Used as an infusion, decoction, extract and tincture.

Yan Hu Suo is an important Chinese remedy that has been used for hundreds of years to help 'invigorate the blood' and relieve almost any painful condition.

It is used especially to relieve menstrual cramps, chest and abdominal pains. The plant contains powerful alkaloids that are responsible for this effect.

The root is analgesic, antiseptic, antispasmodic and sedative. It has traditionally been used to lower pain and strengthen the circulation.

It is used in the treatment of a wide range of ailments including lumbago, dysmenorrhoea, hernia, chest pains, insomnia and traumatic injuries.

Various extracts from the plant have shown antitussive, cardiotonic, hypotensive and anticancer activity.

Corydalis is a relative of the opium poppy that contains similar pain-killing alkaloids, but which are non-addictive as well as analgesic.

This herb is traditionally combined with the Peony and Licorice (Shaoyao Gancao Tang), in equal amounts, to make the basic formula for treating spastic pain – also combined with Coptis and Evodia, and the traditional Pteropus and Bulrush (Shixiao San), used for abdominal pain, menstrual pain, and pain due to injuries.

The tuber contains more than 20 active alkaloids, the most active of which are the cordalines, tetrahydropalmatine (THP), and protopine.

The alkaloids provide the herb with an analgesic effect that is about 1/10 of the strength of opium or 1/100 of the strength of morphine. The mechanism for its analgesic effect is similar to that of morphine, inhibiting the reticular-activating system in the brain stem, but without impacting opiate receptors. Chinese researchers report that 75 mg of THP daily was effective in reducing nerve pain in 78% of the patients tested.

Although the herb is far weaker than its stronger narcotic cousins, it is safer, and still has value in pain and stress relief, and as a sedative for insomnia. Corydalis can also be very sedating and therefore useful if there is insomnia associated with the pain. In insomnia patients, sleep was induced within 20-30 minutes after oral administration of 100-200mg dl-THP, without subsequent dizziness or vertigo.

Because of its usefulness in blood deficiency as well as in pain relief, it is an ideal herb for menstrual pain relief. Chinese researchers have demonstrated success in treating painful menstruation (dysmenorrhea), abdominal pain after childbirth, and headache with THP.

THP's analgesia and sedation have been shown to work, at least in part, by blocking postsynaptic dopamine receptors in the central nervous system. Unlike tranquilizers though, it does not affect brain serotonin levels, deplete monoamine stores, or block GABA receptors. It also has been shown to stimulate the secretion of ACTH (adreno-corticotrophic hormone) by the pituitary gland, which controls aspects of stress.

THP also has very valuable cardiovascular actions. It has been shown to decrease the stickiness of platelets, thereby protecting against stroke. It has also been shown to lower blood pressure and heart rate. THP also has been shown to have a muscle relaxing effect, working on smooth muscles as well as skeletal muscles. It reduced coronary resistance, increased coronary bloodflow, and dilated coronary blood vessels in rabbits, cats, and mice. The cumulative effect is to promote rhythmic efficiency. This, in effect, vasodilation, has been shown to be very helpful with migraine.

Corydalis is also useful for stomach ulcers, in that it helps decrease gastric secretions. In a large Chinese demonstration, patients with stomach and intestinal ulcers or chronic inflammation of the stomach lining were given a 90–120 mg extract of Corydalis daily, equal to 5–10 grams of the crude herb. 76% found significant healing and pain relief.

Side effects of Corydalis are minimal and toxicity is low, although CNS depression has been reported at high dosage levels.

The herb does not affect liver or renal functions, blood pressure or heart rate; and side effects associated with morphine such as nausea, respiratory suppression, and addiction are absent.

Use during pregnancy is contraindicated.

This is a potent 5 to 1 powdered extract, meaning that one gram of extract is equal in potency to 5 grams of herb.

Used as an infusion, decoction, extract and tincture.

Corydalis is a relative of the opium poppy that contains similar pain-killing alkaloids, but which are non-addictive as well as analgesic.

This herb is traditionally combined with the Peony and Licorice (Shaoyao Gancao Tang), in equal amounts, to make the basic formula for treating spastic pain – also combined with Coptis and Evodia, and the traditional Pteropus and Bulrush (Shixiao San), used for abdominal pain, menstrual pain, and pain due to injuries.

