Identity & origin
BOTANICAL IDENTITY
The right name is the first step.
A tuberous perennial native to southern China.
Also known as: Corydalis yanhusuo
The inventory specifies the tuber with roots removed; this material should not be equated with all Corydalis species. A photograph alone cannot certify a plant for consumption.
An illustration is not enough to identify a plant for consumption. Do not forage for a species based solely on this profile.
Uses & evidence
UNDERSTANDING THE USES
Properties & uses.
Documented inventory entry
ANSM List A records: tuber with roots removed. It inventories traditional use without specifying an indication, dose or clinical benefit here.
The references do not establish a benefit. Lack of evidence is not assurance of safety.
Read the sourceResearch context
Isolated dehydrocorybulbine, DHCB. Pain responses decreased in several mouse models. These experiments establish neither efficacy nor safety in humans.
Laboratory or animal observation. A human benefit cannot be inferred from this finding alone.
Read the sourceThe traditional uses described are not clinical proof of effectiveness. Evidence for one preparation cannot automatically be applied to another.
Precautions before use
BEFORE ANY USE
Precautions & contraindications.
This guidance does not cover every individual situation. Missing information is not a guarantee of safety.
Contraindications & precautions
- Insufficient dataThis targeted audit does not provide a comprehensive contraindication review; this does not mean contraindications are absent.
Medicine interactions
- Insufficient dataThis dossier cannot establish compatibility with medication. A limited study does not replace an interaction review of the exact product.
Other retained warnings · review incomplete
These existing warnings remain relevant to consult. Their exhaustive reassessment is outside this targeted review.
Restrictions and precautions
- Avoid if allergic to this plant. The sources for this profile do not provide a complete contraindication assessment.
Medicine interactions
- Interactions are not assessed in this profile: have any combination with medication checked.
Pregnancy, breastfeeding and children
Safety information is insufficient to recommend medicinal use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
This profile establishes no paediatric preparation or dose.
“Reported” does not prove causality; “possible” may reflect indirect evidence. “None reported” means none in the cited source, not that all combinations have been studied. Do not stop a prescribed treatment based on this profile.
Adverse effects
- The selected sources do not establish the frequency of adverse effects.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
Safety information is insufficient to recommend medicinal use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Children & adolescents
This profile establishes no paediatric preparation or dose.
If symptoms persist, worsen or are unusual, consult a healthcare professional. In an emergency, contact the emergency services.
Available evidence
EXPLORE THE EVIDENCE
The available evidence.
The work isolates an alkaloid; it does not evaluate tuber tea.
Constituents to know.
Their presence and quantity depend on the plant part and preparation.
- Dehydrocorybulbine
- Constituent studied in this publication’s preparation.Read the reference
What was measured
Dehydrocorybulbine affects dopamine D2 signalling in the studied models.
Laboratory or animal observation. A human benefit cannot be inferred from this finding alone.
Read the referenceLimitations to keep in mind.
This finding concerns the study preparation; it provides no home-use instructions.
Studies, findings & limitations
THE RESEARCH
What the research shows.
A laboratory or animal result alone does not demonstrate a benefit in humans. Each result must be read alongside the preparation studied and its limitations.
Zhang et al. — A novel analgesic isolated from a Traditional Chinese Medicine (2014)
Laboratory or animal observation. A human benefit cannot be inferred from this finding alone.
- Type of research
- Pharmacological tests and mouse models.
- Preparation concerned
- Isolated dehydrocorybulbine, DHCB.
- Observed results
- Pain responses decreased in several mouse models.
- Limitations to consider
- These experiments establish neither efficacy nor safety in humans.
What can we take from this?
These experiments establish neither efficacy nor safety in humans.
Documentary review dated 09/10/2026. The references remain available to check the context.
Sources & last review
CHECKING REFERENCES
Sources for this profile.
- ANSM — Liste A, janvier 2026, page 13Accessed on 09/10/2026
- Kew POWO / MPNS — Corydalis yanhusuoAccessed on 09/10/2026
- Zhang et al. (2014). A novel analgesic isolated from a Traditional Chinese Medicine.Accessed on 09/10/2026
Image: MNHN · CC BY 4.0. View the original image and its licence. Image resized and converted to WebP.
