9Corydalis Rhizome

Corydalis rhizome (Yan-hu-suo) – The Classic Pain-Relieving and Blood-Invigorating HerbCorydalis rhizome (Yan-hu-suo), also known as "Corydalis Tuber," "Dutchman's Breeches" or "Bleeding Heart," is the traditional Chinese name for the dried root tubers of Corydalis yanhusuo, a very bitter, warm, acrid herb from the poppy family that has been part of traditional Chinese herbal systems for over 1800 years, with documentation going back to the famous "Discussion on Blood Syndromes." This warm herb is particularly known for its ability to effectively promote normal blood circulation, resolve normal blood stasis, dissolve normal Qi stagnation, strongly reduce normal pain perception, ease normal menstrual pain, address normal trauma-related pain and support normal normal digestive discomfort – making it an ideal choice for people with a tendency toward normal Qi-blood-stasis-pain patterns, normal menstrual pain, normal trauma pain, normal chronic pain syndromes and normal normal pain-related limitations.Traditional Understanding in TCM Systems – "The Natural Painkiller"Within traditional Chinese medicine, corydalis rhizome (Yan-hu-suo) is described as "the natural painkiller" – one of the MOST EFFECTIVE blood-invigorating herbs in all TCM classic texts. In the TCM theoretical framework, it acts on the so‑called Liver, Heart and Spleen meridians. According to this traditional description, corydalis rhizome (Yan-hu-suo) "invigorates blood circulation very effectively," helps "resolve blood stasis," "dissolve Qi stagnation" and "ease normal pain" – crucial TCM concepts for normal pain medicine and normal blood health.Corydalis rhizome (Yan-hu-suo) is seen in TCM as "the most effective blood-invigorating pain reliever" – suitable for BOTH acute trauma pain AND chronic blood-stasis pain.Special Property: Very Strong Alkaloid-Pain Relief + Blood InvigorationCorydalis rhizome (Yan-hu-suo) distinguishes itself by its very rare combination of: (1) powerful natural alkaloids (tetrahydropalmatine, isocorypalmine) that DIRECTLY act on pain signals, (2) effective blood invigoration and (3) minimal side effects compared to synthetic painkillers. This makes it naturally suited for both normal acute pain AND normal chronic pain syndromes!Botanical Composition and ResearchCorydalis rhizome (Yan-hu-suo) contains over 60 bioactive alkaloids, of which the main ones are:Isoquinoline alkaloids (tetrahydropalmatine 2–4%, isocorypalmine – VERY pain relief!)Tetrahydrocolumbamine, corydaline, protopine, columbamine, coptisin (characteristic components)Dehydrocorydaline (DHC) and other triterpenoidsPhenolic compounds and organic acidsModern scientific research shows that corydalis rhizome (Yan-hu-suo) components can offer VERY effective benefits:Normal blood circulation promotion and stasis relief: Studies show that certain alkaloids can stimulate normal vessel circulation and reduce normal blood stasis – the classical "blood invigoration" effect.VERY POWERFUL normal pain relief: Numerous studies show that tetrahydropalmatine can reduce normal pain perception via normal dopamine-receptor interaction and normal NMDA-receptor modulation – this is VERY comparable to synthetic painkillers but WITHOUT addiction or physical dependence!Normal menstrual pain relief: Research shows that corydalis rhizome (Yan-hu-suo) is very effective for normal menstrual-related pain and normal blood stasis with cold character.Normal trauma pain and swelling support: Studies show that certain alkaloids can regulate normal inflammatory response and reduce normal swelling in normal trauma situations.Normal gastrointestinal health: Traditionally used for normal stomach pain, research shows that certain alkaloids can regulate normal gastric acid production and show normal stomach-protective effects.Anti-inflammatory action: Alkaloids can help maintain normal inflammation balance – relevant for normal pain-related inflammation.Normal sleep support: Studies suggest that certain alkaloids can improve normal sleep quality – probably through normal pain relief.NO addiction or physical dependence: In contrast to synthetic opiates, corydalis