Golden corydalis
StarCorydalis aurea
Synonyms: Odoptera aurea, Neckeria aurea
Western Herbalism Properties
Traditional Uses
Corydalis aurea was used by several Native American peoples. The Navajo (Kayenta) employed the plant for diarrhea, applied it to hand sores, and used it as a disinfectant for puerperal infection; it was also sprinkled on livestock for snakebites (Wyman and Harris, 1951). The Ramah Navajo used a cold infusion to soak watermelon seeds as a fertilizing treatment and fed the plant as fodder to sheep (Vestal, 1952). The Ojibwa inhaled the smoke of the burning root as a stimulant to clear the head and revive the patient (Smith, 1932).
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Botanical Description
Corydalis aurea, known as golden corydalis or scrambled eggs, is a low-growing biennial or short-lived perennial herb in the Papaveraceae family, typically reaching 15 to 40 centimetres in height. It forms loose mounds of pale blue-green, glaucous foliage; leaves are alternate, finely two- to three-pinnately compound, with small wedge-shaped leaflets that give a delicate fern-like appearance. The plant arises from a slender taproot. Bright golden-yellow flowers, 12 to 16 millimetres long, are borne in short terminal or axillary racemes from early spring into summer; each flower is bilaterally symmetrical with a single spur about 4 to 6 millimetres long and tipped with a slight upward curve. Fruits are slender pendent capsules, 15 to 25 millimetres long, that split to release small shiny black seeds. The species is widespread across western and northern North America on dry, gravelly, or disturbed soils from foothills to subalpine elevations.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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