Dendrobium, a precious Chinese herbal medicine known as "the first of the nine great herbs in China", has been famous for its outstanding medicinal value since ancient times. Dendrobium belongs to the orchid family and is mainly distributed in southern China and Southeast Asia . Its stems and flowers can be used as medicine with a long history. The main varieties of Dendrobium include Dendrobium officinale, Dendrobium Huoshanense, and Dendrobium jinchai. These varieties have their own characteristics, but they are all famous for their nourishing and health-care effects. Dendrobium tastes sweet and is slightly cold in nature. It has the effects of nourishing yin and moistening dryness, clearing away heat and detoxifying , and is particularly suitable for improving eye health.

The history of Dendrobium's medicinal use can be traced back thousands of years. In the Shennong's Herbal Classic, Dendrobium is listed as a top-grade product, saying that "long-term consumption can strengthen the intestines and stomach, lighten the body and prolong life." The Compendium of Materia Medica also records that Dendrobium "clears the stomach, removes deficiency heat, promotes the production of body fluids, and cures fatigue. It can be used as a substitute for tea, and it can stimulate the appetite and strengthen the spleen." The evaluations of these ancient medical books fully affirm the excellent effects of Dendrobium in nourishing the stomach, nourishing yin, and clearing heat.
Dendrobium plant characteristics
Dendrobium is a perennial herb with a cylindrical stem that is tough and rich in mucus. Dendrobium prefers a warm and humid climate and a semi-shady and semi-sunny environment. It is not cold-resistant and is an epiphyte. The stem of Dendrobium is the main medicinal part, containing rich alkaloids, polysaccharides, phenolic compounds and other compounds . These ingredients give Dendrobium a variety of pharmacological effects, such as anti-cancer, antioxidant, and immune regulation. Although the flowers of Dendrobium are beautiful, they are not often used for medicinal purposes and are mainly used for viewing.

There are many varieties of Dendrobium, including Dendrobium officinale, Dendrobium jinpin and Dendrobium Huoshanense, among which Dendrobium officinale is the most precious.
Dendrobium officinale is known as the "gold among medicinal materials". Its stem is cylindrical, tough, rich in mucus, and has the highest medicinal value. It is particularly suitable for nourishing and health care.
Dendrobium officinale is famous for its unique shape and medicinal effects. Its stem is flat and is often used to treat eye diseases and nourish the body.
Huoshan Dendrobium is famous for its high quality and unique growing environment. It is considered the best among Dendrobiums. Its stem is thinner, softer in texture, and has significant medicinal effects.
Indications and effects of Dendrobium
Dendrobium is considered a "Yin nourishing medicine" and is very effective for diseases that Chinese medicine believes are caused by rising virtual fire, such as: diabetes, dry symptoms such as skin and throat, heat caused by staying up late, red veins in the eyes or dry eyes, vision loss, menopausal syndrome, hot flashes and sweating, and the sequelae of cancer, especially nasopharyngeal cancer .

The polysaccharides and flavonoids in Dendrobium can strengthen the body's immune system and enhance resistance. Dendrobium can also effectively clear away heat and detoxify, and is suitable for treating eye problems caused by heat, such as red eyes and swollen eyes.
The unique efficacy of Dendrobium officinale
Dendrobium officinale has a protective effect on retinal ischemia, and Dendrobium can delay cataracts. Phenolic compounds can increase the powerful antioxidant "superoxide dismutase" (SOD), reduce the content of lipid peroxides, and also have anti-aging effects.
As for eye vision protection, the threat of retinal ischemia to eye vision cannot be underestimated. It may affect the obstruction of the central retinal artery and vein, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma and other eye diseases. Research and experimental discussions have found that giving Dendrobium officinale before and after injury has a protective effect on retinal ischemia.
Dendrobium officinale: a treasure among dendrobiums
Dendrobium officinale is a species of Dendrobium, belonging to the Orchidaceae family. Dendrobium is the general name for this species, which includes many different varieties. Dendrobium officinale is considered to have the highest medicinal value among all Dendrobiums, so it is also called "gold among medicinal materials" and "giant panda of plants", and even has the reputation of "life-saving magic grass".
It is rich in polysaccharides, bioalkaloids and other ingredients, and has the effects of nourishing yin and moistening dryness, enhancing immunity, and anti-oxidation. Other types of dendrobium such as golden hairpin dendrobium and chrysanthemum club dendrobium also have their unique effects, but may not be as good as officinale in some aspects.

