Corydalis Rhizoma (Flattened sphere, yellowish-brown, reticulate wrinkled stem scars, hard and brittle)

Corydalis Rhizoma slices (Yellow, corneous, waxy luster)

Vinegar-processed Corydalis Rhizoma slices

【Naming】

Corydalis Rhizoma

 【Source】

Song Kaibao

 【Common Usage Level】

B

 【Botanical Origin】

Rhizome of Corydalis bulbosa DC. of the Papaveraceae family.

 【Characteristics】

The dried rhizome is irregularly flattened spherical, 0.5~2㎝ in diameter, with a yellow or brownish-yellow surface, irregular reticulate fine wrinkles, a slightly concave stem scar in the middle of the top, and a nodular raised hilum at the bottom, surrounded by several small protrusions. The appearance is extremely wrinkled, the texture is hard and brittle, and the taste is very bitter.
Prepared slices: Thin transverse slices, or crushed into irregular granular small pieces. The slices are round or oval, golden yellow, corneous, with a waxy luster, with multiple cracks in the center, and notched edges on the periphery. Granular small pieces vary in size, with a yellow or brownish-yellow surface, mostly with fine wrinkles. The texture is firm and the taste is bitter. After vinegar processing, the color is darker yellow, occasionally with charred spots, and a slight sour smell.

 【Processing】

1. Raw Corydalis Rhizoma 2. Vinegar-fried 3. Vinegar-boiled 4. Wine-fried Corydalis Rhizoma

 【Identification】

《Bencao Pinhui Jingyao》: “(Hai Yao said) It is produced in Xi country and comes from Andong Road (authentic origin), Zhenjiang is the best.”《Ren Shu Bian Lan》: “Xuan Hu produced in the South with tight and small ones are the best.” 《Bencao Bei Yao》: “The root is like Pinellia, the flesh is yellow, small, and firm is good.” 《Liang Lie Jian Bie》: “Round and large granules with a yellow color are the best.”
The best is large, waxy yellow in color, the skin has fine wrinkles, the texture is full and firm, the cross-section is golden yellow, corneous, and has a waxy luster. Smaller, incomplete, dark in cross-section, with a white center, or with excessive surface wrinkles are second-rate.

 【Category】

Rhizomes