The source is from the tuber of the perennial herbage Corydalis Yanhusuo W. T. Wang, family Papaveraceae. The medicinal material is mainly produced in the areas of Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Hunan and Hubei, collected in the beginning of summer, cleaned and then boiled in boiling water, dried in the sun and pounded into pieces when it is used. The crude one or the one prepared with vinegar is used.

Medicinal Properties: Pungent and bitter in flavor, warm in nature and attributive to the heart, liver and spleen meridians.

Actions: Promote the circulation of blood and qi to relieve pain.

 

Application
It is an essential medicine to relieve pain and used for painful syndrome due to stagnation of qi and stasis of the blood, and widely used for pain in all parts of the body. The powder is effective to be taken alone and in order to increase the therapeutic effect, it can also be used in combination according to the painful location and properties. For example, it is combined with Chuanlianzi (Fructus Meliae Toosendan) to treat pains in the epigastric abdomere combined with Xiaohuixiang (Fructus Foenicgli) to treat pain due to hernia; combined with Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis ) , Chuanxiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong), Baishaoyao (Radix Paeoniae Alba), and Xiangfu (Rhizoma Cyperi), etc., to treat abdominal pain during menstruation combined with Gualou (Fructus Trichosanthis) , Xiebai ( Bulbus Allii Macrostemi ), Yujin (Radix Curcumae), and Wuyao ( Radix Linderae ), etc., to treat hypochondriac pain;combined with Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis ) , Guizhi ( Ramulus Cinnamomi), Chishaoyao (Radix Paeoniae Rubra), etc., in the treatment of pain of limbs or general pain due to blood stasis, and trauma.

Usage and Dosage: 3 - 10 g is used in decoction for oral use and 1.5 - 3 g of the powder is taken.

Explanation: After being prepared with vinegar, it can raise solubility of its effective components in decoction so as to strengthen the effect of arresting pain.