Extinguish wind
Tian Ma
天麻
Gastrodia tuber
Gastrodia elata
Extinguishes internal wind. The dizziness and headache herb in school.
Not for self-dosing. This page is not a formula, not a strength, and not a substitute for a licensed herbalist or physician.
Category
Neutral · Sweet
Meridians entered
Traditional uses
A neutral tuber, unusual because it is an orchid symbiont. Texts use it for headache, dizziness, and numbness framed as liver wind. It does not treat stroke, vertigo disease, or seizures. Those are emergencies or specialist care.
Common pairings
- Gou Teng 钩藤
The wind pair. Tian Ma is neutral, Gou Teng is cooler and is added later in cooking notes.
- Chuan Xiong 川芎
When wind and blood stasis are both used to explain a stubborn head pain.
Cautions
Not for self-dosing. Care in pregnancy. Conservation and cultivation matter; wild orchid products are a problem. Not for sudden neurological symptoms.
Points with a similar aim
Jaw Bone
Masseter point for a tight jaw.
Listening Palace
The hollow in front of the ear, found with the mouth soft and open.
Use caution
Extending Vessel
Below the outer ankle, opening point of the Yang Qiao.
Use caution
Wind Screen
The hollow behind the earlobe.
Use caution
Silken Bamboo Hollow
Outer eyebrow hollow for temple-side headaches.
Use caution
Pupil Crevice
Outer corner of the eye. Fingertip only.
Use caution
Leading Valley
Above the ear, a temple-headache landmark.
Wind Pool
The skull-base hollows for neck headache and “wind.”
Use caution