Corydalis

Corydalis yanhusuo

Corydalis is native to Europe and eastern Asia, specifically east and northeastern China.^2,9 Different species of this herb have been used in traditional Chinese and traditional European herbalism, as well as modern herbalism.²

The North American native species of this genus can be found in the Eastern region of the United States.⁷ It was commonly used in Eclectic herbalism in the early 1900s, although no record of the native species was found in current Traditional Western Herbalism.⁷ However, the Navajo, Ojibwa, Keres and Iroquois Native American tribes use the native species for fertilizer, fodder, veterinary use and in herbalism.⁵

The plant prefers well-drained and moist sandy-to-loamy soil with any pH and no shade to part-shade.⁴ It can be found on shaded edges or forest gardens with dappled shade.⁴

When cultivating, sow Corydalis seed on the soil surface when ripe. Keep it moist, as it loses viability when dried out.⁴ Germination should occur in 1 to 3 months with a single leaf produced in the first year of growth.⁴

After the above-ground parts have died back, the root is harvested in late spring or early summer, generally May through July.^4,9

The tuber has been used for over 1,000 years in traditional Chinese herbalism and is considered an essential Chinese herb.^4,6 In traditional Chinese herbalism, the herb’s properties are considered  to be acrid, bitter and warm.⁹ Traditional extractions involve processing Corydalis with rice vinegar.⁹

1. McGuffin M, Kartesz J. American Herbal Products Association’s Herbs of Commerce, 2nd ed. Silver Springs, MD: Publication of the American Herbal Products Association; 2000.
2. Van Wyk, B-E, Wink M. Medicinal Plants of the World, 5th ed. Portland, OR & London, England: Timber Press; 2012.
3. Skenderi G. Herbal Vade Mecum. Rutherford, NJ: Herbacy Press; 2003
4. Plants for a Future. 1996-2012. Plants for a Future Database: Corydalis yanhusuo (Plants For A Future, Accessed 12 November 2020). Devon EX7 9LX England.
5. Native American Ethnobotany DB. 2003-2018. Native American Ethnobotany Database: Corydalis. (NAEB, 13 November 2020). Dearborn, MI 48198 USA.
6. Dharmananda S. The Story of Jin Bu Huan. HerbalGram: The Journal of the American Botanical Council and the Herb Research Foundation. Summer 1994; No 31: 28-31, 72-73.
7. Felter HW. The Eclectic Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics. Cincinnati OH: J.K. Scudder; 1922.
8. Flora of China. 2008. FOC: Corydalis yanhusuo. (FOC, 25 November 2020). Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
9. Bensky D, Clavey S, Stöger E, Gamble A. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed. Seattle, WA; Eastland Press: 1993.