What are the effects of vinegar-processed Corydalis?
Sep 12, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Lianqing
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, vinegar-processed Corydalis (Yanhusuo) is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicinal herb. After processing with vinegar, its efficacy is enhanced. Its main functions include promoting blood circulation and regulating qi, relieving pain, improving dysmenorrhea, alleviating epigastric pain, and reducing chest and rib pain. Vinegar-processed Corydalis has a pungent, bitter, and warm nature and enters the liver and spleen meridians. It can promote blood circulation and regulate qi, making it suitable for treating various disorders caused by stagnation of qi and blood.
Generally, as a commonly used traditional Chinese medicinal herb, vinegar-processed Corydalis (Yanhusuo) demonstrates enhanced efficacy after vinegar processing. Its primary actions include promoting blood circulation and regulating qi flow, relieving pain, improving dysmenorrhea, alleviating epigastric pain, and reducing chest and rib pain. Detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Promoting Blood Circulation and Regulating Qi Flow: Vinegar-processed Yanhusuo has acrid, bitter, and warm properties and acts on the liver and spleen meridians. It helps promote blood circulation and regulate qi flow, making it suitable for treating various conditions caused by blood and qi stagnation. It can enhance blood circulation, dissipate blood stasis, and alleviate discomfort caused by impaired flow of qi and blood.
2. Pain Relief: Pain relief is one of the prominent effects of vinegar-processed Yanhusuo, making it applicable for various pain symptoms. It can block the transmission of pain signals and alleviate the sensation of pain, providing certain relief for pain in different areas such as headaches, abdominal pain, and joint pain.
3. Improving Dysmenorrhea: Vinegar-processed Yanhusuo can improve symptoms of dysmenorrhea in women. For dysmenorrhea caused by blood stasis or qi stagnation, it can regulate the flow of blood and qi, alleviate abdominal pain and distension during menstruation, and help women experience a smoother menstrual period.
4. Alleviating Epigastric Pain: Vinegar-processed Yanhusuo can relieve epigastric pain, particularly pain in the upper abdomen caused by qi stagnation and blood stasis. It helps regulate qi movement in the stomach, dissipate blood stasis, and alleviate symptoms such as stomach pain and distension, thus improving gastrointestinal discomfort.
5. Reducing Chest and Rib Pain: Vinegar-processed Yanhusuo can help alleviate chest and rib pain. For distending or stabbing pain caused by liver qi stagnation and blood stasis in the chest and rib areas, it can soothe liver qi, eliminate stagnation, and relieve the associated pain and discomfort.
During use, attention should also be paid to its contraindications and precautions, and medication should strictly follow medical advice to ensure safe and effective usage.
