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Often facing the incense burner, for a long time not tasting meat or fish.
A few spoonfuls of astragalus porridge, a cup of red arrowroot soup.
What use is a high salary? Idleness cannot be forgotten.
After my term ends next year, I plan to buy a snow-covered village. Bai Juyi’s “Living in Seclusion”
The poem reveals that Bai Juyi used both Huangqi and Chijian to cook porridge and soup as a health regimen. Given that “Chijian” refers to Tianma, it is evident that the practice of consuming Tianma in soup as a health supplement was already prevalent during the Tang Dynasty.
According to the fourth edition of the Taiwanese Pharmacopoeia, Gastrodia elata Blume, a dried tuber of the orchid family, is recorded as Tianma (http://en.whatsintcm.com/dt_articles/%e5%a4%a9%e9%ba%bb/). It is mainly produced in Guizhou, Yibin in Sichuan, Zhaotong in Yunnan, and Hubei in China, and is also cultivated sporadically in southern Taiwan. Because the entire plant is red without green leaves and resembles an arrow stuck in the soil, it is also called “Chijian”. Moreover, because it “does not move in the wind”, the main reason is that it is a saprophytic plant without leaves. Therefore, when the wind blows, while other plants with many leaves are swayed by the large wind surface, Tianma does not shake, hence the name “Dingfengcao”. Furthermore, it “shakes without wind”. Usually, at noon, when there is the least wind, due to strong sunlight and strong transpiration of plants, the stem shakes. Other plants rarely have this situation, so it is also called “Duyu” and “Guiduyao”. Later, due to word of mouth, it was called “Guiduyou”. In addition, because of its white color, it is also called “Bailongpi”. Moreover, ancient people believed that “Tianma is a naturally occurring hemp, sown by gods, and harvested by mortals”, which shows its preciousness. It is a perennial mycoheterotrophic herb without roots, relying on its lytic enzymes to dissolve and absorb Armillaria mellea for growth. According to the harvest time, it is divided into spring Tianma and winter Tianma. Spring Tianma, which is harvested before Lixia (the beginning of summer) when Tianma has just emerged from the soil and shoots out a flower spike, is usually wrinkled and white, with firm and shiny flesh, and a tender red bud at the top. Its quality is slightly inferior to winter Tianma. Winter Tianma, which is harvested after Dongzhi (the winter solstice) when the red buds of Tianma have not yet emerged from the soil, has a smooth, oily white skin, firm and shiny flesh, and a full tuber. However, because the above-ground stem has withered, it is more difficult to find. In addition, those that are light and hollow when soaked in water are called “Muzhupao” or “Muzhukou”, and their quality is the worst.
The Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing describes Gastrodia elata as having a pungent and warm taste. It is primarily used to eliminate evil spirits,蠱毒, and noxious qi. Long-term consumption is said to enhance physical strength, nourish yin, and promote health. Classified as a superior herb, Gastrodia elata contains gastrodin, a compound known for its memory-enhancing and anti-aging properties. Due to its efficacy and the challenges of cultivation, there are numerous adulterants on the market. Authentic Gastrodia elata can be identified by its unique characteristics, including a toad-like skin appearance (蟾蜍皮), a parrot’s beak-shaped bud (鸚哥嘴), a golden belt-like pattern (金腰帶), a navel-like depression (肚臍眼), and a glossy, horny cut surface. When steamed, authentic Gastrodia elata emits a urine-like or chicken manure-like odor. Common adulterants, such as earth gastrodia, lack these distinctive features. To ensure authenticity, it is recommended to purchase Gastrodia elata from reputable vendors.
“Furthermore, the Taiwanese government has established regulatory standards for the maximum levels of heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead, as well as sulfur dioxide residues in Gastrodia elata.
【Image Courtesy】Professor Zhang Xianzhe’s Authentic Medicinal Materials Illustrated Guide http://en.whatsintcm.com