Gastrodia elata
Gastrodia elata, commonly known as Tianma, is a precious medicinal orchid highly valued in traditional Chinese medicine. Often referred to as "heavenly herb," it is primarily utilized to treat dizziness, headaches, and neurological disorders. This rare, parasitic plant is prized for its ability to calm the liver and nourish the brain.
- Scientific name: Gastrodia elata
- Family: Orchidaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Under the subclass Magnoliidae and order Asparagales, it is further categorized into the family Orchidaceae. Specifically, it is identified by the genus Gastrodia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Asparagales | WCVP |
| Family | Orchidaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Gastrodia | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific geographical range that spans across parts of East Asia. In the Russian Far East, it can be found in the Khabarovsk region and throughout the Kuril Islands. Its distribution continues through the Primorye territory and the island of Sakhalin. Beyond Russia, the species is also located within the South-Central regions of China. Collectively, these areas define the primary natural habitats for this medicinal species.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Russian Far East | Khabarovsk | WCVP |
| Russian Far East | Kuril Is. | WCVP |
| Russian Far East | Primorye | WCVP |
| Russian Far East | Sakhalin | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Inner Mongolia | WCVP |
| China | Manchuria | WCVP |
| China | China North-Central | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| China | Tibet | WCVP |
Chemicals
Gastrodia elata has 82 reported phytochemicals identified across 147 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include gastrodin, Gastrodin, p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, parishin B.
- Total chemicals
- 82
- Scientific sources
- 147
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| gastrodin | 22 | ★★★★★ |
| Gastrodin | 9 | ★★★★☆ |
| p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| parishin B | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| parishin C | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Parishin E | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| parishin A | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| parishin E | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Gastrodia elata has 10 reported activities identified across 28 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Neuroprotective, Antioxidant, Anticonvulsant, Analgesic, Antibacterial.
- Total activities
- 10
- Scientific sources
- 28
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Neuroprotective | 10 | ★★★★★ |
| Antioxidant | 9 | ★★★★☆ |
| Anticonvulsant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidepressant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiepileptic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifibrotic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Free-Radical Scavenging | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Sedative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Gastrodia elata has 88 reported medicinal uses identified across 166 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, convulsions, headache, inflammation.
- Total uses
- 88
- Scientific sources
- 166
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| epilepsy | 12 | ★★★★★ |
| Alzheimer's disease | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| convulsions | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| headache | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| inflammation | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| neurological disorders | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| oxidative stress | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| cerebral ischemia | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| depression | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| dizziness | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |