Herbs & Botanicals · Chinese orchid tuber for headache
Gastrodia (Tian ma)
Gastrodia elata, dried tuber · also called Tian ma, Gastrodia, Gastrodiae rhizoma
Gastrodia, or tian ma, is the dried tuber of an Asian orchid used in Chinese medicine for headache, dizziness and seizures. Most research tests gastrodin, its purified main compound, often as an injection in Chinese hospitals. Small trials suggest benefit for migraine and headache, but none tested the plain herb. Ask your doctor first if you take seizure drugs or blood pressure medicine.
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About Gastrodia (Tian ma)
Gastrodia is the dried tuber of an Asian orchid, used in Chinese medicine for headache, dizziness and seizures. Human research tests gastrodin, not the plain herb. Evidence is low to very low. Cautions: seizure drugs, blood pressure medicine and the orchid's conservation status.
What it is
Gastrodia elata is an Asian orchid. The part used is the dried tuber, called tian ma in Chinese medicine. A 2025 review says it has about 2,200 years of recorded use. Its best-known compounds are gastrodin and the parishins. Gastrodin is the purified compound used in many modern trials, and it is not the same as the herb. Tianma Gouteng Yin is a different product: a multi-herb formula that includes tian ma.
What the research shows
Human trials are mostly from China and test gastrodin as injections, infusions or capsules. A 2022 meta-analysis of 16 trials found fewer and shorter migraine attacks. A 2021 review of 8 trials favored gastrodin over drugs for tension-type headache, with low-quality evidence. A 2025 placebo-controlled trial found less delirium after heart surgery. Results for dizziness, epilepsy and blood pressure rest on open-label, combination or injection studies. For vascular dementia the support is lab and animal work. We found no trial of the plain tuber for any use.
Quality and sourcing
A 2024 review says quality can vary with origin, the fungus the orchid lives with, and harvest time. Wikipedia states the orchid is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN and in CITES Appendix II. We did not confirm this at the CITES or IUCN records. Look for cultivated, clearly labelled material.
At a glance
Traditional uses history, not proof
- Traditional Chinese medicine for headache and dizziness
- Used for numbness of the limbs and for convulsions, including in children
- Listed for spasms, epilepsy, stroke and forgetfulness in a 2025 review
Studied for research
- Migraine (gastrodin), low
- Tension-type headache (gastrodin), low
- Delirium after heart surgery (gastrodin), low
- Thinking decline after heart surgery (gastrodin), low
- Dizziness with hearing loss (gastrodin injection), very low
- Epilepsy add-on (gastrodin with folate and B12), very low
- Blood pressure (gastrodin injection), very low
- Nerve pain (branded product), very low
- Vascular dementia, insufficient
- Sleep and calm, insufficient
Main compounds
- Gastrodin and 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol
- Parishins (several related compounds)
- Polysaccharides, organic acids and sterols
Common forms
- Dried tuber, sliced or powdered (traditional)
- Gastrodin (purified compound), as injection or capsule
- Multi-herb formula such as Tianma Gouteng Yin (a different product)
- Branded supplements containing Gastrodia
Research links: Gastrodin for migraine, meta-analysis (2022) · Gastrodin for tension-type headache, meta-analysis (2021) · Gastrodin for delirium after heart surgery, trial (2025) · Gastrodin injection and blood pressure, meta-analysis (2020) · 315 reactions to gastrodin products (2015) · Gastrodia extract and valproic acid in rats (2022) · Research Library · Genes & Biomarkers Library
The plant and its history
- Accepted scientific name
- Gastrodia elata Blume
- Naming authority
- ACCEPTED in the GBIF backbone (species key 2813351, family Orchidaceae, order Asparagales), checked 2026-10-25 (s-gbif-gastrodia).
- Common names
- Tian ma (Chinese (pinyin)); Gastrodia (English / trade); Gastrodiae rhizoma (pharmacopoeia name)
- Botanical family
- Orchidaceae (orchid family).
- Classification
- Plantae > Tracheophyta > Liliopsida > Asparagales > Orchidaceae > Gastrodia > Gastrodia elata
- Native range
- Wikipedia lists Nepal, Bhutan, India, Japan, Korea, Siberia, Taiwan and China (secondary source, not verified at source).
- Habitat
- Wikipedia says forest edges at about 400 to 3,200 m. Not verified at source.
- What the plant looks like
- Roots: Not verified.; Stems: Not verified.; Leaves: Not verified.; Flowers: Not verified.; Fruit: Not verified.; Note: The part used is the dried tuber (rhizome). A 2024 review says tubers, seeds and stalks can be used for medicine, food or health products.
- Cultivation
- The orchid depends on a fungus, Armillaria mellea, according to Wikipedia (secondary source). A web search reported that supply was wild before cultivation methods were developed. Not verified at source.
- Harvest and processing
- Not verified. A 2024 review says origin, fungus and harvest time affect quality.
- Look-alikes and adulterants
- Name: Tianma Gouteng Yin (formula); Note: A multi-herb formula; not the plain herb.; Name: Gastrodin injection; Note: A purified-compound hospital product; not the plain herb.
- Sustainability and conservation
- Wikipedia states IUCN Vulnerable (2004 assessment) and CITES Appendix II with annotation #4. A web search reported that the species was historically harvested close to extinction in the wild. Not checked at the CITES checklist or IUCN Red List (verified false).
Traditional use and history history, not clinical proof
| Tradition or era | Documented use | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese medicine (Shennong Bencaojing) | A 2025 systematic review says the dried tuber has a 2,200-year medicinal history documented in the Shennong Bencaojing, first used for neurological disorders such as epilepsy and stroke prevention, and for hypertension. | p41282615 |
| Traditional Chinese medicine | Used to treat dizziness, numbness of the limbs and infantile convulsion (2022 migraine review) and headaches, dizziness, spasms, epilepsy, strokes and forgetfulness (2025 review). | p36090869 |
| Date of earliest text | Wikipedia dates the Shennong Bencaojing to about 100 AD, while the 2025 review says 200 BCE. NOT verified; sources disagree. | s-wikipedia-gastrodia |
| EMA / HMPC and NCCIH | No monograph or page found (EMA blocked; NCCIH 404). | s-ema-hmpc-gastrodia |
Traditional use shows how a plant was used. It does not show that a supplement works or is safe today.
What is inside, and how it may work
What the plant contains and how those compounds act in cells and animals. Laboratory and animal mechanisms are not proven effects in people.
Main compounds
| Compound | Family | Where it is concentrated | Activity studied | Level of evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gastrodin PubChem 115067 | Phenolic glycoside | tuber | Main active compound per reviews; the Pharmacopoeia sets a minimum gastrodin plus gastrodigenin content (Wikipedia, not verified). Rapidly absorbed, crosses the blood-brain barrier, sedative in preclinical work. 2 9 14 | Animal research |
| 4-Hydroxybenzyl alcohol PubChem 125 | Phenol | tuber | Phenolic constituent (aglycone related to gastrodin). Activity not covered in the abstracts read. 9 6 | Unreviewed |
| Parishin PubChem 44421666 | Phenolic glycoside (citrate ester) | tuber | Listed among the characteristic metabolites (gastrodin, parishins). PubChem lists several parishin forms; the exact one behind this CID is not confirmed. 23 9 | Animal research |
| Polysaccharides, organic acids and sterols | Mixed | tuber | About 134 components reported in total. 6 | Animal research |
Mechanisms, receptors and pathways
| Target or pathway | Gene or receptor | What was found | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nerve protection and learning and memory | Preclinical studies report neuroprotection and memory improvement (lab and animal only). 6 7 | Animal research | |
| Blood-brain barrier transport of valproic acid (OATP) | OATP transporter (not P-glycoprotein) | In rats, G. elata extract raised brain valproic acid; cyclosporin A blocked it. 16 17 | Animal research |
| Sedation and sleep | A review says gastrodin has sedative and sleep-improving effects (preclinical). 2 | Animal research | |
| Heart and vessel effects | Cardioprotection and vessel-modulating effects are reported in preclinical work. 6 | Animal research |
Absorption, metabolism and elimination
- Absorption
- A 2024 review says gastrodin is rapidly absorbed. No numbers read.
- Distribution
- Widely distributed and crosses the blood-brain barrier (same review).
- Metabolism
- Not found in the abstracts read.
- Elimination
- Not found.
- Bioavailability
- Not found; gastrodin in hospital trials was given by injection or infusion.
