Gastrodia elata origin

Gastrodia elata is a precious medicinal material. It is actually the underground stem of an orchid plant. It is used as a traditional Chinese medicinal material after being harvested and dried. Gastrodia elata mainly grows in cool and humid forests. It is relatively shade-tolerant, likes fertilizers, and is a plant that is afraid of cold, drought, and high temperatures. Therefore, the origin of Gastrodia elata must be an area with suitable climate and environmental conditions. The better the conditions, the better the quality.

1. Origin is all over the country

The key points of cultivation are located in Liaoning Province and Jilin Province; the key points in the northern region are in Henan Province, Hebei Province, and Anhui Province; the central and western regions are in Hubei Province; the western regions are in Sichuan, Guizhou Province, Yunnan Province, and Shaanxi Province; and the western region is the Tibet Autonomous Region. It is probably very suitable for growth in warm temperate and subtropical monsoon climates; it is not suitable for growth in cold temperate and tropical monsoon climates. The jungle species in the Tibet Autonomous Region will also grow and develop.

2. Natural environment of origin

It mainly grows in the moist, shady, dead leaves and lime-rich soil under the forest, and its growth environment is similar to that of orchids. It likes coolness, is afraid of high temperatures and droughts, and is not suitable for high temperatures or droughts in some areas. It likes moisture, but must not retain water. It will easily die if it retains water because it has no roots and is also afraid of cold.

3. The best place of origin

Among the many growth environments, Shennongjia area is the most suitable area for the growth of Gastrodia elata. This type of area generally has many mountains and forests, the ecological environment is relatively well protected, the annual precipitation is relatively even, the summer temperature is not as high as other regions, but it is definitely humid enough, there are large areas of forests on small hills, and there is a calcareous soil layer. The soil is generally fertile and breathable, but not all areas in this region are suitable, and some areas are still not suitable.

4. Actual Place of Origin

The first is the Shennongjia area in Hubei Province. The relatively primitive forests are the main origin, producing the largest number of Gastrodia elata and the best quality. Shennongjia is the origin of Gastrodia elata; the second is the Sichuan Basin area, which mainly produces red Gastrodia elata and has unique products with advantages; the Dabie Mountain planting area, where production quality is improving year by year, is regarded as a medium-level origin; the Changbai Mountain area, due to its good environment and excellent taste of Gastrodia elata, is more popular with consumers.

Gastrodia elata is distributed in many places across the country, but generally the quality of Gastrodia elata in Shennongjia, Yunnan and Guizhou is the best. But I will undoubtedly have subjective opinions. I hope to help everyone to refer to and understand it.