The efficacy and function of Gu Mu

As a traditional Chinese medicine, Gastrodia elata has great medicinal value and can treat many diseases. Let’s take a closer look at it below.

【Alias】

Climbing fig

【source】

Medicinal material source: branches and leaves of the plant Glechoma longituba of the Melastomataceae family.

[Original form]

Shrub or small tree, 1.5-7m tall. Branchlets cylindrical or inconspicuously quadrangular, much branched. Leaves are opposite; petiole is 3-5mm long; leaf blade is elliptic to ovate, or ovate-lanceolate, 5.5-8cm long, 2.5-3.5cm wide, acuminate at apex, obtuse, cuneate at base, glabrous on both sides, rough, entire. Flowers bisexual, 4-merous; cymes, axillary or in the axils of fallen leaves; bracts ovate; pedicels bearded at base and nodes; calyx hemispherical, with 4 shallowly wavy teeth on margin; petals white or light yellow-green, or purple, semicircular, with rounded apex; stamens 8, equal in length, blue; ovary inferior, truncate at apex. The berry-like drupe is spherical, about 1 cm in diameter, densely covered with small tubercle-like protrusions, and with a ring-shaped persistent calyx rim at the tip. The flowering period is from May to August, and the fruiting period is from December to February of the following year.

【Habitat distribution】

Ecological environment: Grown under dense forests at an altitude of 160-1540m.

【Nature and flavor】

Bitter; slightly spicy; neutral

【Function and indications】

Promote blood circulation and relieve pain. Mainly used for back pain; swelling and pain caused by falls

【Usage and Dosage】

For internal use: decoction. For external use: take appropriate amount and mash it for application; or decoct it in water for washing.

【extract】

Chinese Materia Medica

Through the above, we have learned about the effects and functions of the traditional Chinese medicine Gu Mu. I hope everyone can find the right medicine and consume Gu Mu correctly in life.