Corydalis bungeana (Bunge's Corydalis): 4 Major Benefits and Effects for Clearing Heat and Detoxifying, and Its Benefits When Steeped in Water

Corydalis bungeana, also known as di ding, ku di ding, or xiao ji cai, is a commonly used herbal medicine. The whole plant can be used medicinally, and it is very common in Gansu, Jiangsu, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Shandong, Heilongjiang and other parts of China. So what are the benefits and effects of Corydalis bungeana? What are its benefits when steeped in water?

I. Introduction to Corydalis bungeana

1. Overview of Corydalis bungeana

Corydalis bungeana, also known as di ding, ku di ding, or xiao ji cai, is generally called ku di ding in traditional Chinese medicine. The whole plant can be washed, sun-dried, and cut into pieces, then used medicinally as a decoction or pounded into juice; it can also be pounded and applied topically to the affected area.

2. Morphological characteristics of Corydalis bungeana

Corydalis bungeana is a perennial herb. Its leaves are ovate pinnately compound, 1.5-3.5 cm long. The flowers are borne in racemes 1-6.5 cm long; the calyx is triangular, and the petals are purple, four in number, arranged in two whorls, inner and outer. There are six stamens, and the ovary is superior. The fruit is an elliptical capsule about 1.6 cm long. It flowers in April and fruits in May and June. The seeds are flat and round, black, and bitter in taste.

3. Distribution of Corydalis bungeana

Corydalis bungeana is distributed in ravines, hilly areas, or open woodlands in Gansu, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Shandong, Hebei, Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang, Sichuan and other provinces of China.

II. Benefits and Effects of Corydalis bungeana

The whole plant of Corydalis bungeana is used medicinally. It is bitter in taste, cold in nature, and slightly toxic. It enters the Spleen and Heart meridians. The medicinal material is mainly produced in Liaoning, Guizhou, and Hunan. According to experts, Corydalis bungeana has four major benefits.

1. Corydalis bungeana reduces swelling and detoxifies: Corydalis bungeana can clear heat, detoxify, and reduce abscess swelling. It has certain benefits for relieving high fever and restlessness, and has a good effect on influenza, upper respiratory tract infections, tonsillitis, and mumps.

2. Corydalis bungeana is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory: Modern pharmacology shows that Corydalis bungeana can treat enteritis, nephritis, hepatitis, acute appendicitis, conjunctivitis, dysentery, and other suppurative infections caused by bacterial infection.

3. Corydalis bungeana reduces swelling and relieves pain: Corydalis bungeana has a swelling-reducing and pain-relieving effect on the swelling and pain caused by various infections, and can treat conditions such as toxic swellings, breast abscesses, malignant sores, and boils.

4. Corydalis bungeana treats venomous snake bites: Use fresh Corydalis bungeana, pound it into juice for oral administration, or add a little realgar, pound it into a paste, and apply it externally.

III. Usage and Dosage of Corydalis bungeana

1. Internal use: Decoct in water and take, 0.5-1 liang (2-3 liang if fresh); or pound into juice or grind into powder.

2. External use: Pound and apply, or boil into a paste and stick on.

3. Supplementary formulas:

(1) Corydalis bungeana for boils and toxic swellings: Pound Corydalis bungeana, scallion white, and raw honey into juice and take it.

(2) Corydalis bungeana for acute infectious hepatitis: Take 1 liang of ku di ding and decoct in water.

(3) Corydalis bungeana for enteritis or dysentery: Take 1 liang each of ku di ding and red rattan, 2 liang of mayi cao, and 3 qian of Scutellaria baicalensis. Decoct and take.

(4) Corydalis bungeana for suppurative infections: (1) Take half a liang each of ku di ding, dandelion, and Lobelia chinensis, decoct in water and take; apply the dregs externally. (2) Take 2 liang each of fresh Corydalis bungeana and fresh wild chrysanthemum, pound into juice and take in two divided doses; apply the dregs externally. (3) Take equal amounts of fresh Corydalis bungeana and fresh hibiscus flowers, add a little table salt, pound into a paste and apply to the affected area; at the same time, take 2-3 liang of Corydalis bungeana, decoct in water and take.

IV. Dietary Contraindications for Corydalis bungeana

People with a cold-deficiency constitution should not take it.

V. What Are the Benefits of Steeping Corydalis bungeana in Water?

For steeping in water, sun-dried Corydalis bungeana is generally used, and it can help clear heat and detoxify. When steeping it in water, a small amount of rock sugar may be added to remove the bitter taste, but doctors recommend that Corydalis bungeana is still better taken as a water decoction for stronger medicinal effect.

Conclusion: This article has provided a detailed introduction to the benefits and effects of Corydalis bungeana. In medicinal use, the utilization rate of Corydalis bungeana is still quite high. It can be taken not only internally but also applied externally. However, Corydalis bungeana is slightly toxic and is not suitable for long-term use. The editor suggests that everyone use it under the guidance of a doctor.