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Corydalis yanhusuo - (Y.H.Chou&Chun.C.Hsu.)W.T.Wang.

Common Name Yan Hu Suo
Family Papaveraceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, there is a report that Corydalis species are potentially toxic in moderate doses[222].
Habitats Not known
Range E. Asia - China.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Corydalis yanhusuo Yan Hu Suo


Corydalis yanhusuo Yan Hu Suo

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 
Corydalis yanhusuo is a PERENNIAL. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Analgesic  Antiseptic  Antispasmodic  Antitussive  Cancer  Cardiotonic  Hypotensive  Sedative


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[254]. It is used especially to relieve menstrual cramps, chest and abdominal pains[254]. The plant contains powerful alkaloids that are responsible for this effect[254]. The root is analgesic, antiseptic, antispasmodic and sedative[176, 218]. It has traditionally been used to lower pain and strengthen the circulation[218]. It is used in the treatment of a wide range of ailments including lumbago, dysmenorrhoea, hernia, chest pains, insomnia and traumatic injuries[176, 218]. The root is harvested in late spring or early summer, once the top growth has died down, and is dried for later use[254]. Various extracts from the plant have shown antitussive, cardiotonic, hypotensive and anticancer activity[218].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Prefers a moist, well-drained rather light soil, thriving in semi-shade[1]. Grows well in a woodland garden or peat bed. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe, the seed rapidly loses viability if it is allowed to become dry[129]. Surface sow and keep moist, it usually germinates in 1 - 3 months at 15°c[164]. Germinates in spring according to another report[129]. Two months warm, then a cold stratification improves the germination of stored seed[134, 164]. Sow the seed thinly so that the seedlings can be allowed to grow undisturbed in the pot for their first year. Apply liquid feed at intervals during their growing season to ensure they are well fed. The seedlings only produce one leaf in their first year of growth[175] and are very prone to damping off[129]. Divide the seedlings into individual pots once they have become dormant and grow them on in a partially shaded area of a greenhouse for at least another year. Plant them out into their permanent positions when they are dormant. Division after flowering.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Corydalis ambigua Perennial0.2 5-9  LMSM13 
Corydalis aureaScrambled EggsAnnual/Biennial0.5 5-9  LMSM02 
Corydalis cava Perennial0.2 5-9  LMSM03 
Corydalis edulis Perennial0.0 -  LMSM10 
Corydalis falconeri Perennial0.0 -  LMSM001
Corydalis govaniana Perennial0.0 -  LMSNM02 
Corydalis incisaIncised fumewortAnnual/Biennial0.3 6-10  LMSM110
Corydalis intermedia Perennial0.2 -  LMSM01 
Corydalis juncea Perennial0.0 -  LMSNM10 
Corydalis ochotensis Biennial1.0 -  LMSNM10 
Corydalis pallida Biennial0.3 -  LMSNM10 
Corydalis solidaFumewort, Spring fumewortPerennial0.2 5-9  LMSM13 
Corydalis ternataThree-Leaf CorydalisPerennial0.2 -  LMSNM02 
Corydalis vaginans Annual/Biennial0.0 4-8  LMSNM01 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

(Y.H.Chou&Chun.C.Hsu.)W.T.Wang.

Botanical References

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Ric Quinn   Sun Apr 12 2009

Can you give me an address of someone who sells corydalis Yanhusuo seeds for growing. Thank you Regards..Ric Quinn

Pauli Virtanen   Sun Nov 1 2009

Influence on hepatitis B or on the or other viral diseases. the effect of boosters provoked by using electron transfer when alkaloids are isolated from origin material. Comparison of alkloids from Enantia clortantha to Corydalis alkaloids, which seems to be very similar. Indeed the applications of Prof. Marcus findings to alkaloid Chemistry et.cetera. pharmaceutical phytopchemistry. Pl. see my abstract in IDDST Shanghai congress abstract book page 134, year 2009.

recent online article Background Current pain management is limited, in particular, with regard to chronic pain. In an attempt to discover novel analgesics, we combined the approach developed to characterize traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), as part of the “herbalome” project, with the reverse pharmacology approach aimed at discovering new endogenous transmitters and hormones.   Jan 9 2014 12:00AM

Zhang, Yan et al 2014 A Novel Analgesic Isolated from a Traditional Chinese Medicine. Current Biology (online) covers dehydrocorybulbine (DHCB) effective in heat-induced acute pain, inflammatory pain and injury-induced neuropathic pain.
Current Biology

   Mar 23 2016 12:00AM

YanHu Suo is very useful for chronic pain management and it is able to replace opioids for low level analgesic requirements, and as an addition in small dosage to other analgesics for sedation as required during pain management.

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