Corydalis: Uses, Side Effects, and More

Corydalis is an herbal supplement that some claim can help with pain and relaxation (sedation). Its scientific name is Corydalis yanhusuo. The corydalis plant has five to 15 purple-blue-hued flowers clustered together that curve outward. It’s in the Papaveraceae family (commonly known as poppies).

Corydalis yanhusuo grows in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s most often found in the high-altitude grasslands in China's province of Zhejiang.

Corydalis is often used in combination with other herbal supplements.

This article covers the uses, risks, and side effects of corydalis supplements.

What the Research Says

Scientists have studied using corydalis for different health reasons. Often, it's paired with other herbal supplements that claim to have health benefits. However, no research has proven that it is safe or effective in humans when used alone or combined with other supplements.

So while corydalis has been studied in the lab and in animals, there is not enough evidence to support its use for any health conditions in people.

Like all supplements, corydalis should only be used if you've been given the okay by your healthcare provider. No supplement is intended to treat, cure, or prevent disease.

Central Nervous System Benefits

One of the claims associated with corydalis is that it might help with pain and cause feelings of relaxation (sedation).

A review of studies on the uses of corydalis found that tetrahydropalmatine (THP)—an alkaloid in the corydalis plant—has been shown to block receptor sites for dopamine in the brain, which can cause sedation.

Animal research studies have looked at the pain-relieving (analgesic) and sedative effects of Corydalis yanhusuo. For example, in rat studies, Corydalis yanhusuo decreased chronic and persistent pain and depression.

There has been some research on using corydalis for pain in humans and its effectiveness has been demonstrated. Results suggest that Corydalis yanhusuo may serve as a candidate for alternative management of pain.

Other Possible Uses of Corydalis

Other animal and lab studies have also explored corydalis:

• One study found that corydalis may have helped decrease sores in the stomach lining (peptic ulcers) in animals. It may have also protected liver function in animal models, which the researchers thought could be because of the alkaloid/THP content of the plant.
• THP might relax blood vessels and tissues in mice, which could reduce blood pressure and heart rate. In animals, it could offer protection against coronary heart disease, abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias), and heart attacks.
• Studies on gynecological malignancies show that THP may decrease tumor cell activity (less tumor growth).
• Lab studies showed that the chloroform extract in Corydalis yanhusuo might have antibacterial and antifungal effects.
  

Animal and lab studies do not necessarily predict what would happen in humans. Therefore, these studies do not provide enough evidence to support humans using corydalis for these reasons. 

What Are the Side Effects of Corydalis?

When taken by mouth (oral) corydalis is generally well tolerated and safe. Some research has suggested that corydalis extracts can be safe to take for up to four weeks.

Consuming corydalis can have side effects and risks. One of the major risks is THP toxicity from corydalis supplements. 

THP can cause an infection and inflammation in the liver (acute hepatitis); the symptoms are nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or fever.

Precautions Before Using Corydalis

Talk to your healthcare provider before you start taking corydalis, especially if you are already taking other prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications, supplements, or products.

There has not been enough research on the safety and effectiveness of corydalis use in certain groups of people who might be at risk for side effects. Children should not take corydalis. Adults should not use corydalis if they are:

• Pregnant
• Breastfeeding
• Consult with doctor if bleeding between menstrual periods
  

Dosage: How Much Corydalis Should I Take?

There are different ways to take corydalis, including as a powder, root, liquid, or capsule. However, there are no guidelines about how much Corydalis yanhusuo to take. There is no standard dose of corydalis.

More research is needed on dosages of corydalis for specific populations and health needs.

Talk to your healthcare provider if you are thinking about taking corydalis. Make sure they know about any medical conditions you have, as well as all the medications, supplements, or OTC products you’re using.

Interactions

While Corydalis yanhusuo is often used with other herbal supplements, it's unclear whether this supplement is safe to use with over-the-counter medication or prescriptions.  

Always read a supplement's ingredient list and nutrition facts panel carefully before you use it. Make sure that you know what is in the supplement and how much of each ingredient there is in a dose.

Go over this information with your provider and make sure they know about any other medications, supplements, vitamins, or products you're using or plan to use along with corydalis. 

Corydalis Sources & What to Look For

In addition to taking corydalis supplements, some foods you eat may contain corydalis.

Food Sources of Corydalis

To get corydalis from a food source, the Corydalis yanhosuo plant stem (rhizoma) needs to be soaked in vinegar to increase the active components. Then, it can be cooked for six minutes and cooled before eating.

Corydalis Supplements

Corydalis yanhusuo is sold as a tablet, granules, powder, and tablets. Tablets are the most common way to take the supplement.

You can find corydalis supplements at drugstores and specialty health stores.

When buying a supplement, know that any claims that it can "cure" or treat any specific disease are not real. Under the FDA labeling laws, it is illegal for companies to make these claims about their products because they are not supported by research.

Summary

Corydalis is a species of flowering herbal plant found in the Northern Hemisphere. Although it has been looked at in a lab and in animal studies, there have not been enough studies in humans to say that it is beneficial and safe to use.

Corydalis supplements are said to have pain-relieving and relaxing effects, but there have not been enough studies to prove that it works for these purposes. In addition, there is also not enough research on corydalis dosing, side effects, and medication interactions. 

Talk to your healthcare provider first if you want to try the supplement. Tell them about any OTC or prescription medications, vitamins, or supplements you already take and any health conditions you have.