Isolated compounds versus whole extracts
The human trials found tested gastrodin, the purified compound (injection, infusion, capsules, acupoint injection), or a branded Gastrodia-based product, or a multi-herb formula. No trial of the plain dried tuber was found. Results from gastrodin or the formula cannot be assumed for the tuber.
Nutritional composition
Not covered: no nutrition data were found. It is used as a food-medicine in China according to a web-search summary (not verified).
4 low certainty4 very low certainty3 not enough evidence
What is Gastrodia (Tian ma) good for?
The main studied and promoted uses and how strong the human evidence is. Nearly every human result is for gastrodin, the purified compound, and not for the plain dried tuber. Where a result is for a formula or a combination, it is said so.
Benefits, one by one
Each card is a research question, not a promise. Tap a goal to filter. Open a card to see the studies, doses and limits.
Migraine
Low certaintySixteen small Chinese trials of gastrodin, the purified compound, found fewer and shorter migraine attacks. No trial of the plain tuber was found, and trial quality is unclear.
2 studiesNo trial of the plain dried tuber was found. The human trials tested …
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
A 2022 meta-analysis (Zhou) pooled 16 randomised trials with 1,332 people. Gastrodin did better than the control treatments on response, pain, attack frequency and attack length. The abstract does not say what the controls were or how good the trials were.
Results
Response RR 1.21 (1.17 to 1.27); pain MD -1.65 (-2.28 to -1.02); frequency SMD -2.77 (-3.92 to -1.62); duration SMD -1.64 (-2.35 to -0.93).
Effect sizes as reported
Large effects on the scale reported; the effect sizes are unusually big for migraine and should be read with care.
Why this rating
Many trials but quality and control treatments are not described in the abstract. All tested gastrodin, not the herb. Trials come from China and may be at risk of bias.
Form and dose studied
No trial of the plain dried tuber was found. The human trials tested gastrodin, the purified main compound, mostly as an injection or capsule in Chinese hospitals.
Who was studied
Adults with migraine in 16 trials.
Limits
The abstract gives no risk-of-bias rating. No placebo detail. Not the tuber.
Why researchers looked
Headache is the best-known traditional use of tian ma, and gastrodin is the main compound.
Traditional use
Tian ma, the dried tuber of Gastrodia elata, has been used in Chinese medicine for headache, dizziness, spasms and epilepsy. The 2022 migraine meta-analysis and a 2025 review describe this use.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
Lab and animal work links gastrodin to nerve protection and vessel effects. The migraine meta-analysis also reports slower blood flow velocity in brain arteries.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
The authors call gastrodin safe, but give no numbers in the abstract. See the safety tab.
Tension-type headache
Low certaintyEight Chinese trials of gastrodin, mostly capsules or injection, beat conventional drugs on headache frequency. The reviewers rated the evidence low quality.
1 studiesNo trial of the plain dried tuber was found. The human trials tested …
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
A 2021 meta-analysis (Yan, published in a Chinese-language journal) pooled 8 randomised trials with 1,091 people. Gastrodin did better than western medicine on headache frequency, abnormal vessel findings on transcranial Doppler, and effective rate. Capsules and injection both did better. GRADE rated every outcome low quality.
Results
Frequency MD -2.90 (-3.76 to -2.03); effective rate RR 1.47 (1.29 to 1.68); capsules RR 1.42 (1.08 to 1.88); injection RR 1.50 (1.26 to 1.77).
Effect sizes as reported
Statistically clear, but compared against drugs and not placebo; quality low.
Why this rating
The reviewers graded the evidence low; trials are few and the overall quality was not high.
Form and dose studied
No trial of the plain dried tuber was found. The human trials tested gastrodin, the purified main compound, mostly as an injection or capsule in Chinese hospitals.
Who was studied
Adults with tension-type headache.
Limits
Only one trial reported adverse reactions, so safety could not be judged. No placebo comparison.
Why researchers looked
Another headache type for which gastrodin has been tried.
Traditional use
Tian ma, the dried tuber of Gastrodia elata, has been used in Chinese medicine for headache, dizziness, spasms and epilepsy. The 2022 migraine meta-analysis and a 2025 review describe this use.
Proposed mechanism Preliminary mechanism
Not covered in the sources read. Lab work only.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Safety unknown from this review.
Dizziness and vertigo
Very low certaintyDizziness is a traditional use, but there is no trial for plain dizziness. One small open-label trial found gastrodin acupoint injections plus usual care improved hearing and dizziness handicap in people with hearing loss and vertigo.
2 studiesGastrodin injected at acupoints. Not a supplement and not the tuber.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
A 2026 trial (Wang) randomised 100 adults with sensorineural hearing loss and vertigo to gastrodin acupoint injection plus usual treatment, or usual treatment alone, for 4 weeks. Hearing and the Dizziness Handicap Inventory improved more in the injection group. The authors say the gastrodin-specific effect cannot be separated because there was no sham injection.
Results
PTA difference -9.58 dB (-12.55 to -6.61); DHI -13.57 points (-17.52 to -9.63). Adverse events 10 of 50 vs 9 of 50, none serious.
Effect sizes as reported
Open label, one centre.
Why this rating
One small open-label trial with no sham and several background treatments. Nothing in the studies read tests dizziness in general.
Form and dose studied
Gastrodin injected at acupoints. Not a supplement and not the tuber.
Who was studied
Adults with hearing loss and vertigo in one Chinese hospital.
Limits
Open label, single centre, no sham injection, hearing-loss population only.
Why researchers looked
Dizziness is one of the classic uses of tian ma.
Traditional use
Tian ma, the dried tuber of Gastrodia elata, has been used in Chinese medicine for headache, dizziness, spasms and epilepsy. The 2022 migraine meta-analysis and a 2025 review describe this use.
Proposed mechanism Pharmacological theory
Not covered in the abstract.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Adverse events were similar between groups; none were serious.
Delirium after heart surgery
Low certaintyOne placebo-controlled trial of gastrodin given into a vein in hospital found less delirium after bypass surgery. It needs confirming.
1 studiesGastrodin infusion in hospital; not an over-the-counter product.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
A 2025 double-blind trial (Bai) of 155 adults having bypass surgery found delirium in 19.5% with gastrodin and 35.9% with placebo. Hospital discharge came sooner with gastrodin. Adverse events were 9.1% and 14.1%, none drug-related. The authors say larger studies are needed.
Results
Delirium RR 0.54 (0.32 to 0.93). Cognitive dysfunction in hospital 2.9% (placebo) vs 4.0% (gastrodin), not shown to differ.
Effect sizes as reported
Single trial; modest size.
Why this rating
A single well-run placebo-controlled trial. One trial is not enough for moderate certainty.
Form and dose studied
Gastrodin infusion in hospital; not an over-the-counter product.
Who was studied
Adults aged 18 to 75 having bypass surgery with or without valve replacement.
Limits
Single trial, one country. Cognitive dysfunction outcome showed no benefit in hospital.
Why researchers looked
Delirium after heart surgery is common and has few treatments.
Traditional use
Not a traditional use; a modern hospital use of the purified compound.
Proposed mechanism Animal research
Gastrodin is described as nerve-protective in lab and animal studies.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
No drug-related adverse events in the trial.
Thinking decline after heart surgery
Low certaintyOne older trial of 200 people reported much less thinking decline after valve surgery with gastrodin than with saline. It is old and has not been repeated in the studies found.
1 studiesGastrodin given during surgery. Not the herb.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
A 2011 double-blind trial (Zhang) of 200 people having mitral valve surgery found cognitive decline in 9% with gastrodin and 42% with saline at discharge, and 6% and 31% at 3 months. Side effects were similar in both groups.
Results
9% vs 42% (discharge); 6% vs 31% (3 months).
Effect sizes as reported
Large difference, but only about half of people could be assessed at 3 months.
Why this rating
A single older trial from one setting with incomplete follow-up.
Form and dose studied
Gastrodin given during surgery. Not the herb.
Who was studied
Adults having mitral valve replacement with heart-lung bypass.
Limits
Single trial; follow-up loss at 3 months.
Why researchers looked
Heart-lung bypass can cause a drop in thinking test scores.
Traditional use
Not a traditional use.
Proposed mechanism Animal research
Not covered.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Adverse effects were similar to saline.
Epilepsy add-on (after stroke)
Very low certaintyTraditional use for convulsions. One small trial of gastrodin plus folate and vitamin B12 added to seizure drugs reported better results, but gastrodin alone was not tested.
