Botanical names: Corydalis turtschaninovii,
Corydalis yanhusuo
© Martin Wall
Parts used and where grown
Corydalis is an herb native to the Chinese province of Zhejiang. The portion of the plant
that is used medicinally is the tuberous rhizome.1
Corydalis has been used in
connection with the following conditions (refer to the individual
health concern for complete information):
Historical or traditional use (may
or may not be supported by scientific studies)
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, corydalis
is said to invigorate the blood, move qi (energy that travels through the body), and alleviate
pain, including menstrual, abdominal, and
hernial.2
Active constituents
Scientists have isolated a number of alkaloids from the tuber of corydalis, including
corydaline, tetrahydropalmatine (THP), dl-Tetrahydropalmatine (dl-THP), protopine,
tetrahydrocoptisine, tetrahydrocolumbamine, and corybulbine.3 Of the full range of
20 alkaloids found in the plant, THP is considered to be the most potent. In laboratory
research, it has been shown to exhibit a wide number of pharmacological actions on the central
nervous system, including analgesic and sedative effects.4 dl-THP has been found to
exhibit a tranquilizing action in mice. Scientists have suggested that dl-THP blocks certain
receptor sites (e.g., dopamine) in the brain to cause sedation.5
In addition to its central nervous system effects, studies in the laboratory have shown the
alkaloids from corydalis also have cardiovascular actions. For example, dl-THP has been shown
to both decrease the stickiness of platelets and protect against stroke,6 as well as lower blood pressure and heart rate in animal
studies.7 Additionally, it seems to exert an anti-arrhythmic action on the heart.
This was found in a small double-blind clinical trial with patients suffering from a specific
type of heart arrhythmia (e.g.,
supra-ventricular premature beat or SVPB).8 People taking 300–600 mg of
dl-THP per day in tablet form, had a significantly greater improvement than those taking
placebo pills.
Other human clinical trials on dl-THP have shown the ability to fall asleep was improved in
people suffering from insomnia after taking
100–200 mg of dl-THP at bedtime. No drug hangover symptoms such as morning grogginess,
dizziness or vertigo were reported by people
taking the alkaloid extract.9
Reports from Chinese researchers also note that 75 mg of THP daily was effective in
reducing nerve pain in 78% of the patients tested.10 Painful menstruation (dysmenorrhea), abdominal pain after childbirth, and
headache have also been reported to be successfully treated with THP.11
Extracts of the herb may also be useful in the treatment of stomach ulcers. In a large sample of patients with
stomach and intestinal ulcers or chronic inflammation of the stomach lining, a 90–120 mg
extract of the herb per day (equal to 5–10 grams of the crude herb) was found to improve
healing and symptoms in 76% of the patients.12
How much is usually taken?
For an analgesic or sedative effect, the crude, dried rhizome is usually recommended at
5–10 grams per day.13 Alternatively, one can take 10–20 ml per day of a
1:2 extract.14
Are there any side effects or interactions?
Corydalis should not be taken by pregnant
or nursing women.15 There have been several reports in Western journals of THP
toxicity, including acute
hepatitis.16 17 18 In addition, people taking corydalis
can experience vertigo, fatigue, and
nausea.19
At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions
with corydalis.
References:1. Zhu YP. Chinese Materia Media: Chemistry, Pharmacology, and
Applications. Australia: Harwood Academic Publishers, 1998, 445–8.
2. Bensky D, Gamble A, Kaptchuk T. Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia
Medica. Vista, CA: Eastland Press, 1993, 270.
3. Hsu HY. Oriental Materia Medica: A Concise Guide. Long Beach,
CA: Oriental Healing Arts Institute, 1986, 448–50.
4. Zhu YP. Chinese Materia Media: Chemistry, Pharmacology, and
Applications. Australia: Harwood Academic Publishers, 1998, 445–8.
5. Zhu YP. Chinese Materia Media: Chemistry, Pharmacology, and
Applications. Australia: Harwood Academic Publishers, 1998, 445–8.
6. Xing JF, Wang MN, Ma XY, et al. Effects of dl-tetrahydropalmatine on
rabbit platelet aggregation and experimental thrombosis in rats. Chin Pharm Bull
1997;13:258–60.
7. Lin MT, Chueh FY, Hsieh MT, et al. Antihypertensive effects of
dl-tetrahydropalmatine: an active principle isolated from corydalis. Clin Exper Pharm
Physiol 1996;23:738–42.
8. Xiaolin N, Zhenhua H, Xin M, et al. Clinical and experimental study of
dl-tetrahydropalmatine effect in the treatment of supraventricular arrhythmia. J
Xi’An Med Univ 1998;10:150–3.
9. Chang HM, But PPH. Pharmacology and Applications of Chinese
Materia Medica vol 1. Singapore: World Scientific Inc., 1986, 521.
10. Lin DZ, Fang YS. Modern Study and Application of Materia
Medica. Hong Kong: China Ocean Press, 1990, 323–5.
11. Zhu YP. Chinese Materia Media: Chemistry, Pharmacology, and
Applications. Australia: Harwood Academic Publishers, 1998, 445–8.
12. Chang HM, But PPH. Pharmacology and Applications of Chinese
Materia Medica vol 1. Singapore: World Scientific Inc., 1986, 521.
13. Bone K. Clinical Applications of Ayurvedic and Chinese
Herbs. Warwick, Queensland, Australia: Phytotherapy Press, 1996, 25–8.
14. Bone K. Clinical Applications of Ayurvedic and Chinese
Herbs. Warwick, Queensland, Australia: Phytotherapy Press, 1996, 25–8.
15. Bensky D, Gamble A, Kaptchuk T. Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia
Medica. Vista, CA: Eastland Press, 1993, 270.
16. Horowitz RS, Feldhaus K, Dart RC, et al. The clinical spectrum of Jin
Bu Huan toxicity. Arch Int Med 1996;156:899–903.
17. Kaptchuk TJ, Woolf GM, Vierling JM. Acute hepatitis associated with
Jin Bu Huan. Ann Int Med 1995;122:636.
18. Anonymous. Jin Bu Huan toxicity in adults—Los Angeles, 1993.
JAMA 1994;271:423–4.
19. Chang HM, But PPH. Pharmacology and Applications of Chinese
Materia Medica vol 1. Singapore: World Scientific Inc., 1986, 521.