Life is pain. Pain is the most common reason for doctor visits. Chronic neuropathic pain alone affects over 50 million people in the USA. Pain is managed in most cases by the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen when low or moderate pain exists. In cases of severe pain, opioid drugs such as morphine may be used after prescription. While opioid drugs are potent painkillers, they develop drug tolerance and physical dependence among other side effects. These conventional analgesics are less effective for neuropathic pain.

From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), pain is caused by obstruction of Qi flow or blood circulation in the affected area. Qi is a vital energy circulating in the channels around our body. Many Chinese herbs are well known in TCM to move Qi energy and invigorate the Blood and thus relieve pain. Yan Hu Suo (Corydalis Rhizome) is one of such Chinese herbs. Yan Hu Suo Zhi Tong Pian (Corydalis Relaxe™) is a Guang Ci Tang® signature formula that includes Corydalis as the main ingredient and several other Chinese herbs that reinforce the action of Corydalis.

Yan Hu Suo in TCM acts to invigorate the Blood, smooth the Qi flow, and alleviate pain. Pain management is the most conspicuous aspect of its action. Chinese herbalists have found that Yan Hu Suo is applicable to pain in a wide range of conditions and is potent compared to other Chinese herbs. Yan Hu Suo also has a good safety profile in its action. It does not induce tolerance and physical dependence, another big advantage compared to the analgesics on the market.

In addition to Yan Hu Suo, Corydalis Relaxe™ includes 3 other Chinese herbs, Bai Zhi (Dahurian Angelica Root), Xiang Fu (Cyperus Rhizome), and Chuan Xiong (Sichuan Lovage Rhizome) to further enhance the action of Yan Hu Suo. Here, Bai Zhi disperses Wind and alleviates pain in the head region. Xiang Fu promotes Qi movement, relieves Qi stagnation, regulates menstruation, and stops pain. Chuan Xiong is another famous Chinese herb that invigorates the Blood, smoothes Qi flow, and alleviates pain. It also expels Wind.

Corydalis Relaxe™ is our choice of all natural dietary supplements for general pain management, whether it is chronic pain or neuropathic pain. It is especially recommended for pain caused by Qi obstruction or Blood stasis.^†

Does research support Corydalis Relaxe?

Scientists have worked hard to reveal how Yan Hu Suo works in modern biomedical terms. Several analgesic components have been isolated from Corydalis. A latest research that is published in 2014 and widely reported by media including Dr Oz show nicely illustrates such an effort. In the study¹, scientists from China and America are able to identify DHCB (dehydrocorybulbine), a Corydalis component, as an analgesic that is effective against thermally induced acute pain, inflammatory pain, and injury-induced neuropathic pain. Furthermore, it does not cause antinociceptive tolerance. In contrast to morphine, DHCB's antinociceptive effect appears mediated by dopamine D2 receptors but not opioid receptors. It should be noted that besides DHCB, other Corydalis components like I-THP (L-tetrahydropalmatine) are also shown to act the same way to alleviate pain. These results are in consistence with what we have known in TCM about Corydalis for centuries.