What are the effects and benefits of vinegar-processed Corydalis (Yanhusuo), and what diseases is it primarily used to treat?

Vinegar-processed Yanhusuo is a traditional Chinese medicine whose main effects include promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, aiding digestion, calming the mind and relieving restlessness, regulating menstruation and relieving pain. Based on these effects, it is primarily used to treat conditions such as chest obstruction with heart pain, indigestion, palpitations and insomnia, menstrual disorders, and arrhythmia. If in doubt, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional in advance. Detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Promoting Blood Circulation and Removing Blood Stasis

Vinegar-processed Yanhusuo promotes blood circulation and eliminates internal blood stasis. It is mainly used to treat various types of pain caused by stagnation of qi and blood, such as chest pain due to obstruction, stomachache, dysmenorrhea, and postpartum abdominal pain due to blood stasis.

2. Aiding Digestion

Vinegar-processed Yanhusuo promotes gastric juice secretion and enhances gastrointestinal motility, thereby improving food digestion and absorption, and relieving symptoms such as indigestion and bloating.

3. Calming the Mind and Relieving Restlessness

Vinegar-processed Yanhusuo regulates the nervous system, reduces mental stress, improves sleep quality, and stabilizes mood. It can be used to treat symptoms such as palpitations, insomnia, and emotional irritability.

4. Regulating Menstruation and Relieving Pain

By promoting blood circulation and resolving blood stasis, vinegar-processed Yanhusuo improves blood flow and relieves spasms of uterine smooth muscle, thus alleviating discomfort associated with dysmenorrhea. To some extent, it helps relieve menstrual irregularities and dysmenorrhea caused by poor circulation of qi and blood.

5. Enhancing Cardiac Function

Vinegar-processed Yanhusuo can also regulate heart rate, enhance myocardial contractility, and dilate coronary arteries to accelerate blood circulation, thereby improving cardiac function. Appropriate use may help prevent cardiac conditions such as arrhythmia, myocardial ischemia, and coronary heart disease.

This herb should only be taken under medical supervision. Patients should not self-medicate to avoid adverse reactions. Additionally, pregnant women are advised against taking vinegar-processed Yanhusuo to prevent potential harm to fetal health.