Yan Hu Suo San — Corydalis Powder

On this page

1. Overview
2. TCM pattern
3. Key herbs
4. Formula actions
5. Conditions treated
6. Cautions

Overview

Yan Hu Suo San — Corydalis Powder — is built around Yan Hu Suo (Corydalis yanhusuo), one of the most powerful pain-relieving herbs in the Chinese materia medica. Modern research has identified tetrahydropalmatine (THP) and other alkaloids in Yan Hu Suo with significant analgesic, sedative and anti-inflammatory effects, including some action on dopamine D2 receptors and on calcium channels.

The formula combines Yan Hu Suo with Qi-moving herbs (Xiang Fu, Wu Yao) and Blood-moving herbs (Dang Gui, Chuan Xiong) to address the combined Qi-and-Blood-stagnation pain that is the most common pattern of pain in clinical practice.

I prescribe Yan Hu Suo San as part of bespoke herbal formulas from pharmaceutical-grade granules sourced from Sun Ten in Taiwan.

TCM pattern

Yan Hu Suo San is prescribed for Qi and Blood stagnation pain:

• Pain that is fixed or migrating
• Stabbing, throbbing or pressing quality
• Worse with stress or emotional upset
• Tongue — normal to slightly purplish
• Pulse — wiry, possibly choppy

Key herbs

1. Yan Hu Suo (Corydalis yanhusuo) — chief; powerful analgesic; moves Qi and Blood
2. Xiang Fu — regulates Liver Qi
3. Wu Yao — warms and moves Qi
4. Dang Gui — nourishes and moves Blood
5. Chuan Xiong — moves Blood

Formula actions

1. Moves Qi and Blood
2. Relieves pain
3. Regulates the Liver

Conditions treated

1. Severe period pain — see period pain
2. Endometriosis pain
3. Functional abdominal pain
4. Hypochondriac pain
5. Tension headaches and stress-driven migraine
6. Back and neck pain with Qi-Blood stagnation pattern
7. Post-traumatic pain in the recovery phase
8. Pelvic pain from stagnation
9. Trigeminal neuralgia — see trigeminal neuralgia

Cautions

Strictly contraindicated in pregnancy — the Blood-moving herbs can cause miscarriage.

Yan Hu Suo can interact with sedatives, opioids and some psychiatric medications — always disclose.

Severe or new-onset pain needs medical assessment to identify the cause.

Always consult a qualified Chinese herbalist registered with the RCHM.

Prefer to be treated from home? Chinese herbal medicine online consultations are available throughout the UK and worldwide.