Where does Gastrodia elata come from? The benefits of drinking it as an infusion and four types of food it can be stewed with

As the saying goes, “Gastrodia elata grows immortal legs”, which shows that Gastrodia elata can treat numbness in people's legs. Not only that, Gastrodia elata can also relieve pain, improve eyesight, protect the heart, and more, so its medicinal value is extremely high. Many people like to stew it with black-boned chicken, duck, and so on, to achieve the effect of physical strengthening, so where does Gastrodia elata come from? What are the benefits of drinking it as an infusion? What is it best stewed with?

1. Where does Gastrodia elata come from?

Gastrodia elata has strong adaptability and high medicinal value. Wild supplies can no longer meet market demand, so many regions have begun cultivating it artificially. At present, it is distributed across China, from north to south, and even abroad.

The main distribution areas abroad include: Korea, Bhutan, Nepal, India, Siberia, Japan, and others.

Domestic distribution areas of wild Gastrodia elata: Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, Hunan, Hubei, Anhui, Gansu, Henan, Hebei, Liaoning, Jilin, and other places. Among them, the Gastrodia elata produced in northeastern Yunnan (Zhaotong, Zhenxiong, Daguan, Ludian, Yiliang, Suijiang, Yongshan, Yanjin, and other places), western Guizhou (Qianxi, Zunyi, Bijie, Guiding, Dafang, and others), and southern Sichuan (Yibin, Maoxian, Wenchuan, Ya'an, Leshan, and other places) is the most authentic.

Domestic distribution areas of artificially cultivated Gastrodia elata: Shaanxi, Anhui, Sichuan, Yunnan, Jilin, Liaoning, and other places. Among them, Lueyang in Shaanxi is the largest production base of Gastrodia elata in the country.

2. What are the benefits of drinking Gastrodia elata as an infusion?

1. Drinking Gastrodia elata as an infusion can relieve pain: according to research, Gastrodia elata has an analgesic effect, especially with good results for headaches caused by various reasons.

2. Drinking Gastrodia elata as an infusion can enhance intelligence: according to scientists' experiments, drinking Gastrodia elata as an infusion has the effect of enhancing intelligence, especially for patients with Alzheimer's disease, who can effectively improve memory after drinking it.

3. Drinking Gastrodia elata as an infusion can lower blood pressure: drinking Gastrodia elata as an infusion can lower blood pressure, especially for patients with high blood pressure. If drunk over the long term, it can effectively lower blood pressure and strengthen the body and bones.

4. Drinking Gastrodia elata as an infusion can protect the heart: drinking Gastrodia elata as an infusion can protect the heart very well, especially for patients with palpitations and shortness of breath. If drunk over the long term, it can effectively improve palpitations.

5. Drinking Gastrodia elata as an infusion can protect the eyes: Gastrodia elata contains components that protect the eyes and regulate the optic nerve. Long-term drinking can effectively improve vision and protect the eyes and brain.

6. Drinking Gastrodia elata as an infusion can improve sleep: drinking Gastrodia elata as an infusion can effectively improve sleep, especially after drinking coffee when one is in an excited state. If one drinks Gastrodia elata water, it can effectively prevent excitement.

7. Drinking Gastrodia elata as an infusion can treat neurasthenia: Gastrodia elata contains gastrodin, which can effectively treat neurasthenia and also has a good preventive and therapeutic effect on the various syndromes it causes.

8. Drinking Gastrodia elata as an infusion can treat epilepsy and numbness: according to research, regularly drinking Gastrodia elata water can effectively treat numbness of the feet, hands, and various kinds of limb numbness, and it also has a good therapeutic effect on epilepsy or facial nerve twitching.

3. What is Gastrodia elata best stewed with?

1. Stewing Gastrodia elata with black-boned chicken: Gastrodia elata stewed with black-boned chicken is a traditional famous dish in Yunnan and can effectively treat various head conditions such as headache and dizziness. At the same time, it also has the effect for women of regulating the endocrine system and promoting blood circulation.

2. Stewing Gastrodia elata with duck: Gastrodia elata stewed with duck can treat diseases such as numbness of the feet and hands, limb numbness, or head pain.

3. Stewing Gastrodia elata with pigeon: Gastrodia elata stewed with pigeon can treat symptoms such as limb numbness, impotence and premature ejaculation, female physical weakness, and irregular menstruation. Regular consumption can effectively tonify the kidneys, nourish the stomach, and replenish the brain.

4. Gastrodia elata can be stewed with fish head: Gastrodia elata stewed with fish head can effectively treat symptoms such as head dizziness and head discomfort.

4. When is Gastrodia elata harvested?

Gastrodia elata comes in two types, wild and artificially cultivated. Generally, wild Gastrodia elata is harvested around Mangzhong (around early June).

Artificially cultivated Gastrodia elata can be planted in both spring and winter. Among them, spring-planted Gastrodia elata is generally harvested in winter or the following spring. Winter-planted Gastrodia elata is generally harvested in the second winter or the third spring.

5. How is Gastrodia elata stored?

1. How is fresh Gastrodia elata stored?

Method 1, put it in the refrigerator: fresh Gastrodia elata has a high water content and spoils easily, so after digging it up, you can cut it into small slices, then sun-dry it and put it in the refrigerator for storage. However, it needs to be eaten within two months to avoid spoilage.

Method 2, soak it in honey: fresh Gastrodia elata soaked in honey can be stored for one year. Generally, people who like sweet foods can use this method. When storing, try to cut it into small pieces so it is convenient to eat each time.

Method 3, soak it in baijiu: soaking Gastrodia elata in alcohol is the most common method. Not only does it store for a long time, but it can also bring out the medicinal effect very well. However, alcohol harms the body, so it should be drunk in moderation.

2. How is dried Gastrodia elata stored?

Dried Gastrodia elata is very easy to store. Generally, you only need to seal it well in a plastic bag and then put it in the refrigerator compartment for storage. However, when refrigerating, be sure not to put it in the freezer compartment, to avoid it spoiling after the ice melts when taken out, thereby losing its edible value.