Lijiang Gastrodia Elata

Lijiang Gastrodia Elata

　　Gastrodia elata, also known as Chi Jian, Ding Feng Cao, or Shui Yang Yu, is a precious medicinal herb capable of treating headaches, dizziness, vertigo, migraines, blurred vision, and speech impediments. It is also used to address various conditions such as wind-cold-damp arthralgia, limb spasms, and infantile convulsions. In recent years, it has been used to treat hypertension and neurasthenia. According to relevant sources, Gastrodia elata is only produced in Eastern Asia—in China, North Korea, Japan, and the Far East region of the former Soviet Union—with China yielding the largest output. Yunnan Province is one of China’s primary production areas, with the majority concentrated in Zhaotong Prefecture. Within this prefecture, particularly in the counties of Yanjin and Zhenxiong, the yield and quality are the highest. The Gastrodia elata produced here is large, thick, yellowish-white, semi-transparent, firm in texture, and is considered representative of Yunnan’s Gastrodia. In addition, it is also cultivated in areas such as Nujiang, Zhongdian, and Lijiang.

　　 Lijiang Gastrodia Elata is mainly produced in Ludian, a “hometown of medicinal herbs” along the Jinsha River. Most of its products are wild-harvested, with only a small amount cultivated artificially in recent years. Gastrodia elata, also known as Chi Jian, Ding Feng Cao, or Shui Yang Yu, is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Gastrodia genus in the Orchidaceae family. Its dried tuber is used in medicine and dietary supplements, and is classified as a valuable traditional Chinese medicinal material in China’s pharmacopoeia. Wild Gastrodia elata is considered superior, being pungent, warm in nature, and non-toxic. It has been used medicinally for over two thousand years. According to the “Shennong Bencao Jing” (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), Gastrodia elata can treat convulsions, arthralgia, neurasthenia, dizziness, vertigo, migraines, and speech impediments. Clinical practice has proven it to be significantly effective against vascular neurogenic headaches and post-concussion syndromes. Locally, Lijiang Gastrodia Elata comes in various forms such as loose, boxed, cultivated, and wild. "Lijiang Gastrodia Elixir Wine" is a leading export product to Southeast Asia.