2 studiesCombination product added to antiepileptic drugs.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
A 2017 trial (Zhou) randomised 92 people with epilepsy after stroke. The test group got gastrodin plus folate and vitamin B12 on top of regular antiepileptic drugs. Total effectiveness was 95.65% vs 73.91%, and seizure frequency and MoCA cognition scores improved more.
Results
Effectiveness 95.65% vs 73.91% (p < 0.05); seizure frequency and MoCA improved (p < 0.05).
Effect sizes as reported
Statistically better, but the combination cannot be pulled apart.
Why this rating
Gastrodin was given with two vitamins, so its own effect is unknown. Small, with no side-effect data in the abstract.
Form and dose studied
Combination product added to antiepileptic drugs.
Who was studied
People with epilepsy after stroke.
Limits
Three products at once; no placebo described; small.
Why researchers looked
Convulsions and epilepsy are classic uses of tian ma.
Traditional use
Tian ma, the dried tuber of Gastrodia elata, has been used in Chinese medicine for headache, dizziness, spasms and epilepsy. The 2022 migraine meta-analysis and a 2025 review describe this use. The sources describe use for convulsions in children and for epilepsy.
Proposed mechanism Animal research
Lab and animal studies in epilepsy models report anticonvulsant activity; they do not show effect in people.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
The abstract reports no safety data. See the interaction notes on valproic acid and carbamazepine.
Vascular dementia
Not enough evidenceOften described as promising, but the reviews say human evidence is lacking. This evidence is mainly lab and animal work.
2 studiesNot applicable.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
A 2022 review (Deng) says there is still a lack of evidence-based explorations of gastrodin in vascular dementia and discusses mechanism and methods. We found no human trial of gastrodin or the tuber in vascular dementia in the sources read.
Results
No human trial results found.
Effect sizes as reported
Not applicable.
Why this rating
No human trial found. Lab and animal findings only.
Form and dose studied
Not applicable.
Who was studied
None in people.
Limits
Lab and animal only.
Why researchers looked
Reviews describe gastrodin as promising for dementia, based on preclinical work.
Traditional use
Forgetfulness is among the traditional uses listed in a 2025 review.
Proposed mechanism Animal research
The reviews describe animal and cell work on how gastrodin might protect the brain. It has not been shown in people.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Not applicable.
Blood pressure (gastrodin injection)
Very low certaintyThirteen studies of gastrodin injection added to usual treatment found lower blood pressure, but results varied widely between studies. This is an injection, not the herb.
1 studiesGastrodin injection, not the dried tuber.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
A 2020 meta-analysis (Qian) of 13 studies and 1,525 people found that gastrodin injection plus conventional therapy lowered systolic and diastolic pressure and improved clinical efficacy compared with conventional therapy alone. Differences between studies were very large (I-squared about 90%).
Results
Systolic WMD -6.67 mmHg (-10.30 to -3.04); diastolic WMD -4.52 mmHg (-7.79 to -1.26); efficacy RR 1.18 (1.10 to 1.26).
Effect sizes as reported
Modest average change with very high heterogeneity; unknown reliability.
Why this rating
Very high heterogeneity, study quality not given in the abstract, and an injected add-on in Chinese hospitals.
Form and dose studied
Gastrodin injection, not the dried tuber.
Who was studied
Adults with high blood pressure on usual treatment.
Limits
Heterogeneity near 90%; add-on design; not oral herb.
Why researchers looked
Tian ma is combined with other herbs in Chinese formulas used for high blood pressure and dizziness.
Traditional use
Used in formulas such as Tianma Gouteng Yin, which are different products.
Proposed mechanism Animal research
Lab work reports vessel-relaxing effects of the herb; this is described in a 2024 review and is not shown in people.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Because it adds to blood pressure drugs, ask a doctor if on blood pressure medicine.
Tianma Gouteng Yin formula for high blood pressure
Not enough evidenceCochrane found no eligible trials of this multi-herb formula, so nothing can be said. It is a different product from gastrodia.
1 studiesA multi-herb formula; effects cannot be assigned to gastrodia alone.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
The 2012 Cochrane review (Zhang) looked for randomised or quasi-randomised trials against placebo or no treatment and found none that met the criteria. The reviewers conclude no statement can be made and ask for well-designed trials.
Results
No eligible trials.
Effect sizes as reported
Not applicable.
Why this rating
No trials met the review criteria.
Form and dose studied
A multi-herb formula; effects cannot be assigned to gastrodia alone.
Who was studied
None.
Limits
Formula, not gastrodia alone.
Why researchers looked
The formula is widely used in East Asia for blood pressure and dizziness.
Traditional use
A traditional multi-herb formula that includes tian ma.
Proposed mechanism Pharmacological theory
Not covered.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Not applicable.
Nerve pain (radiculopathy and carpal tunnel)
Very low certaintyA small uncontrolled study of a branded Gastrodia-based product saw pain fall over two months, but with no comparison group it cannot show the product worked.
1 studiesA branded Gastrodia-based product; exact content not stated in the ab…
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
A 2026 before-after study (Invernizzi) of 34 people who completed 2 months of a branded Gastrodia elata-based product (Assonal) found pain scores fell from 7.2 to 3.6 (NPRS) and 7.3 to 3.3 (VAS), and function and quality of life improved. There was no control group, and the study was funded by a company linked to the product.
Results
NPRS 7.2 to 3.6; VAS 7.3 to 3.3; EQ-5D-5L 0.49 to 0.81 (all p < 0.0001).
Effect sizes as reported
Large before-after change, but no control.
Why this rating
No control group, small, branded product, industry funding.
Form and dose studied
A branded Gastrodia-based product; exact content not stated in the abstract.
Who was studied
Adults with neck or low-back radiculopathy and/or carpal tunnel syndrome.
Limits
Uncontrolled; funded by industry-linked company.
Why researchers looked
Researchers are testing nutraceuticals for nerve-related pain.
Traditional use
Pain relief is not a main traditional use in the sources read.
Proposed mechanism Pharmacological theory
The product is described as targeting inflammation and oxidative stress; the abstract does not give evidence in people.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Not reported in the abstract.
Calm and sleep
Not enough evidenceReviews say gastrodin is sedating and may improve sleep in animals. We found no human sleep trial.
2 studiesNot applicable.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
We found no human trial of gastrodia or gastrodin for sleep or anxiety in the sources read. Evidence is lab and animal only.
Results
No human results.
Effect sizes as reported
Not applicable.
Why this rating
No human trial found.
Form and dose studied
Not applicable.
Who was studied
None.
Limits
Lab and animal only.
Why researchers looked
Tian ma is used for calming the liver in Chinese medicine.
Traditional use
Traditional "calming" use appears in the Wikipedia page for the plant (secondary source).
Proposed mechanism Animal research
A 2024 review says gastrodin has sedative and sleep-improving effects and crosses the blood-brain barrier. This is described mainly from lab and animal studies.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Sedation matters for driving and for other sedating medicines. See the safety tab.
Connections to the rest of health
How Gastrodia (Tian ma) connects to the rest of our health knowledge graph. Every link says what kind of connection it is. A safety link (for example to the liver) is a warning, not a benefit. A study that merely mentions a topic never creates a benefit link.