The tuber contains more than 20 active alkaloids, the most active of which are the cordalines, tetrahydropalmatine (THP), and protopine.

The alkaloids provide the herb with an analgesic effect that is about 1/10 of the strength of opium or 1/100 of the strength of morphine. The mechanism for its analgesic effect is similar to that of morphine, inhibiting the reticular-activating system in the brain stem, but without impacting opiate receptors. Chinese researchers report that 75 mg of THP daily was effective in reducing nerve pain in 78% of the patients tested.

Although the herb is far weaker than its stronger narcotic cousins, it is safer, and still has value in pain and stress relief, and as a sedative for insomnia. Corydalis can also be very sedating and therefore useful if there is insomnia associated with the pain. In insomnia patients, sleep was induced within 20-30 minutes after oral administration of 100-200mg dl-THP, without subsequent dizziness or vertigo.

Because of its usefulness in blood deficiency as well as in pain relief, it is an ideal herb for menstrual pain relief. Chinese researchers have demonstrated success in treating painful menstruation (dysmenorrhea), abdominal pain after childbirth, and headache with THP.

THP's analgesia and sedation have been shown to work, at least in part, by blocking postsynaptic dopamine receptors in the central nervous system. Unlike tranquilizers though, it does not affect brain serotonin levels, deplete monoamine stores, or block GABA receptors. It also has been shown to stimulate the secretion of ACTH (adreno-corticotrophic hormone) by the pituitary gland, which controls aspects of stress.

THP also has very valuable cardiovascular actions. It has been shown to decrease the stickiness of platelets, thereby protecting against stroke. It has also been shown to lower blood pressure and heart rate. THP also has been shown to have a muscle relaxing effect, working on smooth muscles as well as skeletal muscles. It reduced coronary resistance, increased coronary bloodflow, and dilated coronary blood vessels in rabbits, cats, and mice. The cumulative effect is to promote rhythmic efficiency. This, in effect, vasodilation, has been shown to be very helpful with migraine.

Corydalis is also useful for stomach ulcers, in that it helps decrease gastric secretions. In a large Chinese demonstration, patients with stomach and intestinal ulcers or chronic inflammation of the stomach lining were given a 90–120 mg extract of Corydalis daily, equal to 5–10 grams of the crude herb. 76% found significant healing and pain relief.

Side effects of Corydalis are minimal and toxicity is low, although CNS depression has been reported at high dosage levels.

The herb does not affect liver or renal functions, blood pressure or heart rate; and side effects associated with morphine such as nausea, respiratory suppression, and addiction are absent.

Use during pregnancy is contraindicated.

This extract is packed in Plum Flower Brand's nitrogen-flushed, safety-sealed dispenser bottle, a sample of which is pictured above. Plum Flower is one of the most distinguished herb houses in the world.

This is a pure herbal product with no additives. Extracted from sulfur-free and chlorine-free herbs for superior quality.

Manufactured in a low-temperature water extraction process to preserve herb integrity.

Extracted essential oils are replenished for proper potency.

Strict quality control testing to ensure microbiological and heavy metal safety.

Only powdered herb added to maintain purity (no artificial fillers such as lactose, cellulose or starch used).

TLC (Thin-layer Chromatography) tested to guarantee product quality.

Plum Flower takes great care to preserve delicate herbal oils, which are first evaporated using either a water or water-alcohol base in a process that never exceeds 100° centigrade.

Sealed vacuum chargers precisely control the temperature, ensuring that none of the oils are lost. Cheaper, high-temperature methods are common industry practice, but these tend to burn off the vital oils.

The facilities in Lanzhou and Guang Zhou, China, scientifically test each batch of herbs before, during and after the processing to make sure that all the active ingredients are present. Herbs are also tested to ensure that the formulas surpass all FDA guidelines regarding heavy metals. Those herbs exported to the U.S. are voluntarily submitted to the FDA for approval.

Finally, batches are regularly sent out for quality control testing in third-party labs to double-ensure that Plum Flower products are 100% free of pharmaceuticals, preservatives and dyes.

The Lanzhou and Guang Zhou factories are so clean, they are certified by the Australian Government’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (GMP). These standards surpass any of the FDA, and are considered the highest for any government agency in the world.