Corydalis Plant

Although the corydalis plant is not well known in the West, it is one of the indispensable plant varieties used by traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners. Known to reduce pain, corydalis also helps to relax, control blood pressure and soothe abdominal pain. Corydalis covers 470 types of plants that grow in the plains of Northern China, Japan and Siberia. In China, corydalis is a small plant with thin leaves and pink flowers. This plant belongs to the poppy family and is closely related to the opium (red) poppy. This plant, which usually grows in the Zhejiang mountainous regions of the Eastern China province, is known as the geese in Turkish, while it is called Yan hu suo in China.

Some herbalists claim that it is the most effective pain reliever that comes right after opium. Unlike opium, corydalis does not cause serious side effects and does not lead to addiction. However, caution should be exercised in using it because the evidence supporting its use is limited and it is not safe during pregnancy.

Traditional Usage

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it is claimed that corydalis activates blood and activates life energy. It is an essential ingredient in many TCM formulas to reduce pain and discomfort caused by certain conditions and these conditions are as follows:

• Menstrual cramps
• Stomach pain and abdominal problems
• Hernia pains
• Traumatic injuries and nerve damage

In addition, according to TCM, chordates are blended with other botanicals for enhanced benefits.

Active Compounds

The detail that makes corydalis plant a popular remedy for bitterness lies in the corydalis roots. Roots are abundant in various medicinal alkaloids and they are as follows:

• THP: Tetrahydropalmatine
• L-THP: L-Tetrahydropalmatine
• DHCB: Dehydrococrybulbin
• DHC: Dehydrocorydaline
• Berberine

Highly concentrated ones like THP, L-THP, DHC and DHCB also have an effect on the brain in relieving pain and promoting relaxation. Its pain-relieving properties have not yet been studied in humans, but animal studies are promising. In many animal studies, all of the aforementioned compounds reduced pain from tissue injury, nerve damage, bone cancer, and chronic inflammation. In one animal study, DHCB did not cause drug tolerance or addiction in animals, unlike morphine and other opioids. The geese plant has its pros and cons, just like any other herb use. Its pros are as follows:

• Natural pain reliever
• May reduce bowel discomfort
• Can promote relaxation
• Can balance blood pressure
• Can protect the heart
• Can help with substance abuse
• Cons of the corydalis plant are as follows:
• Limited clinical research
• Unsafe during pregnancy or breastfeeding
• May be toxic in large quantities
• It can interfere with other medications.

Benefits of the Geranium Plant

Corydalis, also known as the geese plant, has many scientifically proven health benefits. Some of these benefits are as follows:

Relieving pain is also effective: Pain is one of the body’s defense against harmful stimuli. Multiple pathways synchronize to control pain, and Corydalis alkaloids can help by acting on them all. These are as follows:

• Opioid receptors
• Dopamine receptors
• Inflammation

Normally produced opioids, endorphins and encephalins help to cope with everyday social situations that minimize fear, pain, and anxiety. In addition, these molecules play an important role in acute stress response and appetite through all opioid receptors. Opioid pain relievers strongly activate these receptors while relieving chronic and severe pain. While DHC also activates opioid receptors in chorids, other compounds in the plant can prevent side effects. In addition, corydalis reduces chronic pain from nerve damage by blocking certain dopamine receptors. Inflammation is part of the body’s natural response to infection and injury. However, persistent inflammation can turn into chronic pain, and DHC helps lower inflammatory markers. Corydalis works by safely activating the opioid system, reducing inflammation and fine-tuning the dopamine in the brain.

Osteoarthritis and cancer pain: More than one-third of the pain relieving TCM herbal cocktails are used corydalis as a key ingredient. It is particularly popular in premenstrual syndrome (PMS), menstrual cramps, and endometriosis medications. Several clinical studies have been conducted to support its pain relief effects. Two weeks of Corydalis supplementation reduced pain in 36 cancer patients. It has worked just as well as diclofenac (Voltaren), a popular nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Importantly, corydalis caused minimal side effects, while patients taking diclofenac experienced intestinal discomfort, liver and kidney damage.

In a small clinical study of 79 patients suffering from osteoarthritis, corydalis was as effective as diclofenac in reducing knee pain. Corydalis root is a key ingredient in a popular pain relief TCM blend called Yuanhua analgesic capsule. In one study, the capsules reduced arm pain after exposure to cold heat in 15 healthy volunteers, and higher doses gave faster results. Corydalis can reduce pain as well as synthetic anti-inflammatory drugs, but it has fewer side effects.

Abdominal pain and ulcers: Everyone has experienced abdominal pain at one or another place in their life, and most people have resolved on their own. However, some people often suffer from stomach pain on a daily basis due to stomach ulcers or low stomach acid. Stomach ulcers are sores on the stomach lining or small intestines that can cause a dull, throbbing pain. Bacterial infection with H. pylori and chronic use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are two common causes of most ulcers. H.pylori infection may not cause any trouble. However, when bacteria multiply, painful ulcers can occur. Causes of stomach ulcer pain include:

• Weakening of the protective stomach lining
• Stomach tissue becoming more sensitive to acid
• Increased tissue inflammation

Jinlingzi and HZJW are TCM herbal powders containing two popular chorids recommended to help with ulcer and stomach pain. In animals with stomach ulcers, both powders protected the gastric lining, reduced ulcer size and inflammation. In addition, HZJW can directly kill H.pylori.