Explore every connection: goals, body systems, organs, symptoms, genes
A. Wellness goals
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brain Health | Potential benefit | Low certainty | Migraine: Sixteen small Chinese trials of gastrodin, the purified compound, found fewer and shorter migraine attacks. No trial of the plain tuber was found, and trial quality is unclear. Tension-type headache: Eight Chinese trials of gastrodin, mostly capsules or injection, beat conventional drugs on headache frequency. The reviewers rated the evidence low quality. | 22 7 15 1 |
| Brain Health | Traditional use | Very low certainty | Dizziness and vertigo: Dizziness is a traditional use, but there is no trial for plain dizziness. One small open-label trial found gastrodin acupoint injections plus usual care improved hearing and dizziness handicap in people with hearing loss and vertigo. Epilepsy add-on (after stroke): Traditional use for convulsions. One small trial of gastrodin plus folate and vitamin B12 added to seizure drugs reported better results, but gastrodin alone was not tested. | 13 22 21 7 |
| Cognitive Performance | Potential benefit | Low certainty | Delirium after heart surgery: One placebo-controlled trial of gastrodin given into a vein in hospital found less delirium after bypass surgery. It needs confirming. Thinking decline after heart surgery: One older trial of 200 people reported much less thinking decline after valve surgery with gastrodin than with saline. It is old and has not been repeated in the studies found. | 1 18 |
| Brain Health | Preliminary mechanism | Not enough evidence | Vascular dementia: Often described as promising, but the reviews say human evidence is lacking. This evidence is mainly lab and animal work. | 3 7 |
| Memory Support | Preliminary mechanism | Not enough evidence | Vascular dementia: Often described as promising, but the reviews say human evidence is lacking. This evidence is mainly lab and animal work. | 3 7 |
| Blood Pressure Support | Potential benefit | Very low certainty | Blood pressure (gastrodin injection): Thirteen studies of gastrodin injection added to usual treatment found lower blood pressure, but results varied widely between studies. This is an injection, not the herb. | 12 |
| Heart Health | Potential benefit | Very low certainty | Blood pressure (gastrodin injection): Thirteen studies of gastrodin injection added to usual treatment found lower blood pressure, but results varied widely between studies. This is an injection, not the herb. | 12 |
| Blood Pressure Support | Traditional use | Not enough evidence | Tianma Gouteng Yin formula for high blood pressure: Cochrane found no eligible trials of this multi-herb formula, so nothing can be said. It is a different product from gastrodia. | 19 |
| Joint Support | Potential benefit | Very low certainty | Nerve pain (radiculopathy and carpal tunnel): A small uncontrolled study of a branded Gastrodia-based product saw pain fall over two months, but with no comparison group it cannot show the product worked. | 8 |
| Better Sleep | Preliminary mechanism | Not enough evidence | Calm and sleep: Reviews say gastrodin is sedating and may improve sleep in animals. We found no human sleep trial. | 2 14 |
| Calm Relaxation | Preliminary mechanism | Not enough evidence | Calm and sleep: Reviews say gastrodin is sedating and may improve sleep in animals. We found no human sleep trial. | 2 14 |
B. Body systems
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nervous system | Adverse effect or risk | Not enough evidence | Sedation plausible from preclinical work; no human reports found. Preparation or compound: gastrodin |
2 |
| Digestive system | Adverse effect or risk | Low certainty | Gut reactions were a main category in a case series. Preparation or compound: gastrodin products |
20 |
| Nervous system | Potential benefit | Low certainty | Meta-analyses for migraine and tension-type headache; one delirium trial. Preparation or compound: gastrodin (purified) |
22 15 1 |
| Nervous System | Biological association | Low certainty | Studied for: Migraine Studied for: Tension-type headache | 22 7 15 13 1 18 21 3 8 2 14 |
| Cardiovascular System | Biological association | Very low certainty | Studied for: Blood pressure (gastrodin injection) Studied for: Tianma Gouteng Yin formula for high blood pressure | 12 19 |
| Musculoskeletal System | Biological association | Very low certainty | Studied for: Nerve pain (radiculopathy and carpal tunnel) | 8 |
I. Biomarkers
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Migraine attack frequency and length | Biological association | Low certainty | Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 22 |
| Tension-type headache frequency | Biological association | Low certainty | Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 15 |
| Delirium after surgery | Biological association | Low certainty | Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 1 |
| Drop in thinking test scores after surgery | Biological association | Low certainty | Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 18 |
| Dizziness Handicap Inventory and hearing | Biological association | Very low certainty | Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 13 |
| Systolic blood pressure | Biological association | Very low certainty | Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 12 |
| Diastolic blood pressure | Biological association | Very low certainty | Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 12 |
| Pain scores (NPRS and VAS) | Biological association | Very low certainty | Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 8 |
K. Biological pathways
L. Active compounds
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gastrodin | Biological association | Animal | Main active compound per reviews; the Pharmacopoeia sets a minimum gastrodin plus gastrodigenin content (Wikipedia, not verified). Rapidly absorbed, crosses the blood-brain barrier, sedative in preclinical work. Preparation or compound: tuber |
2 9 14 |
| 4-Hydroxybenzyl alcohol | Biological association | Unreviewed | Phenolic constituent (aglycone related to gastrodin). Activity not covered in the abstracts read. Preparation or compound: tuber |
9 6 |
| Parishin | Biological association | Animal | Listed among the characteristic metabolites (gastrodin, parishins). PubChem lists several parishin forms; the exact one behind this CID is not confirmed. Preparation or compound: tuber |
23 9 |
| Polysaccharides, organic acids and sterols | Biological association | Animal | About 134 components reported in total. Preparation or compound: tuber |
6 |
Each connection is stored with the ingredient, the connected record, the kind of connection, the evidence status, the supporting studies, the preparation or compound involved, and a review date (last reviewed October 25, 2026).
Evidence at a glance: what changed in 8 lab markers
Tap a number to show only those markers. Counts are markers, not people.
The evidence
The research centre for Gastrodia (Tian ma). Every record here was checked against PubMed or the publisher's page; we never list a study we have not verified.
Evidence by outcome
Bars show how many studies we found for each outcome, not how well it works. People are added up across trials only (reviews are not added, to avoid double counting).
How we rate evidence
High certainty
Several well-run trials or reviews agree; further research is unlikely to change the picture much.
Moderate certainty
Good trials point the same way, but some doubt remains.
Low certainty
Small, short or inconsistent trials. The finding could change with better research.
Very low certainty
Very little or very weak human data. Treat as a possibility only.
Mixed findings
Trials or reviews disagree with each other.
Not enough evidence
Not enough human research to say either way.
Evidence against
Good research found no benefit, or found harm.
We take the reviewers' own risk-of-bias and GRADE statements where they exist, and otherwise judge from study size, design, consistency, directness and whether a product matches what is sold. Many publications do not make evidence high. Method note: We searched PubMed and read each abstract directly, and checked the plant name through GBIF and compound IDs through PubChem. NCCIH has no gastrodia page; EMA, LiverTox and LactMed could not be opened; CITES and IUCN came from Wikipedia and were not checked. Full texts were not read.
Study library: every study we checked 23
| Study | Design | People | Product, dose, length | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bai 2025 Efficacy and safety of gastrodin in preventing postoperative delirium following cardiac surgery: a randomized placebo controlled clinical trial Crit Care · PMID 40069830 · DOI |
Controlled trial |
155 155 adults analysed (77 gastrodin, 78 placebo) having bypass surgery, with or without valve replacement |
Gastrodin infusion (hospital use) not applicable (purified compound) not covered here From the day of surgery to day 6 after · vs Placebo infusion |
Delirium occurred in 19.5% with gastrodin and 35.9% with placebo. Cognitive dysfunction in hospital was 2.9% and 4.0% in the placebo and gastrodin groups. Adverse events were 9.1% with gastrodin and 14.1% with placebo, none judged drug-related. Delirium RR 0.54 (95% CI 0.32 to 0.93 (p = 0.022)) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Delirium and cognitive dysfunction after surgery; adverse events Limitations: Single trial; the authors say larger studies are needed. Intravenous gastrodin in hospital, not a supplement. Registered ChiCTR1800020414. Funding and conflicts: Authors declare no competing interests. Read: abstract |
| Dai 2024 Gastrodin, a Promising Natural Small Molecule for the Treatment of Central Nervous System Disorders, and Its Recent Progress in Synthesis, Pharmacology and Pharmacokinetics Int J Mol Sci · PMID 39273485 · DOI |
Narrative review animal |
Literature review | Gastrodin not applicable not covered here n/a · vs n/a |
