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I have been reading a great deal lately on the topic of ethnopharmacology and have developed a strong fascination for a few plants (more so for the components thereof). A most intriguing one is Sophora flavescens, which contains an alkaloid by the name of matrine (and also oxymatrine and a bunch of others). Matrine is found to have antinociceptive activities in mice, which is in line with the traditional use of the plant in China as a pain-reliever (I think - I love the herbology of TCM but their explanations and traditions are too un-scientific for me to want to spend the time getting to understand them). I am curious if anybody has any experience with Sophora or, unlikely I know but still I must ask, matrine; or if anybody has any other insights into this plant, and others like it, which I may have overlooked. For instance, it seems to be effective as an analgesic agent in mice, but I can find no evidence that it has ever been studied in humans for this activity. We are constantly bombarded with news of the "opioid epidemic" ravaging North America and the need for less addictive drugs, but it seems to me that the many viable alternatives - "viable" at least so far as testing on mice is concerned, along with its tradition of use - have been paid little to no attention.

What did the find? Apparently a bunch of different things including (but not limited to): Arsenic, cadmium, lead, dexamethasone, ephedrine, cyproheptadine, paracetamol and snow leopard DNA. /applications/core/interface/imageproxy/imageproxy.php?img=http://www.nature.com/article-assets/npg/srep/2015/151203/srep17475/images_hires/w926/srep17475-f1.jpg&key=15289881dd68f909634cef8eb06352ef0b21d84e00a500280ba3c6e50078230f Good, but less science-y article here: https://theconversation.com/whats-in-your-herbal-medicines-52144 Science-y (methods and everything) article here: http://www.nature.com/articles/srep17475

Hello there, I would like to let others know that when I take 10g Corydalis yanhusuo whole rhizome ground to a powder with 2 grams of Rhodiola rosea I get a very nice relaxed energy which I find very useful for working long hours. I have found a similar effect when combining Corydalis with St. Johns wort. Has anyone else had this experience or can anyone else confirm this effect? The only other supplement I have taken while taking this was Piracetam/choline, Ginkgo, wild Ganoderma applanatum & wild Fomitopsis pinicola, how this influences the effects I don't know. If I take this mixture anytime after midday I cannot sleep but don't feel worn out, just alert and awake. The fungi don't influence the effects as far as I can tell. Ginkgo adds a clear calm energy of it's own that I can always feel when I just have it by itself (5-10grams dried) So I think anyone wanting relief from sore muscles plus anti-anxiety effects would enjoy Corydalis/Rhodiola together. edit: I just noticed another post asking about the best way to consume corydalis root slices, I just powder it in the coffee grinder get a heaped tea spoon full put it on your tongue and press the powder against the roof of your mouth to control it and then just wash down with water or something sweet if you can't stand the taste. Holding your nose and breathing through your mouth for 30 seconds will disable your taste buds till you let go of your nose.