Gastrodia elata is a commonly used and valuable Chinese medicine, which is often used in clinic for headache, dizziness, numbness of limbs, convulsion, epilepsy, convulsion, tetanus and other diseases. Gastrodia elata has a significant effect on headache and dizziness caused by hyperactivity of liver yang, and is often taken as a "tonic". At the sight of dizziness, regardless of physical weakness, qi and blood ups and downs, and indiscriminate use of Gastrodia elata, the result may be the same adverse reaction as the above patients.

The common adverse reactions of taking Gastrodia elata include dizziness, nausea, chest tightness, skin papules with itching and so on. Some people may have facial or systemic edema or even hair loss. Not only does gastrodia elata have this kind of reaction, but some people also have symptoms of allergic to gastrodia elata after taking decoction containing gastrodia elata, such as Banxia Baizhu Tianma Decoction, Tianma pills, Tianma sugar-coated tablets and other Chinese patent medicines. When using Gastrodia elata, "wrong medicine" is one of the important reasons for adverse reactions.

Therefore, when using Gastrodia elata, we should pay attention to the following points:

1. Gastrodia elata should be used with caution in patients with body fluid deficiency, blood deficiency and yin deficiency.

2. Pay attention to compatibility and applicability. "Herbal Yi Yan" has a description that "Gastrodia elata must be supplemented with other drugs, and then see its merits". Ancient and modern physicians rarely use gastrodia elata alone, but mostly use drugs according to different diseases and syndromes. Such as: Banxia Baizhu Tianma Decoction, Tianma Gouteng Drink, Tianma Pill, etc. Gastrodia elata is not effective or the effect is uncertain in clinic.

3. Even in the case of hyperactivity of liver yang and obstruction of collaterals by phlegm, we should carefully examine Gastrodia elata and grasp the pathogenesis in order to achieve good therapeutic effect.

4. Gastrodia elata should not be fried for a long time. Gastrodia elata is the main component of gastrodin, which is easily volatilized when heated. Gastrodia elata and other drugs will lose their effective components of sedation and analgesia due to heating. Therefore, it is best to wet Gastrodia elata with a small amount of water, soften it, cut it into thin slices, dry it in the sun or grind it into powder, and take it with the decoction, or grind it into pills and powder.

5. When gastrodia elata or gastrodia elata preparation is used alone, dizziness, chest tightness, shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting, accelerated heartbeat and itching of the skin occur. If it happens, stop taking the medicine immediately, and those with severe symptoms should go to the hospital in time.