Harvesting and processing of Gastrodia elata

(1) Gastrodia elata should be harvested during the dormant period. Harvest in the second winter (November) or the third spring of winter planting. It is better to harvest in the winter of the year planted in spring or in the spring of the following year. When harvesting, carefully remove the topsoil, do not damage the hemp mouth or tuber, wait for the fungus to appear, first take the fungus, and then take Gastrodia elata, put the commercial flax, seed flax and hemp rice separately. Seed hemp as seed, hemp rice continues to be cultivated, and commercial hemp is processed and used as medicine.

(2) the harvested arrow hemp and large white hemp should be processed in time. When processing, wash off the soil first, then rub the scales, rough skin and black marks on the tubers repeatedly with rice bran or straw with a small amount of water, and finally rinse with clean water, put them into cages according to large, medium and small grades, steam the large ones (more than 150 grams) for 1 hour, the medium ones (100 grams 150 grams) for about 40 minutes, and the small ones (about 80 grams) for about half an hour. After steaming, take out 1.5% alum water to cool and dry or dry. When drying, the firepower should not be too large, the temperature should start at 70: 80 ℃, and then drop to 50: 60 ℃ after 2-3 hours of drying. the larger Gastrodia elata should be punctured with bamboo needle to facilitate internal water vapor exudation. When the hemp is half-dry, the flax becomes soft, pressed and flattened, and the flax is stopped and sweated. After the hemp regains moisture, the hemp is baked at 50-60 ℃ until fully dry. It takes too long to dry and is rarely used. Put it in a ventilated and dry place.