Scientific Name: Corydalis ambigua
Constituents:
- Isoquinoline Alkaloids (Protopine & Protoberberine type; corydaline, bulbocapnine, dl-Tetrahydropalmatine, (dl-THP), protopine, leonticine, ambinine, tetrahydrocoptisine, corybulbine, tetrahydrocolumbamine and tetrahydroberberine (THB)).
Medicinal actions:
- Analgesic
- Antispasmodic
- Anti-viral
- Nervine Relaxant/Sedative
Mechanism of Action & Pharmacology:
- Isoquinoline Alkaloids (Protopine & Protoberberine type) have shown to prevent platelet aggregation and also have inhibitory effects on Epstein Barr virus early antigen activation, which may be of value as anti-tumor promoters.
- Tetrahydroberberine (THB) isolated alkaloid extract prevents platelet aggregation both in-vitro and in-vivo.
- Bulbocapnine is believed to work with the dopaminergic neuronal transmitter system (potential inhibitory effect).
- dl-Tetrahydropalmatine (dl-THP) has been shown to possess analgesic activity and also exert sedative-tranquilizing and hypnotic actions. Has also been shown to significantly ameliorate protracted abstinence withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) and the abstinence rate among heroin users.
Pharmacy:
- Tincture
- Decoction
- Dried rhizome
- Capsule
- Best used alongside other nervine relaxants/sedatives
Safety & Toxicity Concerns:
- In high doses may cause trembling, shaking, twitching, or tics.
- Avoid in pregnancy & lactation due to unknown effects.
Interactions:
- May have additive effects with anticoagulant medication.
