Corydalis has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine as a blood mover, sedative and painkiller since the eighth century A.D. in China.  Today, it is still used alleviate abdominal and menstrual cramps and as an herbal sleep aid to relieve insomnia.  

Corydalis is a bitter, slightly acrid and warm herb that has been used effectively as a sedative and tranquilizer.   It has been employed to help treat anxiety, restless leg syndrome and has been included in herbal preparations for Parkinson's disease.

As a sedative, Corydalis is said to induce sleep without adverse side effects, which is of great help to those who suffer from insomnia.  It gives an improved ability to fall asleep, with no drug hangover symptoms, such as morning grogginess, dizziness or vertigo. Corydalis is also thought to increase the sleep-inducing effect of barbiturates. The herb is said to be particularly useful for counteracting the effects of caffeine.

Corydalis is also considered an herbal analgesic and antispasmodic that diminishes pain. via acting on the central nervous system.  As a painkiller, Corydalis is believed to be especially helpful in cases of dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) and abdominal pain after childbirth. It is also said to relieve abdominal cramping and spasms (confirming the herb's historic applications in Traditional Chinese Medicine). Its painkilling effects also have helped to relieve headache and lumbago, as well as the pain of traumatic injury. Corydalis may be recommended for soft tissue injuries (rotator cuff, etc.); however, there is the potential for the herb to become habit forming.

It is considered a fine blood tonic that can help to stimulate and move stagnant blood (blood stasis) and improve blood circulation to all areas of the body.  In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Corydalis has been used for centuries to invigorate the blood, moving stagnant blood and facilitating the movement of "Qi" - the vital energy of body fluids, bloods, moving particles, etc., throughout the body.

Corydalis may be useful in treating stomach ulcers. In clinical trials, patients suffering with stomach and intestinal ulcers or chronic inflammation of the stomach lining were given Corydalis extract. Seventy-six percent of the patients reported improved healing, and their symptoms were eased.

There are currently many additional studies being conducted for a variety of applications using Corydalis.  Extracts of corydalis are said to slow the formation of cataracts associated with diabetes (but should be used under direction of physician), and it is also said to have antibacterial properties.  Some recent research suggests action on the thyroid and adrenal cortex.