Corydalis

Corydalis yanhusuo






COMMON NAMES
Corydalis
Corydalis Rhizome
Corydalis is an herb that grows relatively low to the ground and has finely divided thin leaves and pinkish
flowers. This plant is indigenous to northern parts of China, Japan and Siberia. Corydalis is closely
related to the opium-poppy and thrives even in the severe climatic conditions prevalent in the northeast
Asia. The plant stays alive in such conditions by reserving majority of the energy produced by it inside its
solid and vividly yellow hued tuber. The root or rhizome of the herb is dried out and subsequently sliced
into cutaways and is made use of in herbal medications.
Corydalis is a perennial plant that usually grows in shade along the edges of woodlands. The flowers of
the herb are hermaphrodite in nature, possessing male as well as female organs.
PARTS USED
Root.
USES
Corydalis possesses soothing, narcotic and tranquilizing properties and is commonly used to alleviate
abdominal pains.
Corydalis forms an integral part of the traditional Chinese medicine and has been extensively used for
centuries to lend a hand in stimulating the circulatory system as well as alleviate nearly all excruciating
conditions. This herb is especially prescribed by herbal medicine practitioners to mitigate menstrual
cramps, chest and abdominal soreness. In fact, the pain relieving characteristic of the herb is attributed to
the extremely potent alkaloids enclosed by it. The root of the corydalis herb possesses palliative or pain
relieving, tranquillizing, anti-septic and anti-spasmodic properties. Corydalis is believed to be warm by
nature and possess an overpowering and astringent flavor. The herb is related to the treatment of the
heart, liver and spleen. Many Chinese herbal medicine practitioners also use the herb to lower blood
pressure. You may prepare a tea, a tincture or a decoction with corydalis. Presently, extracts of corydalis
roots are also available in the market.
The root of the herb has been conventionally recommended to relieve pains as well as reinforce the
circulation system for hundreds of years. In effect, the root of the herb is effectively used to treat a
number of physical conditions, such as dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation), hernia, chest pains,
lumbago (chronic or recurrent soreness in the lumbar region, the back or loins) as well as harrowing
injuries. Usually, the root of the plant is unearthed and cut during the latter part of spring or early phase of
summer after the aerial parts of the herb has withered away. After harvesting, the root is dried and stored
for use afterwards. Different extracts from corydalis have demonstrated to possess cardio tonic,
antitussive (a substance used to suppress cough) anti-cancer and hypotensive (substance that causes
low blood pressure) properties.
As discussed above, corydalis has an assortment of medical benefits. Some of the benefits of the herb
with reference to definite health conditions are mentioned below.
Nervousness and insomnia: corydalis is especially effective in treating nervousness,
sleeplessness and restless leg syndrome. The tranquilizing properties of this herb make it a
useful medication in treating insomnia and nervousness. In addition, the potent alkaloids
enclosed by the plant enhance the sleep-stimulating essence of the barbiturates (a salt or ester of
barbituric acid), which is approximately 40 per cent as effectual as morphine as far as
encouraging sleep is concerned. In America, herbal medicine practitioners combine corydalis with
California poppy (scientific name Eschscholzia californica) to cure anxiety, restlessness,
sleeplessness and edginess.
Cataracts: corydalis has been found to be extremely useful in preventing as well as treating
cataracts. Alcohol extracted from the corydalis root inhibits the development of cataracts related
with diabetes.
Allergy: dehydrocorydaline, an element of the potent alkaloids extracted from the corydalis
rhizome, slows down the allergic reactions caused due to the intervening of antibodies. In
addition, this alkaloid constituent also has an effect on allergies caused due to the reconciliation
of the cells. According to scientists, the action of the corydalis tuber in slowing down allergic
reactions is partially credited to the alkaloidal element dehydrocorydaline.
Heart: study on rodents showed that extracts from the tuber of the corydalis decrease the size of
infracts (local tissues of the heart that are deprived of blood supply) and, thus, perks up the
functioning of the heart in myocardial ischemia/ reperfusion (the restoration of blood flow to a
tissue that did not receive blood supply) by slowing down apoptosis (programmed cell death). The
defensive result of corydalis on myocardial ischemia/ reperfusion damage is intimately related to
the slowing down of myocardial apoptosis by means of alteration of the Bcl-2 family.
Pain alleviation: a controlled trial was conducted with corydalis and Angelica dahuricae to
observe the effects of these substances on pains caused by cold pressor in humans. As evident
from above, during this experiment, scientists assessed the palliative impact of two herbs -
corydalis and Angelica dahuricae. These scientists adopted the cold pressor approach, which is
an easy, dependable and extensively utilized form in humans, for initiating stimulated pain. The
researchers observed that following the administration of only one oral dose of the extracts of
Angelica dahuricae and corydalis, the acuteness of the pain as well as the botheration caused by
it reduced remarkably. The scientists also examined the analgesic effect of these two medications
dose-wise. The findings of this controlled trial established that extracts of these two herbal
medications - corydalis and Angelica may perhaps posses a latent clinical significance to treat
gentle to restrained soreness.

