Corydalis (yan hu suo)

Corydalis yanhusuo

Traditionally attributed effects: moves blood and qi and is an important pain-relieving herb.

Safety notes

Not during pregnancy. Consult your doctor if you take sedatives. Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.

Cautions by tradition (1)

Chinese materia medica: Have chest pain assessed medically at once.

Preparation

Tuber. Usually as a decoction, together with other herbs.

Use in traditions

Described in the classical Chinese materia medica, in the group 'herbs that move the blood'. Yan hu suo is one of the most important pain-relieving herbs of Chinese medicine, used for abdominal, menstrual and chest pain. The alkaloid tetrahydropalmatine has been studied as a painkiller and sedative.

Applications

Use by tradition

How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.

Chinese materia medica

Nature and taste: pungent, bitter, warm
Meridians: liver, lung, spleen, heart

Attributed effects

For pain from stagnation of blood or qi: menstrual pain, absent menstruation, stomach pain, chest pain and injury. Besides moving the blood, also directly pain-relieving.

Preparation and amount

Traditional dosage: 3–9 g a day, usually in a decoction. Related to the poppy.

Combinations

With dang gui, myrrh and frankincense for pain
With dan shen for tightness in the chest
With white peony and licorice for abdominal pain

Caution: Have chest pain assessed medically at once.

Ways to prepare herbs: Decoction
Formulas: Ge xia zhu yu tang Jia wei wu yao tang

Sources

All herbs from Asia →