Natural Herb Library

All-Grass of Bunge Corydalis

Chinese
苦地丁
Pinyin
Ku Di Ding
Latin
Herba Corydalis Bungeanae
Botanical illustration of All-Grass of Bunge Corydalis, Corydalis bungeana, showing habit, leaves, flowers, fruit, seed, root, and diagnostic plant details.
Botanical plate by Kodi . View print →

Known in TCM as Ku Di Ding (苦地丁), this bitter, cold herb enters the Heart, Large Intestine, and Liver. Traditionally, it clears Heat and relieves toxicity, most often applied for upper respiratory infection, tonsillitis, and furunculosis. Modern research has identified Corynoline among its active constituents.

Part used: Whole herb

Also Known As

Corydalis

Latin: Herba Corydalis Bungeanae | Pinyin: Ku Di Ding | Chinese: 苦地丁

TCM Properties

Taste
bitter
Temperature
cold
Channels
Heart, Large Intestine, Liver

Traditional Use

Primary Actions

  • Clears Heat and relieves toxicity … used for influenza, upper respiratory infection, tonsillitis, parotitis (mumps), infective hepatitis, enteritis, and dysentery
  • Disperses carbuncles and resolves swellings … used for furuncles, boils, scrofula, and toxic skin eruptions from Heat toxicity

Secondary Actions

  • Anti-infective action against conjunctivitis, nephritis, acute appendicitis, and anthrax as modern clinical extensions of its Heat-clearing toxicity-resolving properties
  • Dries Dampness and promotes diuresis … used for damp-heat patterns presenting with urinary difficulty

Modern Research

Active Compounds

  • Corynoline … primary alkaloid; anti-inflammatory via inhibition of LPS-induced IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, and NO in macrophages
  • 12-Hydroxycorynoline … secondary isoquinoline alkaloid; anti-inflammatory, particularly suppresses IL-6 and TNF-α overproduction
  • Acetylcorynoline … isoquinoline alkaloid with sedative, antileptospiral, and hepatoprotective activity
  • Protopine … widely distributed isoquinoline alkaloid; anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial
  • Bungeanine … novel alkaloid unique to C. bungeana; structure confirmed as N-nor-5,14-dehydroacetylcorynoline (PMID 17269058)

Studied Effects

  • Anti-inflammatory … corynoline and 12-hydroxycorynoline inhibit LPS-induced inflammatory mediators in macrophages; in vivo: 32–45% reduction in xylene ear edema, ~29–30% reduction in carrageenan paw swelling (PMID 26471417)
  • Antibacterial … alkaloid extract inhibits Staphylococcus aureus, dysentery bacillus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Streptococcus in vitro
  • Phytochemistry … 16 alkaloids isolated including 11 first-time identifications in this species and novel bungeanine (PMID 17269058)

PubMed References

Safety & Interactions

Contraindications

  • Spleen-Stomach deficiency-cold … cold, bitter nature may aggravate cold-damp digestive weakness
  • Pregnancy … alkaloid-containing herb; traditional caution; avoid use

Cautions

  • Alkaloids accumulate in the liver … avoid prolonged daily use without practitioner supervision; monitor liver function with extended courses
  • Caution in children and nursing mothers … alkaloid safety in pediatric and lactation contexts not established
  • MSK page not found … drug interaction data not available from Memorial Sloan Kettering integrative medicine database

Conditions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is All-Grass of Bunge Corydalis used for?

All-Grass of Bunge Corydalis is traditionally used to Clears Heat and relieves toxicity … used for influenza, upper respiratory infection, tonsillitis, parotitis (mumps), infective hepatitis, enteritis, and dysentery, Disperses carbuncles and resolves swellings … used for furuncles, boils, scrofula, and toxic skin eruptions from Heat toxicity. Research has investigated its effects on: Anti-inflammatory … corynoline and 12-hydroxycorynoline inhibit LPS-induced inflammatory mediators in macrophages; in vivo: 32–45% reduction in xylene ear edema, ~29–30% reduction in carrageenan paw swelling (PMID 26471417); Antibacterial … alkaloid extract inhibits Staphylococcus aureus, dysentery bacillus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Streptococcus in vitro.

What are other names for All-Grass of Bunge Corydalis?

All-Grass of Bunge Corydalis is also known as Corydalis. In TCM: 苦地丁 (Ku Di Ding); Herba Corydalis Bungeanae.

Is All-Grass of Bunge Corydalis safe during pregnancy?

All-Grass of Bunge Corydalis is not recommended during pregnancy.

What are the contraindications for All-Grass of Bunge Corydalis?

All-Grass of Bunge Corydalis should not be used in: Spleen-Stomach deficiency-cold … cold, bitter nature may aggravate cold-damp digestive weakness; Pregnancy … alkaloid-containing herb; traditional caution; avoid use. Consult a qualified practitioner before use.