Dactylorhiza, Finger root

Marsh Orchid, Spotted Orchid
Salam Panja, Munjataka (Ayurveda)
Dbang lag  དབང་ལག  (Tibetan)
Hong Men Lan (China)
Picture Picture A species of Dactylorhiza, listed as ‘Female Orchid’ and used as Salep.
Herbarum Vivae Eicones, Otto Brunfels, 1530

Picture Wild Finger root (Dactylorhiza hatagirea)
(Photo by Manas Badge)

Picture Finger root, Chengdu Herbal Medicine Market (Adam, 2016)

Botanical name:


Dactylorhiza spp.
  1. D. hatagirea (syn. Orchis latifolia var. indica, O. hatagirea)
  2. D. sambucina (collected in Greece)
  3. D. incarnata and D. romana (used in Turkey and Iran as Salep)
  4. D. salina (Tibet)
  5. D. umbrosa etc.
In Tibetan texts, 5 types are differentiated based on the number of tubers. That with 5 tubers is called ‘God’s hand’ (Lha lag) and is considered best.

Parts used:


Root / Tuber; that with 5 tubers like a hand is considered best.
Widely distributed throughout the Himalayas, Western China, Tibet, Afghanistan, central Asia and Europe.

Temperature & Taste:


Neutral/Slightly Warm, moist. Sweet

Uses:


1. Strengthens Kidneys, Nourishes Yin, Benefits Yang: (Unani, Ayurveda, Tibet)
-viewed as an aphrodisiac
-Impotence, Infertility; enhances Libido and Fertility, increases testosterone
-chronic Kidney disease, Diabetes
-lower back pain
-premature ageing; regarded as a Longevity tonic

2. Benefits Spleen and Qi: (Unani, Ayurveda, Tibet)
-strengthening tonic; increases strength;
-useful after chronic illness and convalescence
-Nervous debility
-Fatigue, poor appetite
-lowered Immunity

3. Nourishes Yin, Clears Heat: (Unani, Ayurveda, Tibet)
-Chronic Fever, Weakness and Wasting
-Gout, Erysipelas
-also for Thirst

4. Clears Phlegm, Benefits Lungs:
-Cough, Hoarseness

5. Externally:
-paste of the roots are applied to Fractures in India
-root powder is applied to Wounds to stop bleeding (Nepal)


Dose:


As a nutritious tonic it is often prepared with Milk, as in Salep.
Powder: 1–4 grams

Comment:


1. Dactylorhiza was formerly grouped under Orchis. This is one of a number of species of Orchid that has supplied Salep.
2. Due to over-harvesting, it has become critically endangered in some regions.

Substitute:


1. This has been used as a substitute for Salep, Orchis (Satyrion).
2. See Orchis (Satyrion) for various other substitutes.
3. Herminium monorchis and Ponerorchis chusua are classed as varieties and are used similarly in Tibetan Medicine.

Preparation:


1. Boiled Dactylorhiza
  As soon as the root are dug they are washed then boiled in twice the amount of water until the water is absorbed. This makes the root more warming..(Tibet)
2. Milk Boiled Dactylorhiza:
  The same preparation as above, substituting Milk for water, makes the roots far more nourishing. (Tibet)

Main Combinations:


1. As a Kidney tonic and Aphrodisiac:
i. Dactylorhiza with Withania, Asparagus, Soloman’s Seal (as in Gso Byed 6 Pa of Tibetan Medicine)
ii. to the above can be added Cordyceps for more severe conditions.
2. Chronic Cough, Breathlessness, Dactylorhiza with Rhodiola, Licorice

Major Formulas:


Codonopsis 18 (Klu bdud bco brgyad)
The Melting Solar Disk (Ju byed nyi mai dkyil khor)

Cautions:


None noted

CITES listing
This medicine is endangered in the wild. However, it is now farmed.

Main Preparations used:



  • Extra Info
  • Research
1. Aphrodisiac Activity of Dactylorhiza hatagirea
2. Improvement of penile erection, sperm count and seminal fructose levels in vivo and nitric oxide release in vitro by Ayurvedic herbs.