Evidence supporting the use of: Corydalis
For the health condition: Tension
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 3
Corydalis, particularly Corydalis yanhusuo, has a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for the management of various types of pain and discomfort, including tension-related symptoms such as muscle tightness and headaches. In TCM, Corydalis is often prescribed to move 'Qi' and blood, and to alleviate pain due to stagnation, which can manifest as physical or emotional tension. The primary active compound, tetrahydropalmatine (THP), is believed to have analgesic and sedative effects, which may explain its traditional use for tension and related conditions.
While some modern pharmacological studies have investigated Corydalis for its pain-relieving and mild sedative properties, clinical evidence specifically targeting "tension" (as opposed to general pain or anxiety) is limited. Most of the validation comes from centuries of traditional use rather than robust, high-quality clinical trials. Preclinical research supports some muscle relaxant and central nervous system effects of Corydalis extracts, but direct evidence in human populations for tension is lacking.
In summary, Corydalis is primarily justified for tension by traditional use, with moderate evidence based on historical practice and some supporting preclinical data, but insufficient clinical trials to warrant a higher rating.