Roots and rhizomesBlood-activatingRhizoma Corydalis

Yan Hu Suo (Corydalis Rhizome)

延胡索 · Yan Hu Suo

Blood-activating herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Traditional functions: Invigorates blood, disperses stasis, moves qi, stops pain.

In-Depth Guide

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Quick Facts

Latin NameRhizoma Corydalis
Chinese Name & Pinyin延胡索 · Yan Hu Suo
Medicinal PartRoots and rhizomes
Efficacy CategoryBlood-activating
Botanical OriginThe dried tuberous rhizome of Corydalis yanhusuo W. T.Wang. (Papaceraceae)
Nature & FlavourAcrid, Bitter; Warm
Channels EnteredHeart, Liver, Spleen

What Is Yan Hu Suo?

Yan Hu Suo (Corydalis Rhizome) is a medicinal herb of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Primarily produced in the Chinese province of Zhejiang.

Nature & Flavour: Acrid, Bitter; Warm
Channels Entered: Heart, Liver, Spleen

Yan Hu Suo: Materia Medica Profile

Identification & Quality Standard

Rhizoma Corydalis

Botanical Origin

The dried tuberous rhizome of Corydalis yanhusuo W. T.Wang. (Papaceraceae)

Production Regions

Primarily produced in the Chinese province of Zhejiang.

Quality Requirements

Superior medicinal material is large, full, firm, yellow, and shiny yellow inside.

Macroscopic Features

Irregular flat spherical shape, 1~2cm diameter, externally yellow or brownish-yellow, apex center has slightly indented stem scar, base has knotted protrusions. Hard and brittle texture, yellow fractured surface horn-like, with wax-like luster. faint odor, bitter taste.

Traditional TCM Properties

Acrid, Bitter; WarmHeartLiverSpleen

Traditional Functions

Invigorates blood, disperses stasis, moves qi, stops pain. Apply to chest impediment and heart pain, flank and abdomen pain, headache, waist pain, hernis pain, sinew and bone pain, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, postpartum blood stasis and abdominal pain, injury from falls.

How Yan Hu Suo Is Used in TCM

In the Chinese materia medica, Yan Hu Suo is classified among the Blood-activating herbs. It appears in 4 classical formulas in our library.

Formulas containing Yan Hu Suo are traditionally used for:

Abdominal PainHypochondriac DistensionDysmenorrheaIrregular MenstruationCold LimbsPMS (Premenstrual Syndrome)BloatingEmotional Depression

Classical Formulas Containing Yan Hu Suo

Herbs Commonly Combined with Yan Hu Suo

Chuan Lian ZiXiao Hui XiangGan JiangDang GuiChuan XiongMo YaoPu HuangWu Ling ZhiChi ShaoRou GuiBai ShaoShu Di Huang

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Yan Hu Suo? Are Yuan Hu, Cu Yan Hu Suo and Chuan Xiong the same?
Official Yan Hu Suo (延胡索) is the dried tuber of Corydalis yanhusuo, also called Yuan Hu. The pharmacopoeial name is Corydalis Rhizoma. Cu Yan Hu Suo is vinegar-fried or vinegar-boiled to strengthen invigorating Blood and stopping pain—the form most prescriptions expect. Chuan Xiong is acrid-warm: invigorates Blood, moves qi and dispels wind to stop pain—the qi herb within Blood, leaning toward headache and regulating menses, not Corydalis. Classics say it moves qi stagnation within Blood and Blood stasis within qi, and is specific for pain. Write Yan Hu Suo, Yuan Hu or Cu Yan Hu Suo; crush or slice before use.
What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of Yan Hu Suo?
According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Yan Hu Suo is acrid, bitter and warm, enters the Liver and Spleen channels (also often the Heart), and acts to invigorate Blood, move qi and stop pain. It is used for chest-flank and epigastric-abdominal pain, chest impediment Heart pain, amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea, postpartum static obstruction and traumatic swelling pain. Acrid-bitter and warm-unblocking, it regulates both qi and Blood—suited to pain from qi stagnation and Blood stasis, not to reckless Blood heat, qi-Blood vacuity without stasis, or pregnancy.
How do you choose raw versus vinegar-processed? How do powder and decoction differ?
Stopping pain usually prefers Cu Yan Hu Suo. Decoction is 3–10 g, crushed; swallowed powder is only 1.5–3 g each time and more concentrated. Do not raise the powder dose on your own. Dongyang and Pan’an, Zhejiang lots are preferred.
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Learn More About Yan Hu Suo

Explore our in-depth article covering the traditional uses, properties, functions, and TCM context of Yan Hu Suo.

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Medical Disclaimer — This article is provided for educational purposes only and describes traditional Chinese medicine concepts. It is not medical advice, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using any herb, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a diagnosed condition.

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