Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Corydalis, particularly the species Corydalis yanhusuo, has a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for the alleviation of pain, including muscle cramps and spasms. Historical texts and TCM practitioners have recommended Corydalis preparations for various pain-related conditions, attributing its effects to the herb’s ability to “invigorate the blood” and “move qi,” thereby reducing stagnation that TCM theory associates with pain and cramping. The principal active compound, tetrahydropalmatine (THP), has been studied for its analgesic properties, but most of the research focuses on general pain relief, not specifically on muscle cramps or spasms. Some animal studies suggest antinociceptive and muscle relaxant effects, which could be relevant, but these findings have not been robustly translated into clinical practice or validated in well-controlled human trials for cramps and spasms specifically. Thus, while there is a clear tradition of use for these symptoms, the direct scientific evidence remains limited and preliminary. Overall, the support for Corydalis in treating cramps and spasms is primarily traditional, with a modest but unproven pharmacological basis.

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