Abstract: Gastrodia elata Bl. is used for both culinary and medicinal purposes. It contains a variety of bioactive components such as gastrodin, parishin, p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, polysaccharides, and has good health-promoting functions such as improving memory, helping sleep, and anti-epilepsy effect. At present, much progress has been made in the research on bioactive components in Gastrodia elata Bl. and their biological activity, but a systematic summary is lacking. Therefore, this article summarizes the basis for the application of Gastrodia elata Bl. in common foods and health foods, and reviews recent progress in research on major bioactive components in Gastrodia elata Bl. and their pharmacological effects and action mechanisms. We anticipate that this review will provide a reference for the reasonable application of Gastrodia elata Bl. in the food field and further research on its health benefits.

Key words: Gastrodia elata Bl.; basis for use; bioactive components; health benefits; mechanism