Says gastrodin has sedative and sleep-improving effects, is rapidly absorbed, widely distributed and crosses the blood-brain barrier. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Synthesis, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics Limitations: Narrative review; sedation and sleep findings come mainly from preclinical work. Funding and conflicts: Authors declare no conflicts. Read: abstract |
| Deng 2022 Gastrodin and Vascular Dementia: Advances and Current Perspectives Evid Based Complement Alternat Med · PMID 35463081 · DOI |
Narrative review |
Review of mechanism and methods; not a trial pool | Gastrodin not applicable not covered here n/a · vs n/a |
The authors say there is still a lack of evidence-based explorations and review mechanisms and methods for reference in clinical therapy. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Mechanisms of gastrodin in vascular dementia Limitations: Narrative review; no human trial results given in the abstract. Treated here as showing that vascular dementia evidence is mostly lab and animal. Funding and conflicts: Authors disclose no conflicts. Read: abstract |
| EMA 2026 EMA / HMPC: not found ema.europa.eu · Source |
Regulator record |
unspecified |
The EMA search page returned a security check and could not be read on 2026-10-25. A web search found no HMPC monograph for Gastrodia elata or Gastrodiae rhizoma. Methods, limits and fundingLimitations: Not confirmed: access was blocked, so absence is not proven. Read: summary-only | |
| GBIF Secretariat 2026 GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Gastrodia elata Blume GBIF species API (key 2813351) · Source |
Database record |
unspecified |
Accepted species Gastrodia elata Blume, family Orchidaceae, order Asparagales. Synonyms listed are forms and a subspecies (for example f. alba, f. glauca, subsp. alba). Methods, limits and fundingLimitations: Taxonomy only. Checked 2026-10-25. Read: full-text | |
| Gong 2024 Traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, applications, and quality control of Gastrodia elata Blume: A comprehensive review J Ethnopharmacol · PMID 37689324 · DOI |
Narrative review animal |
Literature review | Gastrodia elata (tubers, seeds and stalks) tuber, seed, stalk not covered here n/a · vs n/a |
About 134 chemical components were reported (phenolics, polysaccharides, glycosides, organic acids, sterols). Preclinical studies suggest neuroprotection, learning and memory, heart protection, vessel effects, antidepressant and anticancer effects. Quality may be affected by origin, fungus and harvest time. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Traditional use, chemistry, pharmacology, quality Limitations: A review; the findings it lists are preclinical (lab and animal). Funding and conflicts: No competing interests declared. Read: abstract |
| Guo 2025 The Pharmacological Effects of Gastrodin and the Progress in the Treatment of Neurological Disorders Am J Chin Med · PMID 40374368 · DOI |
Narrative review animal |
Literature review | Gastrodin not applicable not covered here n/a · vs n/a |
Says Gastrodia elata has long been used for headaches, dizziness, spasms, epilepsy, strokes and forgetfulness, and describes gastrodin effects on the nervous system in epilepsy, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and mood and cognitive disorders, mostly through mechanisms. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Pharmacology in nervous system disorders Limitations: Narrative review; not a trial pool. Funding and conflicts: Not stated. Read: abstract |
| Invernizzi 2026 Real-World Before-After Study of Gastrodia elata Blume-Based Nutraceutical Supplementation in Patients with Radiculopathy and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Nutrients · PMID 42124037 · DOI |
Uncontrolled before after |
34 34 adults who completed 2 months (neck or low-back radiculopathy and/or carpal tunnel syndrome) |
Branded Gastrodia elata-based nutraceutical (Assonal); exact content not given in the abstract unspecified not covered here 2 months · vs None (before-after, no control group) |
Pain on a 0-10 scale fell from 7.2 to 3.6 (NPRS) and 7.3 to 3.3 (VAS); function and quality of life scores improved. NPRS 7.2 to 3.6; VAS 7.3 to 3.3; EQ-5D-5L 0.49 to 0.81 Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Pain scores, function, quality of life Limitations: No control group, small, exploratory; improvement could come from time, placebo effect or other care. Branded product. Funding and conflicts: Funded by Agave Group srl; some authors are employees or the founder of Noivita Srls (the study says they did not take part in data analysis). Industry-linked. Read: abstract |
| NCBI PubChem 2026 PubChem compound records: gastrodin (CID 115067), 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol (CID 125), parishin (CID 44421666) PubChem PUG REST · Source |
Database record |
unspecified |
Gastrodin C13H18O7, 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol C7H8O2, and the compound PubChem titles "Parishin" C44H54O24. IDs found by name search 2026-10-25. Methods, limits and fundingLimitations: Parishin is a family of related compounds; the exact variant behind this CID is not confirmed here. Read: full-text | |
| NCCIH 2026 NCCIH: no Gastrodia page nccih.nih.gov · Source |
Regulator record |
unspecified |
The address https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/gastrodia returned "Page not found" (HTTP 404) on 2026-10-25. No NCCIH statement on gastrodia was found. Methods, limits and fundingLimitations: Absence of a page is not an endorsement or warning. Read: full-text | |
| NIH / 2026 LiverTox and LactMed: not found NCBI Bookshelf · Source |
Regulator record |
unspecified |
The Bookshelf page was blocked by a bot check, and a web search found no LiverTox or LactMed entry for Gastrodia or gastrodin (2026-10-25). Methods, limits and fundingLimitations: Not confirmed: absence is not proven. Read: summary-only | |
| Qian 2020 The effects of gastrodin injection on hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis Medicine (Baltimore) · PMID 32629695 · DOI |
Meta-analysis |
1525 13 studies, 1,525 people with high blood pressure |
Gastrodin injection added to conventional treatment not applicable (purified compound) not covered here not stated in abstract · vs Conventional treatment alone |
Gastrodin injection added to usual treatment lowered both blood pressure numbers and improved clinical efficacy. Heterogeneity between studies was very high for blood pressure (I-squared 89.3% and 92.3%). Systolic WMD -6.67 mmHg; diastolic WMD -4.52 mmHg; efficacy RR 1.18 (Systolic -10.30 to -3.04; diastolic -7.79 to -1.26; RR 1.10 to 1.26) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, clinical efficacy Limitations: Very large differences between studies. The abstract does not give study quality. Injection, an add-on to usual drugs. Not the herb. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Wang 2026 Efficacy and safety of gastrodin acupoint injection as an adjunctive therapy for sensorineural hearing loss with vertigo: A randomized controlled trial Am J Otolaryngol · PMID 42913182 · DOI |
Controlled trial |
100 100 adults with sensorineural hearing loss and vertigo |
Gastrodin acupoint injection added to usual treatment not applicable (purified compound) not covered here 4 weeks · vs Usual treatment alone (open label, no sham injection) |
Hearing and self-rated dizziness handicap improved more in the injection group. Adverse events: 10 of 50 with gastrodin and 9 of 50 with usual care; none serious. PTA -9.58 dB; DHI -13.57 points (PTA -12.55 to -6.61; DHI -17.52 to -9.63) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Hearing (pure-tone average) and Dizziness Handicap Inventory; adverse events Limitations: Single centre, open label, no sham injection and several background treatments, so the effect of gastrodin alone cannot be separated. Hearing loss with vertigo, not general dizziness. Funding and conflicts: Authors declare no competing interests. Read: abstract |
| Wikipedia contributors 2026 Gastrodia elata (Wikipedia) Wikipedia · Source |
Secondary reference |
tuber |
States IUCN Red List Vulnerable (2004 assessment) and CITES Appendix II with annotation #4; native from Nepal, Bhutan, India, Japan, Korea, Siberia, Taiwan and China; lives with the fungus Armillaria mellea; Chinese Pharmacopoeia requires a minimum of 0.25% gastrodin plus gastrodigenin by dry weight. Methods, limits and fundingLimitations: NOT verified at source: the CITES checklist, the IUCN record and the Pharmacopoeia entry were not opened. Used only to report what the page says. Read: full-text | |
| Yan 2021 Systematic review and meta-analysis of efficacy and safety of gastrodin in treatment of tension-type headache (Chinese-language journal) Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi · PMID 34581069 · DOI |
Meta-analysis |
1091 8 randomised trials, 1,091 people with tension-type headache (565 gastrodin, 526 control) |
Gastrodin capsules or injection not applicable (purified compound) not covered here not stated in abstract · vs Western medicine (conventional drugs) |
Gastrodin did better than western medicine on headache frequency, Doppler findings and effective rate. Capsules and injection both did better. GRADE rated the evidence low quality. Only one paper reported adverse reactions in detail, so safety could not be judged. Frequency MD -2.90; effective rate RR 1.47 (Frequency -3.76 to -2.03; effective rate 1.29 to 1.68) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Headache frequency, abnormal vessels on transcranial Doppler, effective rate Limitations: Overall quality of the included trials was not high. Few trials, low-quality evidence, and almost no adverse event reporting. Compared with drugs, not placebo. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Yang 2021 Modulation of the transport of valproic acid through the blood-brain barrier in rats by the Gastrodia elata extracts J Ethnopharmacol · PMID 34082013 · DOI |
Animal research animal |
Rats | Gastrodia elata extract with valproic acid unspecified Extract by mouth for 5 days (doses not reproduced here) 5 days · vs Valproic acid alone |
