Yan Hu Suo
StarCorydalis yanhusuo W.T.Wang
☯ TCM Properties
Invigorates Blood and Dispels Stasis; Moves Qi; Alleviates Pain
Traditional Chinese Uses
Yan Hu Suo (corydalis rhizome) is one of the most powerful analgesic herbs in Chinese medicine, used wherever pain from Blood and Qi stagnation is the primary complaint. It addresses menstrual pain, postpartum abdominal pain, chest pain, and pain from traumatic injuries — all conditions where stagnant Qi and Blood are obstructing the free flow through the channels. Modern pharmacology has confirmed its potent alkaloid-based pain-relieving mechanism, and it is widely used in modern Chinese clinical practice for various pain conditions.
Western Herbalism Properties
Botanical Description
Corydalis yanhusuo (Y.H.Chou & Chun C.Hsu) W.T.Wang ex Z.Y.Su & C.Y.Wu (Papaveraceae) is a small perennial herb 10-30 cm tall endemic to eastern China, with finely divided ternately compound bluish-green leaves and short racemes of pink to purplish-rose tubular spurred flowers in spring. From the base of the stem it forms a small subglobose to flattened-globose yellow tuberous rhizome 1-2.5 cm in diameter. For Yan Hu Suo, the tubers are dug after the aerial parts wither in early summer, boiled briefly until the centers turn yellow, dried, and often dry-fried with vinegar before use. In TCM, Yan Hu Suo is acrid and bitter in flavor and warm in nature, entering the Heart, Liver, Spleen, and Lung channels; it invigorates blood, moves qi, and is one of the strongest analgesic herbs for many pain patterns.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 6-15g | Daily | — | — | — |
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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