Low stomach acid: In addition to ulcers, it is a sign of persistent burning-like stomach pain, low stomach acid, or functional dyspepsia. Symptoms of dysepepsia include poor digestion, a feeling of heaviness after meals, and chronic constipation. Corydalis root is an essential ingredient in DA-9701 or Motilitone, an herbal remedy for functional dyspepsia. In 2 clinical trials involving more than 800 patients, Motiliton (30-50 mg per day for 4 weeks) greatly improved low stomach acid symptoms and provided relief from stomach pains and cramps. Corydalis in multi-herbal formulations help relieve stomach pain and inflammation caused by ulcers or low stomach acid.

Nerve damage: When nerves are damaged, the body often responds with sharp, burn-like pain. This type of pain is called neuropathic and affects approximately 10% of adults. Even worse, standard treatments for neuropathic pain (antidepressants and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are generally not effective. For many people, neuropathic pain has become a chronic and lifelong condition that greatly reduces their quality of life. Animals with spinal nerve damage also reduced corydalis neuropathic pain. Unlike most painkillers, even high doses of the herb did not cause drowsiness or addiction. In another study, corydalis reduced burning sensation and pain in mice with a sinister sciatic nerve. It has worked for both acute and chronic pain. Corydalis reduces pain caused by damaged or pinched nerves without making the person drowsy, but the evidence is still limited.

Drug addiction: In the United States, about 130 people die daily from drug overdose. Overdose deaths have increased 6-fold in the last two years and indicate a crisis of opioid use. Many of these drugs are powerful pain relief opioids. Although beyond the scope of its traditional uses, corydalis helps fight addictions. In addition to relieving pain, which can reduce the use of synthetic opioids, it also reduces drug cravings. In clinical studies conducted on 119 heroin-dependent patients, L-THP (60 mg 2X per day) from corydalis significantly reduced heroin withdrawal symptoms for a month. And in animals, it reduced harmful cravings for L-THP. These harmful substances are as follows:

• Cocaine
• Morphine
• Oxycodone
• Methamphetamine
• Alcohol
• Nicotine

Corydalis reliably relieves pain caused by stomach ulcers, nerve damage and osteoarthritis. It can also help drug addiction, but more clinical studies are needed.

Other Health Benefits of Corydalis

Besides many known benefits of corydalis, other health benefits are as follows:

Anxiety and insomnia: Anxiety affects 300 million people worldwide, but 40% do not respond to standard treatments such as antidepressants. TCM herbalists describe corydalis as soothing and calming. It is often prescribed for anxiety, insomnia, and restless legs syndrome. Corydalis is an ingredient in JWZXG, a popular TCM blend of 9 herbs. Analysis of 14 clinical trials has confirmed that it reduces anxiety. Their effects are similar to azapirons, a class of anti-anxiety medication. It did not reduce anxiety as much as SSRI antidepressants, yet it is safer and better tolerated. In animals, an active compound from corydalis root called dl-THP promoted calmness and reduced agitation. These associated symptoms are advanced depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. L-THP also helps you fall asleep while in pain. In mice with inflamed sciatic nerve, L-THP treatment helped deeper and longer sleep. Corydalis may be a useful remedy for anxiety and sleep, but clinical studies are needed to confirm benefits.

Heart health: Corydalis roots are used by TCM practitioners to assist in the treatment of various heart conditions such as high blood pressure and irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia). L-THP, an active compound in the choridium, has this advantage. In a small clinical study conducted, 300-600 mg of dl-THP per day improved heart rhythm in patients suffering from a specific cardiac arrhythmia. These arrhythmias make people feel like their hearts are fluttering or fluttering. In his studies on animals, he worked on L-THP and these are as follows:

Low blood pressure

• Regulates heart rate and rhythm
• Minimizes heart tissue damage after a heart attack
• Decreases inflammation markers (TNF-alpha, myeloperoxidase)

In addition, in cells, corydalis alkaloids prevent excessive blood coagulation (platelet aggregation), causing paralysis and heart disease.

Lack of evidence: Traditional Chinese Medicine herbalists claim that corydalis root can help with some diseases. These diseases are as follows:

• Limb tremors / Parkinson’s disease
• Mood disorders
• Mild depression
• Parasitic infections
• Arthritis
• Minor illness and hepatitis
• Persistent cough

Side Effects and Precautions

There is no general safety information about the goose beak plant. In limited clinical studies, the herb was well tolerated with minimal side effects. However, if a person plans to use corydalis, there are precautions to take. These measures are as follows:

Pregnancy: Due to the lack of safety information and testing, corydalis is not recommended for use by pregnant or breastfeeding women. TCM doctors recommend avoiding its use during pregnancy because it causes uterine contractions that can lead to miscarriage.

Risk of poisoning: Corydalis is toxic in large amounts due to the effects of L-tetrahydropalmatine (L-THP). At least a dozen cases of L-THP toxicity have been recorded, 3 of which were in children. Taking large doses of L-THP causes reactions and these are:

• Low blood pressure
• Shallow breathing
• Lethargy
• Muscle Weakness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Liver damage and failure

It is important to remember that their coridal roots contain only a small fraction of pure L-THP. Therefore, the risk of poisoning is minimal when taking whole plant extracts as purified L-THP.