The ratio of valproic acid in brain to blood was about 0.36 alone, and rose to 1.47 and 1.02 after two extract amounts. Cyclosporin A brought it back to 0.38. The effect ran through the OATP transporter, not P-glycoprotein. The paper notes that valproic acid with this extract is commonly prescribed together in Taiwan and mainland China. Brain/blood ratio 0.36 to 1.47 and 1.02 Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Valproic acid brain-to-blood ratio Limitations: Rats only; no human data. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Yang 2022 Neuroprotective effect and herbal-drug pharmacokinetic interaction of Gastrodia elata extract on valproic acid Biomed Pharmacother · PMID 36411625 · DOI |
Animal research animal |
Rats with induced epilepsy (pilocarpine model) | Gastrodia elata extract with valproic acid unspecified not covered here not stated in abstract · vs Valproic acid alone |
The extract raised valproic acid levels in the brain and the combination reduced seizure severity more. A transporter blocker (cyclosporine A) partly blocked the effect, which pointed to the OATP transporter. Brain VPA level increased Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Brain valproic acid levels, seizure severity Limitations: Rats only. Not tested in people. Carbamazepine not tested. Funding and conflicts: Authors declare no conflicts. Read: abstract |
| Zhang 2011 Preventive effect of gastrodin on cognitive decline after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass: a double-blind, randomized controlled study J Huazhong Univ Sci Technolog Med Sci · PMID 21336736 · DOI |
Controlled trial |
200 200 patients having mitral valve replacement with heart-lung bypass |
Gastrodin (single dose given after anaesthesia induction) not applicable (purified compound) not covered here One dose; tests before surgery, at discharge and at 3 months · vs Saline |
At discharge, cognitive decline occurred in 9% with gastrodin and 42% with saline. At 3 months (87 and 89 people assessed) it was 6% and 31%. Adverse effects were similar in the two groups. Decline 9% vs 42% (discharge); 6% vs 31% (3 months) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Cognitive decline on a five-test battery; adverse effects Limitations: Older trial from one setting; about half of people were not assessed at 3 months. Hospital gastrodin, not the herb. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Zhang 2012 Tianma Gouteng Yin Formula for treating primary hypertension Cochrane Database Syst Rev · PMID 22696374 · DOI |
Systematic review |
0 No trials met the inclusion criteria |
Tianma Gouteng Yin formula (a multi-herb formula that contains tian ma; not gastrodia alone) multi-herb formula not covered not applicable · vs Placebo or no treatment |
No study met the inclusion criteria, so no conclusions could be made. The reviewers say well-designed randomised trials are needed. No eligible trials Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Blood pressure, quality of life, cardiovascular risk Limitations: This is a different product (a formula). Kept separate from gastrodia. Funding and conflicts: Cochrane: none known. Read: abstract |
| Zheng 2015 Analysis on 315 cases of clinical adverse drug reaction/event induced by gastrodin (Chinese-language journal) Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi · PMID 26390669 |
Case series |
315 315 patients with adverse drug reactions or events reported in Chongqing, 2008 to 2014 |
Gastrodin products (injection by drip or muscle, and oral) not applicable not covered here n/a · vs n/a |
593 reactions were reported, mainly in the gut and in the skin and its appendages; 61.9% were newly reported. Reactions to drip injection mostly began within 30 minutes (85.5%); oral within 2 hours (74.4%); all muscle injection reactions within 10 minutes. 19.0% followed off-label use and 21.0% followed an overdose. 315 cases; 593 reactions Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Types, timing and outcome of adverse reactions Limitations: Spontaneous reports from one city, with no denominator, so rates cannot be worked out. Mostly injected gastrodin. The abstract does not say how serious cases were or give the allergy details. Funding and conflicts: Not stated. Read: abstract |
| Zhou 2017 The efficacy of gastrodin in combination with folate and vitamin B12 on patients with epilepsy after stroke and its effect on HMGB-1, IL-2 and IL-6 serum levels Exp Ther Med · PMID 29201182 · DOI |
Controlled trial |
92 92 people with epilepsy after stroke (46 per group) |
Gastrodin combined with folate and vitamin B12, added to regular antiepileptic drugs not applicable (purified compound) not covered here Blood tests followed to day 90 · vs Regular antiepileptic drugs alone |
Total effectiveness was 95.65% in the combination group and 73.91% in the control group. Seizure frequency and MoCA scores improved more, and homocysteine and inflammation markers fell more. Effectiveness 95.65% vs 73.91% Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Treatment effectiveness, seizure frequency, MoCA cognition score, homocysteine, inflammation markers Limitations: The test group received three products together, so gastrodin alone cannot be judged. Small, no placebo described in the abstract, and the abstract does not report side effects. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Zhou 2022 Effectiveness of gastrodin for migraine: A meta-analysis Front Neurol · PMID 36090869 · DOI |
Meta-analysis |
1332 16 randomised trials, 1,332 people with migraine |
Gastrodin (purified compound), form not detailed in the abstract not applicable (purified compound) not covered here not stated in abstract · vs Not stated in abstract (control groups of the trials) |
Gastrodin was more effective than control for migraine, reduced pain, attack frequency and attack duration, and slowed average arterial cerebral blood flow velocity. Response RR 1.21; pain MD -1.65; frequency SMD -2.77; duration SMD -1.64 (Response RR 1.21 (1.17 to 1.27); pain -2.28 to -1.02; frequency -3.92 to -1.62; duration -2.35 to -0.93) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Response rate, pain degree, attack frequency and duration, cerebral blood flow velocity Limitations: The abstract does not describe trial quality or what the controls were. The authors call gastrodin safe, but the abstract gives no adverse event numbers. The very large effect sizes and unclear control treatments call for caution. Tested gastrodin, not the dried tuber. Funding and conflicts: Authors declare no commercial or financial conflicts. Read: abstract |
| Zhou 2025 From molecules to medicine: a systematic review of Gastrodia elata's bioactive metabolites and therapeutic potential Front Pharmacol · PMID 41282615 · DOI |
Systematic review animal |
Literature review | Gastrodia elata dried tuber tuber not covered here n/a · vs n/a |
Describes a perennial orchid with a 2,200-year medicinal history documented in the Shennong Bencaojing, over 100 metabolites (for example gastrodin and parishins), and says lab and animal studies support antioxidant and neuroprotective effects. Notes limited clinical trials for new uses. Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Traditional use, compounds, pharmacokinetics Limitations: Mostly lab and animal work. Funding and conflicts: No conflicts declared. Read: abstract |
What we do not know yet
- No trial of the plain dried tuber for any use.
- Most trials are Chinese, with unclear or low quality and open-label or combination designs.
- No human interaction data; seizure-drug findings are in rats only.
- No pregnancy, breastfeeding or liver data.
- EMA, LiverTox and LactMed were not confirmed; CITES and IUCN were not checked at source.
How new research is added
New studies are found by a saved PubMed search and placed in a review queue. A person checks each one before it is added.
Lab markers
What changed in blood or saliva tests during trials. A changed number is not the same as feeling or being healthier, and we give no "normal ranges".
Other 8
Migraine attack frequency and length
Lowered in trials
How many migraine attacks a person has and how long each lasts.
Low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
Fewer and shorter attacks are what migraine patients want.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Large reported effects; quality unclear; not the tuber.
Safety implication
The abstract gives no adverse event numbers.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | Frequency SMD -2.77 (-3.92 to -1.62); duration SMD -1.64 (-2.35 to -0.93); pain MD -1.65 (-2.28 to -1.02) | 1,332 people in 16 trials | Gastrodin (purified) |
Tension-type headache frequency
Lowered in trials
How often tension-type headaches occur.
Low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
A direct measure of how much headache people have.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
GRADE: low. Compared with drugs, not placebo.
Safety implication
Only one paper reported adverse reactions.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | Frequency MD -2.90 (-3.76 to -2.03) vs western medicine; effective rate RR 1.47 (1.29 to 1.68) | 1,091 people in 8 trials | Gastrodin capsules or injection |
Delirium after surgery
Lowered in trials
Sudden confusion and attention problems after an operation.
Low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
Delirium delays recovery.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
One trial; the authors ask for larger studies.
Safety implication
No drug-related adverse events reported.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 19.5% with gastrodin vs 35.9% with placebo; RR 0.54 (0.32 to 0.93) | 155 adults after bypass surgery | Gastrodin infusion vs placebo |
Drop in thinking test scores after surgery
Lowered in trials
A fall of one standard deviation or more on any of four thinking domains.
Low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
Tracks memory and attention problems after heart-lung bypass.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Single older trial; half of people not assessed at 3 months.
