ... available in PRO version
5. Childhood Convulsions:
i. from Wind-Heat Gastrodia Tian Ma with ... available in PRO version
ii. from Wind-Heat, Gastrodia Tian Ma with ... available in PRO version
iii. Febrile Convulsions, Gastrodia Tian Ma with ... available in PRO version
iv. Gastrodia Tian Ma with ... available in PRO version
v. Gastrodia Tian Ma with ... available in PRO version
vi. Chronic Childhood convulsions with deficiency, Gastrodia Tian Ma with ... available in PRO version
6. Tetanic Convulsions:
i. Gastrodia Tian Ma with ... available in PRO version
ii. Gastrodia Tian Ma with  ... available in PRO version
7. Phlegm-Damp obstructing the Mind with confusion, mental dullness, dizziness, Gastrodia Tian Ma with ... available in PRO version
8. Wind-Damp Arthritic and Rheumatic pain:
i. Gastrodia Tian Ma with ... available in PRO version
ii. Gastrodia Tian Ma with ... available in PRO version
9. Arthritic pain, apoplectic paralysis Gastrodia Tian Ma with ... available in PRO version
10. Wandering Arthritic Pain, Paralysis of the limbs, Gastrodia Tian Ma with ... available in PRO version
11. Pain from Blood stasis and Wind, Gastrodia Tian Ma with ... available in PRO version

Major Formulas:
Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang
Tian Ma Gou Teng Yin
Shi Xiang Fan Sheng Wan
Bo Ying Compound


Cautions:
Generally very safe
1. Use cautiously in Qi and Blood deficiency (use with tonics)
2. Use with caution during Pregnancy and avoid full doses.
3. Occasional allergic reactions are reported

Main Preparations used: