Other Names: Yanhusuo • Asian Corydalis • Yán Hú Suǒ (中藥) • Chinese Poppy
✨ Energetic & Astrological Profile
Element: Earth + Water
Phase of the Moon: Waning Moon
Zodiac Signs: Scorpio, Pisces, Capricorn — offers deep healing for Aries and Virgo
Planets: Saturn, Pluto
Tarot Cards:
🩸 The Moon – mystery, hidden layers, subconscious healing
🔥 9 of Swords – relief from emotional pain
🌿 Justice – restoration of balance
🌒 Temperance – subtle alchemy and harmony
🌍 Habitat & Sensory Nature
Corydalis is native to China and parts of Siberia. It grows wild in cool forested hillsides, often around 1500–2000m elevation, tucked into shaded rocky places like a secret.
Flavour: Bitter, acrid
Temperature: Cooling
Humidity: Neutral
Tissue State Support: Stagnation, tension, blocked flow
🧬 Phytochemistry & Herbal Actions
Constituents:
- Alkaloids (notably tetrahydropalmatine or THP)
- Corydaline
- Glaucine
- Protopine
Primary Actions:
Analgesic • Sedative • Antispasmodic • Circulatory Stimulant • Mild Tranquiliser • Anti-inflammatory • Qi-Mover (in TCM terms)
💊 Medicinal Benefits
Corydalis is one of the strongest natural pain relievers in herbal medicine, often referred to as “herbal morphine” — without the same addictive potential. But it’s more than just physical relief — it also tends to emotional pain woven into the body.
🌿 Pain Relief:
- Helps reduce nerve pain, menstrual cramps, musculoskeletal discomfort, and post-surgical pain
- Often used for chronic pain, especially where stagnation or cold is involved
- Works well for migraines, tension headaches, and abdominal discomfort
🌿 Nervous System Support:
- Promotes calm and restful sleep (especially when pain or anxiety is keeping you up)
- Eases emotional tension, restlessness, and stress-related insomnia
🌿 Circulatory Health:
- Stimulates blood flow and helps move “stuck” energy (think cold limbs, poor circulation, stagnation in the womb or abdomen)
🌿 TCM Use:
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Corydalis is said to invigorate the blood and move Qi, particularly when emotional repression is showing up as physical pain.
🧘 Emotional & Energetic Benefits
Corydalis speaks to those carrying pain that doesn’t have a clear name — that quiet ache in the body that echoes old grief, heartbreak, or suppressed anger. It helps release stuck stories held in the muscles and nerves.
- Excellent for people who “soldier on” while hurting
- Brings a sense of “emotional anaesthesia” when the pain is too loud to hear your own thoughts
- Best taken when you're ready to rest, reflect, and recover
Corydalis reminds us: you don’t have to earn your rest through suffering.
🧒 Child-Friendly Use
⚠ Not recommended for children due to its strong alkaloid content.
⚠️ Contraindications
⚠ Avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding
⚠ May interact with sedatives or medications that affect dopamine
⚠ Large doses may cause drowsiness — avoid driving or operating machinery after use
⚠ Not for long-term continuous use without supervision from a qualified herbalist
🧪 Dosage & Preparation
🌼 Tincture (1:5): 10–40 drops, up to 3x daily for pain or stress
🌼 Capsules or Powdered Root: 500–1000mg, 1–2x daily
🌼 Tea: Not commonly used as a tea due to its bitterness and potency — extract is more common
🛒 Shop This Herb
Coming soon: Corydalis-infused blends for pain relief, womb support, and night-time calm. Join our herbal mailing list to be the first to know when it drops 🌙
🔮 Daz’s Diagnosis
Corydalis is like that quiet friend who doesn’t say much — but shows up in the middle of the night with soup, a heating pad, and just the right words. She’s a balm for pain, both seen and unseen.
If you’ve been pushing through discomfort with a stiff upper lip, Corydalis encourages you to let yourself soften. She won’t fix your problems, but she’ll make the weight of them feel more bearable. Sometimes, that’s enough to begin healing.
This is a plant for those holding pain in silence, and it whispers: “You don’t have to hold it alone.”
Disclaimer: The information shared in these plant profiles is intended for educational and inspirational purposes only. The uses and properties described are based on traditional knowledge, folk practices, and historical sources. They are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner or clinical herbalist before using any herbs, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, on medication, or managing a health condition.