Safety implication
Adverse effects similar to saline.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | 9% vs 42% at discharge; 6% vs 31% at 3 months | 200 patients having valve surgery | Gastrodin vs saline |
Dizziness Handicap Inventory and hearing
Lowered in trials
A questionnaire on how much dizziness limits daily life, plus hearing level (pure-tone average).
Very low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
Shows whether vertigo and hearing improve.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Open label, no sham injection; the gastrodin effect cannot be isolated.
Safety implication
Adverse events similar between groups.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | DHI -13.57 points (-17.52 to -9.63); PTA -9.58 dB (-12.55 to -6.61) versus usual care | 100 adults with hearing loss and vertigo | Gastrodin acupoint injection plus usual care |
Systolic blood pressure
Lowered in trials
The top blood pressure number, in mmHg.
Very low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
High pressure raises the risk of stroke and heart disease.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Statistically significant but with very high heterogeneity.
Safety implication
May add to blood pressure medicines.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | WMD -6.67 mmHg (-10.30 to -3.04), 9 estimates, I2 89.3% | 1,525 people across 13 studies | Gastrodin injection plus conventional therapy |
Diastolic blood pressure
Lowered in trials
The bottom blood pressure number, in mmHg.
Very low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
Part of blood pressure control.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Statistically significant but with very high heterogeneity.
Safety implication
May add to blood pressure medicines.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | WMD -4.52 mmHg (-7.79 to -1.26), 9 estimates, I2 92.3% | 1,525 people across 13 studies | Gastrodin injection plus conventional therapy |
Pain scores (NPRS and VAS)
Lowered in trials
Self-rated pain on a 0-to-10 scale.
Very low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
Pain intensity is what patients feel.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Uncontrolled before-after change; cannot be assigned to the product.
Safety implication
Not reported in the abstract.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | NPRS 7.2 +/- 1.3 to 3.6 +/- 1.2; VAS 7.3 +/- 2.1 to 3.3 +/- 1.7 (p < 0.0001) | 34 completers, radiculopathy and/or carpal tunnel | Branded Gastrodia-based product, 2 months |
Safety
What studies and official sources say about side effects, medicines and who should check first. Each point shows what kind of evidence it comes from.
Main points to know 4
- Reactions are most documented with gastrodin injections. A review of 315 reported cases in Chongqing found most reactions were in the gut and in the skin, and began quickly after injection (within 30 minutes for most drips, within 10 minutes for muscle injections). Oral reactions mostly began within 2 hours. One in five cases followed an overdose, and one in five followed use for a reason not on the label. Injections are given by health workers; the plain dried tuber is a different product. Case series 20
- Mixing with seizure drugs needs a doctor. In rats, a Gastrodia elata extract raised the amount of valproic acid reaching the brain. This has not been tested in people, and nothing was found for carbamazepine. Anyone taking seizure medicine should not add it without their neurologist. Animal research 17 16
- Almost no safety information for pregnancy, breastfeeding, liver or long-term use. No pregnancy, breastfeeding, liver or kidney data were found for the tuber or for gastrodin. Absence of reports is not proof of safety. None found 11 10
- Wild orchid: buy sustainably sourced material. One reference page lists Gastrodia elata as Vulnerable (IUCN) and in CITES Appendix II. Wild digging may be restricted in some places; look for cultivated sources. This was not checked at the CITES or IUCN records. Secondary reference 14
Side effects 5
| Effect | How often | Severity and recovery | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gut problems (nausea, vomiting, stomach upset) The 315-case series says reactions were mainly in the gastrointestinal system. Type and rate are not in the abstract, and most cases were injections. | Not established | not stated not stated | Case series 20 |
| Skin and skin appendage reactions (rash and similar) The abstract lists damage to skin and its adnexa as a main category. It does not use the word allergy or say how severe. Quick onset after injection (muscle injections within 10 minutes) is consistent with immediate reactions, but the abstract does not say so. | Not established | not stated not stated | Case series 20 |
| Reactions during or after injection For drips, 85.5% began within 30 minutes; for muscle injections, all within 10 minutes. 593 reactions in 315 cases; 61.9% were newly reported. | Not established | not stated not stated | Case series 20 |
| Overall adverse events in trials The 2011 trial said side effects were similar to saline. These are hospital trials of injected gastrodin. | Delirium trial: 9.1% (7 of 77) with gastrodin vs 14.1% (11 of 78) with placebo, none drug-related. Vertigo trial: 10 of 50 vs 9 of 50, none serious. | not serious not stated | Controlled trial 1 13 18 |
| Dizziness or drowsiness No human report found. A review says gastrodin is sedative in preclinical work, so drowsiness is plausible; take care with driving until you know how you react. | Not established | unknown unknown | Pharmacological theory 2 |
Liver
No liver injury case reports for Gastrodia elata or gastrodin were found in the searches done. LiverTox could not be opened (bot check) and a web search found no entry. Absence is not proof of safety. The sources read do not report liver enzyme changes. 11 20
How often. No frequency data; no case reports found.
Monitoring. No monitoring advice found from any regulator. People with liver disease should ask their doctor.
This is a safety connection. It is not evidence that Gastrodia (Tian ma) supports liver health.
Medicines and supplements 5
| With | Why it matters | Importance | Evidence | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valproic acid (valproate) drug | In rats, Gastrodia elata extract raised valproic acid in the brain through the OATP transporter at the blood-brain barrier. | Unknown in people. Could raise or strengthen valproate effects, but this is not shown. The 2021 paper says the pair is commonly prescribed together in Taiwan and mainland China. | Animal research Not enough evidence 17 16 | Do not combine without the neurologist who prescribes the seizure medicine. |
| Carbamazepine drug | No gastrodin-carbamazepine study found. Searches found no human CYP3A4 data for Gastrodia. | Unknown. Carbamazepine is sensitive to many interactions, so a doctor should be asked. | None found Not enough evidence 17 | Ask the prescriber; do not assume it is safe or unsafe. |
| Other seizure medicines and sedatives (including alcohol) drug | Reviews describe sedative and anticonvulsant effects in lab and animal work. | Possible extra drowsiness; not shown in human studies. | Pharmacological theory Not enough evidence 2 7 | Ask a doctor or pharmacist before combining. |
| Blood pressure medicines drug | Gastrodin injection added to usual treatment lowered blood pressure in a meta-analysis (very high heterogeneity). | Could add to blood pressure drugs; unclear for oral tuber. | Meta-analysis Very low certainty 12 | Monitor blood pressure and tell the prescriber. |
| Drugs processed by liver enzymes (CYP) drug | No human CYP data for gastrodia or gastrodin found. No enzyme inhibition or induction can be claimed. | Unknown. | None found Not enough evidence 23 | Tell your pharmacist you take it. |
Who should check first 5
| Situation | Advice | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Pregnancy | No human or reliable animal safety data were found. A cautious choice is to avoid unless a doctor advises otherwise. This is precaution, not a documented harm. | None found 11 10 |
| Breastfeeding | No LactMed or other data found. Ask a doctor. | None found 11 |
| Children | Traditional use for infantile convulsions is mentioned, but no pediatric safety data were found. Do not give without a doctor. | Traditional use 22 |
| Taking seizure medicine (especially valproate) | Ask the neurologist first. Rat data show a change in brain valproic acid. | Animal research 17 16 |
| Known reaction to gastrodin products or other orchid-derived products | Skin and gut reactions are reported with gastrodin; avoid if you reacted before. Allergy to the dried tuber itself was not found in reports. | Case series 20 |
Overdose, product quality and regulators
Summary. No human or animal toxicity findings were read for the tuber. A case series of gastrodin products found that 21.0% of reactions followed an overdose and 19.0% off-label use.
Animal. Not found in the sources read.
Human doses studied. Not covered here. Trials were in hospital with injected gastrodin.
High dose or long term signals. Overdose was linked to 21.0% of reported reactions to gastrodin in the 315-case series. No long-term data found for the tuber.
Overdose response. Not found. Seek medical help for severe symptoms.
Genotoxicity. Not found.
Toxic plant parts. A 2024 review says tubers, seeds and stalks may be used for medicine, food or health products; the tuber is the traditional part. No toxicity data by plant part were found.
Quality may vary with origin, fungus partner and harvest time. We found no contamination or adulteration test results for gastrodia products.
