About Gastrodia elata
A traditional Chinese medicine orchid tuber (tian ma) used for headache, dizziness and cognition, typically within multi-herb formulas. Its marker gastrodin shows neuroprotective activity in preclinical models; robust standalone human evidence is lacking.
What Gastrodia elata supports
- Traditional neurological use; evidence mostly preclinical
How much Gastrodia elata to take
The RDA prevents deficiency. The effective range is what clinical trials used to actually move the outcome.
Effective
250–1500
mg
No established Western therapeutic dose; nominal range reflecting traditional tuber/extract use. Gastrodin is the main marker compound.
Clinical evidence
Limited clinical evidence. Preclinical neuroprotection; little standalone human data.