百子櫃THE HUNDRED DRAWERS
Gastrodia tuber
天麻
息風止痙平抑肝陽祛風通絡止頭痛眩暈
The tuber of Gastrodia elata, a leafless orchid, sold as translucent ivory-yellow slices. Mild and faintly sweet, it softens with long boiling and is the signature herb of fish-head soup, adding a smooth, gently medicinal undertone.
TCM properties
Nature · neutral Flavour · sweet Meridians · liver
Traditional food therapy
In Cantonese food therapy it is traditionally simmered with fish head, chuanxiong and bai zhi to extinguish inner wind, settle rising liver yang, and ease wind-type head discomfort and dizziness.
Cautions: read first
- Take care if you are badly deficient in qi and blood
- Some people feel dizzy or nauseous after taking it and should stop
Preparation
Slice and rinse. A long boil does it no harm.
Origin · Geo-authentic (道地) source
Zhaotong, Yunnan (also Guizhou)
Availability in Australia
Easy to find