rhizome (Yan-hu-suo) shows NO normal tolerance development or normal physical dependence in long-term use!Traditional Applications – TCM ContextIn traditional TCM formulas, corydalis rhizome (Yan-hu-suo) is classically used in situations described as:Normal Qi-blood-stasis-pain patterns (many different types of pain!)Normal menstrual pain or normal dysmenorrheaNormal trauma pain or normal trauma swellingNormal breast-tightness pain or normal normal rib-tension painNormal normal abdominal pain with normal full sensationNormal normal flank pain or normal side painNormal normal postpartum abdominal painNormal normal stomach pain or normal epigastric painNormal chronic pain syndromes with normal stasis characterNormal heart pain symptoms (normal angina-like character)These are traditionalist descriptions that form part of the TCM thinking system and must not be equated with medical diagnoses in the sense of European medicinal product law.Warm Blood-Invigoration-Promoting and Pain-Relieving CharacterCorydalis rhizome (Yan-hu-suo) is traditionally seen as a "warm," "blood-invigoration-promoting," "Qi-regulating" and "very strong pain-relieving" herb – which effectively addresses normal Qi-blood-stasis-pain patterns.Classical Formulas: corydalis rhizome (Yan-hu-suo) as Chief IngredientCorydalis rhizome (Yan-hu-suo) is the CHIEF ingredient in very famous classical formulas:Yan Hu Suo Wan: simple formula for normal general painShao Fu Zhu Yu Tang (Warm the Menses and Eliminate Stagnation): for normal menstrual pain with coldGe Xia Zhu Yu Tang (Below the Diaphragm Eliminate Stagnation): for normal thoracic and abdominal painPreparation and DosageCorydalis rhizome (Yan-hu-suo) is traditionally:In prepared formulas (most common)As separate decoction (brewing for 15–20 minutes)Traditional dosage: 3–9g per formula (small dosage!)NOTES: Vinegar-prepared Yan-hu-suo (Cu Zhi) has STRONGER pain-relief effects!CAUTION: NOT FOR PREGNANCY OR BLEEDING CONDITIONSCorydalis rhizome (Yan-hu-suo) must NOT be used when:Pregnancy is present (can cause uterine contraction!)Persistent blood-related conditions (menorrhagia)Blood thinners are being used (may have interaction)Normal blood deficiency without tonification supportSeasonality and Daily UseCorydalis rhizome (Yan-hu-suo) is NOT suitable for daily long-term wellness use without specific pain indication. It is traditionally ONLY used for specific pain patterns (menstrual pain, trauma pain, blood-stasis pain) and NOT for preventive health.Well-being and Daily UseCorydalis rhizome (Yan-hu-suo) is valued by modern users ONLY as part of targeted pain-relieving formulas for normal Qi-blood-stasis-pain support. This herb is NOT suitable for independent daily standalone use without specific pain indication.Many users see corydalis rhizome (Yan-hu-suo) as part of normal pain-medicine practices – as a blood-invigoration-promoting, pain-relieving element for normal health, ALWAYS under the guidance of a qualified TCM doctor (especially for chronic pain syndromes).Very Safe Profile (When Not in Pregnancy)Corydalis rhizome (Yan-hu-suo) is known as very safe in long-term use – over 1800 years of experience use shows NO toxicity. It has minimal side effects and is widely used in professional TCM. The ONLY precaution is exclusively for pregnancy and persistent bleeding conditions!CAUTIOUS NOTE FOR THE CONSUMER – VERY IMPORTANTThis product is a dietary supplement for professional TCM use. TCM terms such as Blood Invigoration, Qi-Stasis Relief, Normal Pain Relief are system concepts that form part of a traditional thinking system and must not be directly equated with anatomical structures or disease explanations in modern medicine.This is NOT a medicine replacement, but SUPPORTIVE for normal pain perception in TCM context.If you have persistent pain problems, normal chronic pain syndromes or normal trauma-related concerns, you should always consult a qualified TCM doctor or medical expert BEFORE using this herb long-term.Corydalis rhizome (Yan-hu-suo) is the classic pain-relieving herb – "the natural painkiller" – over 1800 years of proven effectiveness without addiction!