Upon analyzing literature and patent data sourced from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and IncoPat, this study delves into the research hotspots and development trends in Gastrodia elata food. The results reveal that the number of Chinese publications on Gastrodia elata food has shown fluctuating growth over the past two decades, with a significant acceleration noted in the last three years. The collaboration network in the Gastrodia elata food research community has become polarized. Major research areas include the identification of active ingredients, the investigation of pharmacological impacts, and process optimization. China leads in terms of patents related to Gastrodia elata food, with Guizhou Province at the forefront. While China is innovatively developing various forms of Gastrodia elata food, South Korea focuses on the compositions of Gastrodia elata food. Health supplements derived from Gastrodia elata are primarily available in granule and tablet forms, with those aimed at enhancing immune enhancement being the most widely prevalent. Looking ahead, strengthening industry-academia-research collaboration and fostering international partnerships is crucial to accelerate the translation of Gastrodia elata food research into practical applications. Additionally, there is a need for a deeper exploration of its diverse potential health benefits.