Natural Herb Library

Yuan Hu Suo Corydalis Root

Chinese
元胡索
Pinyin
Yuan Hu Suo
Latin
Rhizoma Corydalis
Botanical illustration of Root of Corydalis, Corydalis yanhusuo, showing Yuan Hu Suo raw tuber material and diagnostic source details.
Botanical plate by Kodi .

Known in TCM as Yuan Hu Suo (元胡索), this acrid and bitter, warm herb enters the Heart, Liver, and Spleen. Traditionally, it invigorates Blood, moves qi, and relieves pain ... Yuan Hu Suo remains one of the most direct traditional herbs for stagnation pain with both distention and fixation, most often applied for abdominal pain, dysmenorrhea, and chest pain. Modern research has identified Tetrahydropalmatine among its active constituents.

Part used: Rhizome

Also Known As

Corydalis Yan Hu Suo Yuan Hu

Latin: Rhizoma Corydalis | Pinyin: Yuan Hu Suo | Chinese: 元胡索

TCM Properties

Taste
acrid, bitter
Temperature
warm
Channels
Heart, Liver, Spleen

Traditional Use

Primary Actions

  • Invigorates Blood, moves qi, and relieves pain ... Yuan Hu Suo remains one of the most direct traditional herbs for stagnation pain with both distention and fixation.
  • Relieves digestive, flank, chest, and menstrual pain ... it is used where movement is blocked rather than where weakness alone explains the symptoms.
  • Supports trauma and postpartum pain treatment ... the raw tuber continues to function as a practical pain herb across gynecologic and injury settings.

Secondary Actions

  • This page preserves the Yuan Hu Suo naming lane and the larger premium rounded raw-tuber lot described in the illustration prompt.
  • The higher-grade lot appearance does not create a different herb identity ... it remains a raw Corydalis yanhusuo monograph.

Classic Formulas

  • Jin Ling Zi San ... classic constrained-pain pairing for Liver-Stomach stagnation with pain.
  • Yan Hu Suo Zhi Tong Wan ... corydalis-centered formula tradition for pain due to obstruction.
  • Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang modifications ... gynecologic stasis pain context where corydalis helps move and relieve.

Classical References

  • Yuan Hu Suo remains part of the same long pain-herb lineage that later editors and clinicians usually treat under the broader corydalis umbrella.
  • Its clinical meaning stays tied to moving both qi and blood rather than to any single modern disease label.

Modern Research

Active Compounds

  • Tetrahydropalmatine ... signature corydalis alkaloid associated with analgesic and sedative effects
  • Dehydrocorybulbine ... pain-related alkaloid studied in experimental models
  • Protopine and related isoquinoline alkaloids ... supportive constituents within the raw tuber profile
  • Alkaloid-rich fractions ... the pharmacologically dominant chemical group discussed in corydalis reviews

Studied Effects

  • A 2021 review summarized the analgesic properties of Corydalis yanhusuo and highlighted the alkaloid chemistry behind its reputation as a major traditional pain herb (PMID 34946576).
  • Experimental work reported significant antinociceptive activity across inflammatory and neuropathic pain models, supporting wide classical use for painful obstruction (PMID 27622550).
  • A 2022 review of processing and compatibility showed that preparation alters efficacy and safety interpretation, which matters when separating raw Yuan Hu Suo from prepared corydalis pages (PMID 35003289).

PubMed References

Safety & Interactions

Contraindications

  • Pregnancy
  • Heavy menstrual bleeding without stasis
  • Severe qi or blood deficiency pain without obstruction

Cautions

  • Yuan Hu Suo may be too dispersing when pain arises from depletion rather than stagnation.
  • Its alkaloids may cause dizziness, sedation, or gastrointestinal upset, especially in concentrated products or excessive doses.
  • Premium lot appearance should not be mistaken for a blank safety profile.

Conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Yuan Hu Suo Corydalis Root used for?

Yuan Hu Suo Corydalis Root is traditionally used to Invigorates Blood, moves qi, and relieves pain ... Yuan Hu Suo remains one of the most direct traditional herbs for stagnation pain with both distention and fixation., Relieves digestive, flank, chest, and menstrual pain ... it is used where movement is blocked rather than where weakness alone explains the symptoms., Supports trauma and postpartum pain treatment ... the raw tuber continues to function as a practical pain herb across gynecologic and injury settings.. Research has investigated its effects on: A 2021 review summarized the analgesic properties of Corydalis yanhusuo and highlighted the alkaloid chemistry behind its reputation as a major traditional pain herb (PMID 34946576).; Experimental work reported significant antinociceptive activity across inflammatory and neuropathic pain models, supporting wide classical use for painful obstruction (PMID 27622550)..

What are other names for Yuan Hu Suo Corydalis Root?

Yuan Hu Suo Corydalis Root is also known as Corydalis, Yan Hu Suo, Yuan Hu. In TCM: 元胡索 (Yuan Hu Suo); Rhizoma Corydalis.

Is Yuan Hu Suo Corydalis Root safe during pregnancy?

Yuan Hu Suo Corydalis Root is not recommended during pregnancy.

What are the contraindications for Yuan Hu Suo Corydalis Root?

Yuan Hu Suo Corydalis Root should not be used in: Pregnancy; Heavy menstrual bleeding without stasis; Severe qi or blood deficiency pain without obstruction. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.