The Neuropathy Chronicles

The Journey to Relief: Navigating NeuropathyOverview The peripheral nervous system is divided into three... with Traditional Chinese Medicine

Imagine a night where sleep is replaced by sharp, burning stabs of pain coursing through your feet. This was the reality for Gary, living with the relentless discomfort of peripheral neuropathy. But when conventional treatments fell short, we turned to an ancient practice for relief: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

A Glimpse into the Past: The Role of TCM in Neuropathy Treatment

TCM has been a cornerstone of health and wellness for centuries, with its roots tracing back to the 8th century. One such remedy is a tincture made from the boiled rhizomes of the Corydalis Yanhusuo plant, which has been used to treat pain for hundreds of years. Modern research has identified numerous alkaloids in the rhizomes, including tetrahydropalmatine (THP), which acts as a sedative and analgesic.

The Power of Corydalis

Corydalis, a relative of the poppy family, has a long history of use as an analgesic and antispasmodic, helping to reduce pain. Its active component, THP, acts on the central nervous system to decrease nerve pain. Interestingly, it has been found to be effective in reducing nerve pain in 78% of patients. Moreover, it doesn’t cause dependence problems or tolerance build-up, often associated with traditional painkillers.

Navigating the Market: Choosing the Right Corydalis Product

When it comes to choosing a Corydalis product, the options can be overwhelming. The market is flooded with choices, from dried root forms to tablets and capsules. For Gary, we selected an herbal blend containing Corydalis and three other ingredients in a product called Yan Hu Suo Pian (Corydalis Relaxe). This blend was taken in the form of tablets, with a suggested dose of five tablets three times daily.

The Verdict: Is Corydalis Worth It?

After three months of consistent use, the answer was a resounding YES. While the first month left us questioning the treatment’s efficacy, we noticed a gradual lessening of neuropathy pain by the second month. By the third month, the burning, stabbing, and shooting pain was significantly reduced, providing Gary with much-needed relief.

A Word of Caution

While our experience with Corydalis was positive, it’s important to note that everyone’s body responds differently to treatments. Always consult a certified TCM practitioner or physician before starting any new herbal remedy. Some herbal treatments used in TCM can act as medicines and be very effective but may also have serious side effects. TCM should not be used as a replacement for conventional or allopathic treatment, especially for serious conditions, but it may be beneficial when used as a complementary therapy.

In our journey with neuropathy, we’ve learned that sometimes, relief can come from the most unexpected places. For Gary, that relief came in the form of an ancient remedy, proving that sometimes, the old ways can still hold the answers we seek.

¹ Luo Y, Wang CZ, Sawadogo R, Tan T, Yuan CS. Effects of Herbal Medicines on Pain Management. Am J Chin Med. 2020;48(1):1-16. doi: 10.1142/S0192415X20500019. PMID: 32054304.

Huang JY, Fang M, Li YJ, Ma YQ, Cai XH. [Analgesic effect of Corydalis yanhusuo in a rat model of trigeminal neuropathic pain]. Nan Fang Yi Ke Da Xue Xue Bao. 2010 Sep;30(9):2161-4. Chinese. PMID: 20855279.

² Wu L, Zhang W, Qiu X, Wang C, Liu Y, Wang Z, Yu Y, Ye RD, Zhang Y. Identification of Alkaloids from Corydalisyanhusuo W. T. Wang as Dopamine D₁ Receptor Antagonists by Using CRE-Luciferase Reporter Gene Assay. Molecules. 2018 Oct 10;23(10):2585. doi: 10.3390/molecules23102585. PMID: 30308941; PMCID: PMC6222624.