HABITAT AND CULTIVATION
Corydalis thrives best on the edges of forests or woodland gardens where there is a blend of sunlight and
shade as well as the edge of shade. This herb also grows well in marshy beds. This plant is low-growing
and has a preference for humid and properly drained light soil. It is apparent that corydalis is unaffected
by the rapacity of rabbits.
Corydalis is propagated by seeds and it is best to sow the seeds immediately when the seeds are
matured. The utility of corydalis seeds is lost quickly when it is let to dehydrate. The seeds of this herb
need to be sowed on the surface of the soil and the soil should be kept humid. Generally, the seeds take
anything between one and three months to germinate provided the temperature is around 15 C. If you
allow two warm months and then provide a cold layering, it will enhance the potential of the seeds that
have been stored for latter use.
It is important that the corydalis seeds are sowed near the surface of the soil in order to let the seedling
develop without any obstruction in a container during the first year of their growth. In order to make
certain that the seedlings receive proper nourishment, use liquid fertilizers throughout the growing
season. During their first year of their existence, corydalis seedlings produce a solitary leaf and during
this period the plants are vulnerable to damping off (a disease of seedlings, arising either before or
instantly after emerging from the soil, typified by decaying of the stem at soil level and eventual collapse
of the plant, caused by any soil fungi). Segregate the seedlings into separate pots when they are inactive
and grow them individually in a semi-shaded area of a greenhouse for a minimum of another year.
Put the young plants in their permanent places outdoors while they are dormant during the beginning of
the third year of their growth. The division of the plants need to be undertaken once their flowering
season is over.
SIDE EFFECTS AND CAUTIONS
Corydalis should be mixed with California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) in order to obtain the optimum
results while treating nervousness, sleeplessness and restless leg syndrome. A herbal product branded
Corydalis Formula' from Spanda is said to be most effective in treating these conditions. For treating
cataracts, the herb should always be used under the guidance of a competent medical professional.
It is important to note that pregnant women should not use this herb or it extracts. Regular use of this
herb leads to acceptance and may even result in the cross-tolerance to morphine. Any person using any
sort of medications for insomnia ought to be cautious of the combined consequences of the sleeping pills
and this herb. As the herb encloses a compound that depresses the central nervous system, it should be
used carefully when you are consuming alcohol. Though there has been no instance of toxicity owing to
the use of corydalis, overdose is likely to produce shaking and tremors.






HOMEOPATHIC USE


CORYDALIS FORMOSA

Turkey-pea (CORYDALIS DICENTRA CANADENSIS)

Syphilitic affections. Ulcers of mouth and fauces. Cancer cachexia pronounced. Gummata and night-
pains. Chronic diseases, with atony. Tongue clean, broad, and full. Tissues flabby, doughy, cold. Gastric
catarrh (Hydrast).

Skin.Dry, scaly scabs on face of old people. Lymphatic glands swollen.

Relationship.Nit ac; Kali iod; Fluor ac.

Dose.Tincture, twenty drops three times a day.