The effects and benefits of Gastrodia elata (tianma) are mainly seen in its medicinal and dietary uses.

Gastrodia elata is a perennial herb in the genus Gastrodia of the orchid family, and its medicinal part is the underground tuber. It has no green leaves and cannot carry out photosynthesis; its growth process requires symbiosis with Armillaria mellea, so its cultivation method is quite special among various medicinal herbs. Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, Shaanxi and other places in China are the traditional production areas of Gastrodia elata, and with the maturity of artificial cultivation techniques, the supply of Gastrodia elata on the market has become increasingly abundant.

In the traditional understanding of Chinese medicine, Gastrodia elata is sweet in taste and neutral in nature, and enters the liver meridian. It has long been regarded as a commonly used medicinal material for calming wind and stopping convulsions, pacifying liver yang, and dispelling wind and unblocking collaterals, and it is mostly used in combinations for conditions such as dizziness, headache, and numbness of the limbs. Folk practices such as stewing chicken with Gastrodia elata and stewing fish head with Gastrodia elata are also popular medicinal dietary recipes; slicing Gastrodia elata and stewing it with ingredients is a choice for tonic health care in many households.

In daily use, Gastrodia elata can be used to make soup, congee, or infused in water. The amount used generally should not be too much, and it needs to be increased or decreased as appropriate according to the number of people and individual constitution. When selecting it, those with thick, plump tubers, a firm cut surface, bright color, and a distinctive odor are preferred. When storing it, it should be placed in a dry and ventilated place to prevent moisture and mold from affecting quality.

It should be noted that although Gastrodia elata has certain traditional medicinal value, it is not suitable for everyone. Pregnant women, children, and people with special constitutions had better consult a doctor or pharmacist before consuming it, and if there is any discomfort after eating it, use should be stopped promptly. When purchasing, it is recommended to use regular channels and pay attention to the place of origin and quality to avoid buying inferior products passed off as good ones. Only in this way can the effects of Gastrodia elata be brought into play more reliably.