Is Gastrodia elata seed the same as Gastrodia elata? One letter difference but completely different effects

Many people know that Gastrodia elata is a traditional Chinese medicine used to treat dizziness and headaches, but they are unfamiliar with Gastrodia elata seeds as a food and medicinal herb. Some people even mistakenly think that Gastrodia elata seeds are the fruits of Gastrodia elata or something. In fact, Gastrodia elata seeds are a raw material that can be used to make Xuan paper, also known as Tongcao, which has the effect of promoting lactation.

What is Gastrodia elata?

The Akebia trifoliata is also known as Akebia affine, Gastrodia elata or Gastrodia elata. A shrub or small tree of the Araliaceae family, with the scientific name Tetrapanax papyriferum. It is native to South China and Taiwan and is the raw material for making Xuan paper. The leaves are large and lobed, and the crown is very similar to that of a palm tree. The central tissue of the stem is removed and used to make surgical dressings and watercolor paper.

What is Gastrodia elata?

Capsule oblong to oblong-obovate, about 15mm long, with short stalk. The seeds are numerous and small, in powdery form, and the flowering period is June-July. Fruiting period is July-August. The fruits are harvested when ripe in summer and sun-dried. The capsule is oblong to obovate, light brown on the surface, 1.2-1.8cm long, with a short stalk, containing many tiny seeds like dust, and appears to be spindle-shaped when observed under a magnifying glass. Slight odor, light taste.

The role of Gastrodia elata

1. Analgesic effect: The Tianma injection made from Tianma has obvious analgesic effect on trigeminal neuralgia, vascular neurosis headache, cerebrovascular disease headache, toxic polyneuritis, etc. In recent years, after clinical trials on more than 1,000 patients in some medical institutions, the effectiveness rate reached 90%.

2. Sedative effect: Some medical institutions use synthetic gastrodin (Gastrodin) to treat patients with neurasthenia and neurasthenia syndrome, with effective rates of 89.44% and 86.87% respectively. It can also inhibit the central nervous system excitatory effects caused by caffeine and enhance the sleep time effect of pentobarbital.

3. Anticonvulsant effect: Gastrodia elata has certain therapeutic effects on facial nerve convulsions, limb numbness, hemiplegia, epilepsy, etc. It can also relieve smooth muscle spasms, angina pectoris and biliary colic.

4. Blood pressure lowering effect: Gastrodia elata can treat high blood pressure. Long-term use can calm the liver and replenish qi, benefit the waist and knees, strengthen the tendons and bones, and also increase peripheral and coronary blood flow, which has a protective effect on the heart.

5. Improve eyesight and enhance intelligence: Gastrodia elata can improve eyesight and significantly enhance memory. Gastrodia elata has obvious protective and regulatory effects on the human brain nervous system and can enhance the resolution ability of the optic nerve. It has been used as a brain health food or brain health medicine for high-altitude flyers. Japan uses Gastrodia elata injection to treat Alzheimer's disease, with an effectiveness rate of 81%.