In traditional Chinese medicine, liver wind refers, in part, to pain but also to uncontrolled movement in the form of seizures, spasms, shaking or jerks as in Parkinson's. Also many times it refers to pain that moves from one part of the body to another such as in Fibromyalgia. For centuries Corydalis Yan Hu Suo has been used to reduce pain and keep grand mal and other types of seizures away. It does this by helping move the blood and controlling liver wind. It has long been known as the TCM way to manage pain especially when other herbs are added to direct Corydalis to the body area where it is most needed.

The drug companies have observed this, and in their usual jealous response, have tried to isolate something from it for synthesis and, of course, for a money grabbing patent drug - whether it is safe or not. Here is what they found:

The influence of dl-tetrahydropalmatine (THP, an active component isolated from corydalis yanhusao root) was tested on the development of electrically kindled amygdala. The seizure activity was quantified by an ultrasonic system for vertical motion measurements. Intraperitoneal injection of THP (20 or 30 mg kg-1) 30 min before applying the daily kindling stimulus prevented the development of the kindling process.

The behavioral seizure score and the motion responses which normally develop during electrical kindling were reduced below their initial values.

The results suggest that THP is a very effective antiepileptogenic and anticonvulsant agent when applied to electrically kindled rats.

The problem (as usual) was that isolated dl-tetrahydropalmatine becomes toxic and can cause hepatitis and other liver disorders. The thought to just concentrate the safe whole root extract with all the other secrets of mother nature locked in would, of course, never occur to them.

The best way to take this herb is in 5:1 Corydalis extract crystals (1 gram crystals = 5 grams raw herb). This easily dissolves in any liquid and is made with a natural water and alcohol process using fresh organic herbs and very low heat.

Corydalis, combined with the classic formula known as Tien Ma Gou Teng, along with the addition of He Shou Wu has been a successful raw medicine formula in TCM against Parkinson's (boiled daily as water medicine). However this winds up costing quite a bit as many of the raw herbs in Tien Ma Gou Teng are quite expensive to obtain. It is also difficult for patients to prepare and tastes quite bad.

So for Parkinson's disease, the current TCM protocol is to take Corydalis 5:1 extract powder (2 grams twice daily) plus the patent herbal formula known as Tien Ma Gou Teng Wan. This should be taken along with lots of He Shou Wu (powder or liquid extract) daily for the rest of one's life.

Remember, it's not just for Parkinson's and seizures. Corydalis has long been known as the TCM way to manage pain especially when other herbs are added to direct Corydalis to the body area where it is most needed.

Sources:

This protocol is based entirely on author's research and knowledge of Traditional Chinese Medicine