Corydalis is a flowering herbal plant that grows in Siberia, Northern China and Japan. People utilize its root extract to alleviate menstrual cramps, chest pain and abdominal pain.
The tuber and root is commonly used to make medicine. It contains analgesic, antispasmodic, sedative, emmenagogue, deobstruent, anti-arrhythmic, bitter, blood stimulant, cardio-protector, hypnotic, alterative, analgesic, antiperiodic; astringent, contraceptive, diuretic, sedative and tonic properties.
Corydalis is a member of the poppy family, and like many Papaverceae Corydalis are an anodyne, a central nervous system depressant, cardiotonic, and sedative.
The dried rhizome of Corydalis is usually recommended at 5 – 10 grams per day in capsules. Can be taken as a tea, but it is bitter. Used with white peony, cramp bark and valerian for menstrual cramping, pain relief and insomnia.
Corydalis may be of benefit in chest pain caused by clogged arteries called angina. More studies are needed to determine if corydalis is effective for this use.
People with insomnia were able to fall sleep more easily after taking 100 to 200 mg per day of a corydalis extract (called dl-tetrahydropalmatine, or DHP), according to a preliminary report.
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 dysmenorrhoea (painful menstruation), hernia, chest pains, lumbago (chronic or recurrent soreness in the lumbar region, the back or loins) as well as harrowing injuries.
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.
For treating cataracts, the herb should always be used under the guidance of a competent medical professional.
Corydalis may interact with certain medications, including sedatives, hypnotics, drugs taken for irregular heart rhythms, some pain relievers, and anti-cancer drugs and may be unsafe for use during pregnancy.