Origin, fungus and harvest time change quality. A 2024 review says the quality of G. elata may be affected by origin, fungus and harvest time, which can affect the drug effect. 6
Regional quality marker (Zhaotong) and gastrodin content standard. A web search reported that Zhaotong tian ma has a protected geographical indication. Wikipedia states the Chinese Pharmacopoeia requires at least 0.25% gastrodin plus gastrodigenin. Neither was checked at source. 14
Tianma Gouteng Yin and gastrodin injection are separate products. The formula and the hospital injection are not the plain herb. Reactions and trial results cannot be carried across. 19 20
| Body | Action | Date |
|---|---|---|
| NCCIH (US) (United States) | No NCCIH page for gastrodia was found (the address returned Page not found). source | 2026-10-25 |
When to get medical help
- Hives, swelling of the face or throat, or trouble breathing after any gastrodin product
- Severe or repeated vomiting
- Fainting, severe dizziness or confusion
- Yellow skin or eyes, dark urine (possible liver problem; none reported but not ruled out)
- Seizures that change or get worse while taking it with seizure medicine
- Any reaction soon after an injection (most began within 30 minutes)
Stop the supplement and contact a clinician or emergency service. In the US, Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222.
General information only, not medical advice. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before use, especially with medicines, in pregnancy or with a health condition. See the Natural Remedy Safety guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is gastrodia (tian ma)?
Does gastrodia help migraine?
A 2022 meta-analysis of 16 trials found fewer and shorter attacks with gastrodin. Trial quality is unclear and none tested the plain tuber.
Is gastrodia good for headaches?
A 2021 review of 8 trials found gastrodin capsules and injection beat drugs for tension-type headache. The reviewers rated the evidence low quality.
Can it treat dizziness or vertigo?
It is a traditional use. The only trial found was open label, in people with hearing loss, and used gastrodin injection at acupoints plus usual care.
Is it used for epilepsy?
Is gastrodin the same as gastrodia?
Can it cause allergic or injection reactions?
A review of 315 reports found mostly gut and skin reactions, beginning within 30 minutes of a drip and within 10 minutes of a muscle injection. The abstract does not detail allergies. Reports mostly involve injections.
Does it interact with seizure drugs?
Can it make me dizzy or sleepy?
No human report was found. Reviews describe sedative effects in lab work, so take care with driving and other sedatives.
Is it safe in pregnancy or breastfeeding?
No data were found, so safety is unknown. Ask a doctor.
Is gastrodia an endangered orchid?
Wikipedia lists it as Vulnerable (IUCN) and in CITES Appendix II. This was not checked at those records. Prefer cultivated material.
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Editorial transparency
- Written by
- AlternativeMed editorial team. Research compiled with AI assistance, then checked against the original sources.
- Medical review
- None. This page has not been reviewed by a physician or pharmacist.
- First published
- 2026-10-25
- Last substantive update
- 2026-10-25
- How we research
- We searched PubMed and read each abstract directly, and checked the plant name through GBIF and compound IDs through PubChem. NCCIH has no gastrodia page; EMA, LiverTox and LactMed could not be opened; CITES and IUCN came from Wikipedia and were not checked. Full texts were not read.
- How we rate evidence
- See "How we rate evidence" in the Evidence tab.
- Independence
- No product is promoted on this page. No affiliate links are shown. The branded product study is funded by a company linked to the product, which is flagged.
Sources 23
Each source was opened and checked. Where we read only the abstract, it says so. The small numbers in the text point here.
- Bai YX, Wu HL, Xie WL, et al.. Efficacy and safety of gastrodin in preventing postoperative delirium following cardiac surgery: a randomized placebo controlled clinical trial. Crit Care. 2025. PMID 40069830. DOI 10.1186/s13054-025-05331-9. (abstract)
- Dai Y, Ban W, Yang Z. Gastrodin, a Promising Natural Small Molecule for the Treatment of Central Nervous System Disorders, and Its Recent Progress in Synthesis, Pharmacology and Pharmacokinetics. Int J Mol Sci. 2024. PMID 39273485. DOI 10.3390/ijms25179540. (abstract)
- Deng C, Chen H, Meng Z, et al.. Gastrodin and Vascular Dementia: Advances and Current Perspectives. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2022. PMID 35463081. DOI 10.1155/2022/2563934. (abstract)
- EMA. EMA / HMPC: not found. ema.europa.eu. 2026. (summary-only)
- GBIF Secretariat. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Gastrodia elata Blume. GBIF species API (key 2813351). 2026. (full-text)
- Gong MQ, Lai FF, Chen JZ, et al.. Traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, applications, and quality control of Gastrodia elata Blume: A comprehensive review. J Ethnopharmacol. 2024. PMID 37689324. DOI 10.1016/j.jep.2023.117128. (abstract)
- Guo H, Cheng D, Zhang C, et al.. The Pharmacological Effects of Gastrodin and the Progress in the Treatment of Neurological Disorders. Am J Chin Med. 2025. PMID 40374368. DOI 10.1142/S0192415X25500302. (abstract)
- Invernizzi M, Lippi L, Mulè S, et al.. Real-World Before-After Study of Gastrodia elata Blume-Based Nutraceutical Supplementation in Patients with Radiculopathy and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Nutrients. 2026. PMID 42124037. DOI 10.3390/nu18091438. (abstract)
- NCBI PubChem. PubChem compound records: gastrodin (CID 115067), 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol (CID 125), parishin (CID 44421666). PubChem PUG REST. 2026. (full-text)
- NCCIH. NCCIH: no Gastrodia page. nccih.nih.gov. 2026. (full-text)
- NIH / NLM. LiverTox and LactMed: not found. NCBI Bookshelf. 2026. (summary-only)
- Qian L, Yan S, Li Y, et al.. The effects of gastrodin injection on hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2020. PMID 32629695. DOI 10.1097/MD.0000000000020936. (abstract)
- Wang Z, Geng D, Yuan W, et al.. Efficacy and safety of gastrodin acupoint injection as an adjunctive therapy for sensorineural hearing loss with vertigo: A randomized controlled trial. Am J Otolaryngol. 2026. PMID 42913182. DOI 10.1016/j.amjoto.2026.104955. (abstract)
- Wikipedia contributors. Gastrodia elata (Wikipedia). Wikipedia. 2026. (full-text)
- Yan Y, Zhang YL, Jin XL, et al.. Systematic review and meta-analysis of efficacy and safety of gastrodin in treatment of tension-type headache (Chinese-language journal). Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2021. PMID 34581069. DOI 10.19540/j.cnki.cjcmm.20210615.501. (abstract)
- Yang L, Lin IH, Ting CT, et al.. Modulation of the transport of valproic acid through the blood-brain barrier in rats by the Gastrodia elata extracts. J Ethnopharmacol. 2021. PMID 34082013. DOI 10.1016/j.jep.2021.114276. (abstract)
- Yang L, Tsai TH. Neuroprotective effect and herbal-drug pharmacokinetic interaction of Gastrodia elata extract on valproic acid. Biomed Pharmacother. 2022. PMID 36411625. DOI 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113938. (abstract)
- Zhang Z, Ma P, Xu Y, et al.. Preventive effect of gastrodin on cognitive decline after cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass: a double-blind, randomized controlled study. J Huazhong Univ Sci Technolog Med Sci. 2011. PMID 21336736. DOI 10.1007/s11596-011-0162-4. (abstract)
- Zhang HW, Tong J, Zhou G, et al.. Tianma Gouteng Yin Formula for treating primary hypertension. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012. PMID 22696374. DOI 10.1002/14651858.CD008166.pub2. (abstract)
- Zheng YY, Dong Z, Lu XQ, et al.. Analysis on 315 cases of clinical adverse drug reaction/event induced by gastrodin (Chinese-language journal). Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2015. PMID 26390669. (abstract)
- Zhou H, Wang N, Xu L, et al.. The efficacy of gastrodin in combination with folate and vitamin B12 on patients with epilepsy after stroke and its effect on HMGB-1, IL-2 and IL-6 serum levels. Exp Ther Med. 2017. PMID 29201182. DOI 10.3892/etm.2017.5116. (abstract)
- Zhou X, Shao J, Xie X, et al.. Effectiveness of gastrodin for migraine: A meta-analysis. Front Neurol. 2022. PMID 36090869. DOI 10.3389/fneur.2022.939401. (abstract)
- Zhou X, Han M, Yan S, et al.. From molecules to medicine: a systematic review of Gastrodia elata's bioactive metabolites and therapeutic potential. Front Pharmacol. 2025. PMID 41282615. DOI 10.3389/fphar.2025.1641443. (abstract)