WH Acupuncture & Herbs Centre

Tianma is the dried rhizome of Gastrodia elata Bi.,pertaining to Orchidaceae. It is collected from the Winter Begins Season to next year's clear and Bright Season. In winter when the rhizome is dry, the one colleted is known as "Dongma", of high quality, while in spring when the rhizome begins to sprout, the one is knows as "chunma", of low quality. After dug out, it is washed, thoroughly steamed, and then dried in low temperature and open space. After that is thoroughly mistened or steamed to become soft, and then cut into slices.

[ Medicinal Properties ]: Sweet and neutral; relate to liver meridian.

[ Medicinal Efficacies ]: Extinguish wind, stop convulsions; pacify liver and subdue yang.

[ Clinical Applications ]: 1. Stirring of liver wind, fright epilespy and convulsion      Tianma is neutral and mild. In combination with other medicinal , it can treat stirring of live wind, manifesting as fright epilepsy and comvulsions, in combination with Lingyangjiao and Gouteng; for example in Gouteng Decoction. It treats chronic infantile convulsions due to spleen insufficiency, in combinatio with Renshen and Baizhu, in Xingpi Pills. In case of tetanus, manifesting as spasms, convulsions and opisthotonos, it is combined with Tiannanxiang, Baifuzi and Fangfeng, such as in Yuzhen Powder.

2. Dizziness and headache        It treats dizziness and headache due to hyperactivity of liver yang, in combination with Gouteng and Shijueming; for example in Tianma Gouteng Decoction. Also it treats dizziness and headache due to up-stirring of wind-phlegm, in combination with Banxia and Baizhu, such as in Banxia Baizhu Tianma Decoction. In case of migraine and headache, it is used in combination with Chuanxiong of equa dosage.

It also can dispel wind and unblock collateral to treat arthritic pain, and unsmooth flexing and stretching of joints, in combination with Qinjiao, Qianghuo and Sangzhi.

[ Usage and Dosage ]: 3-9g. It is ground into powder to be taken infused with dosage of 1-1.5g.

[ Medicinal Comparison ]: Similarities: Both Tianma and Gouteng can pacify live, extinguish wind and subdue yang, to treat fright epilepsy and convulsions due to stirring of liver wind, and hyperactivity of liver yang, manifesting as headache and dizziness.

 Differneces:Gouteng is good at clearing heat and extinguishing wind, so it is effective for mild acute infantile convusions with high fever. Tianma is sweet and neutral and tends to moisten, but clearing heat is not as strong as Gouteng. It treats stirring of liver wind, manifesting as fright epilepsy and convulsions, regardless of cold, heat, deficiency and excess. Gouteng can clear heat and let pathogen out, to treat external contraction by wind heat, manifesting as headache, reddish eyes and macula failing to erupt. Tianma can dispel wind and unblock collateral , to treat numbness of four limbs, paralysis and arthralgic pain.

天麻为兰科植物天麻Gastrodia elata Bl.的干燥块茎。主产于四川、云南、贵州等地。立冬后至次年清明前采挖，冬季茎枯时采挖者名“冬麻”，质量优良；春季发芽时采挖者名“春麻”，质量较差。采挖后，立即洗净，蒸透，敞开低温干燥。用时润透或蒸软，切片。