Corydalis tuber (Yanhusuo)-Corydalis turtschaninovii Bess. f. Yanhusuo, Y. H. Chow et C. C. Hsu

Corydalis tuber (Yanhusuo)

Pharmaceutical Name: Rhizoma corydalis Yanhusuo

Botanical Name: Corydalis turtschaninovii Bess. f. Yanhusuo, Y. H. Chow et C. C. Hsu

Common Name: Corydalis tuber

Source of Earliest Record: Kaibao Bencao

Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical Preparations: The rhizomes are dug at the Beginning of Summer (seventh solar term). After the fibrous roots have been removed, the rhizomes are boiled for three minutes, dried in the sunshine and pounded into pieces.

Properties & Taste: Pungent, bitter and warm

Meridians: Heart, liver and spleen

Functions: 1. To invigorate blood and promote qi circulation; 2. To stop pain

Indications & Combinations: Pains due to qi and blood stagnation. Corydalis tuber (Yanhusuo) is used with Sichuan chinaberry (Chuanlianzi), Chinese angelica root (Danggui), Chuanxiong rhizome (Chuanxiong), Frankincense (Ruxiang) and Myrrh (Moyao).

Dosage: 5-10 g

Note: Frying with vinegar enhances this herb's ability to stop pain.