The difference between Dendrobium and Dendrobium flower
Both the stem and flower of Dendrobium can be used as medicine, but the main medicinal part is the stem. The stem of Dendrobium is rich in mucus. Good quality Dendrobium will produce gelatin after being ground into powder, which will make the soup sticky when boiled . This sticky substance can replenish a lot of water, so it can "nourish yin".
Dendrobium flowers are the flowers of the Dendrobium plant. Dendrobium flowers bloom every year, and the amount of flowers is amazing, which makes Dendrobium flowers a beautiful ornamental plant. However, the medicinal value of Dendrobium flowers is still under research, and it is currently mainly used as a new food ingredient. But it is not often used for medicinal purposes . In recent years, Dendrobium flowers have begun to be used as a new food ingredient, but their medicinal value is still under research.

The popularity of Dendrobium flowers is mainly due to their beautiful appearance and low planting costs, but the medicinal value of Dendrobium flowers still needs further research and verification. Therefore, if you want to absorb the benefits of Dendrobium, it is recommended to eat traditional Dendrobium stems.
Modern Applications of Dendrobium
As time goes by, Dendrobium officinale is gradually recognized as a high-value health food, especially in terms of nourishing and protecting the eyes.
Modern medical research has confirmed that Dendrobium has a variety of pharmacological effects. Alkaloids in Dendrobium, such as dendrobium amine, have anti-cancer, antioxidant, and immune-regulating effects. Dendrobium polysaccharides mainly have the function of enhancing immunity and can be used for immune regulation to treat autoimmune diseases such as Sjögren's disease. Dendrobium can also promote the secretion of gastric juice, aid digestion, and increase intestinal motility, which has a laxative effect. This is consistent with the evaluation of "the holy medicine for nourishing the stomach" in ancient medical books.
The active ingredients in Dendrobium officinale can promote tear secretion and improve dry eyes, which is especially suitable for office workers and students who use computers or mobile phones for a long time. Dendrobium officinale is rich in antioxidants, which can effectively fight free radical damage caused by ultraviolet rays and electronic blue light, maintain the health of the eye lens, and reduce the risk of vision loss. The polysaccharide components in Dendrobium officinale can effectively regulate immunity, stimulate the proliferation and activity of immune cells, and improve the body's disease resistance. In addition, Dendrobium officinale can also promote liver health by soothing the liver and activating blood circulation, and indirectly improve vision problems.
Dendrobium is suitable for people who use electronic products for a long time, such as office workers and students, who are prone to eye fatigue and dryness. Elderly people's eyesight tends to decline with age, and eating a moderate amount of Dendrobium can help maintain healthy eyesight. People with low immunity, who often feel tired or sick, can enhance their resistance by eating Dendrobium.
Notes
Although Dendrobium has many benefits, there are also some taboos that need to be noted. People with weak and cold constitutions should avoid using cold medicines to avoid affecting their health.
People who are taking other medications are advised to use it under the guidance of a doctor to avoid drug interactions. In addition, when choosing high-quality dendrobium, you can pay attention to the following points: the appearance should be golden yellow with green, round and full, without obvious wrinkles or discoloration; the texture should be tough and elastic, and it should be sticky and have little residue after chewing; the source should be selected from well-known production areas (such as Huoshan, Yunnan, etc.) to ensure its quality and efficacy.
Conclusion
Dendrobium, a precious Chinese herbal medicine known as "the first of the nine great herbs in China", has become an important research object in the field of modern medicine and health care for its outstanding medicinal value and multiple functions. Whether it is nourishing yin and moistening dryness, clearing away heat and detoxifying, or improving vision and enhancing immunity, Dendrobium can provide significant help. When choosing and using Dendrobium, we should pay attention to its quality and source to ensure its efficacy and safety. The wonderful world of Dendrobium is worthy of our in-depth exploration and research.