Corydalis nepalensis, Re skon རེ་སྐོན

Nepalese Fumewort
Re skon; Re skon rtsi dmar (Tibet)
C. boweri
Hooker, W.J., Hooker, J.D., Icones Plantarum
[Hooker’s Icones plantarum], vol. 25 (1896)

Corydalis edulis
(Photo by 阿橋) (Wikimedia)

Botanical name:

Corydalis spp.

1. Re skon rtsi dmar–C. nepalensis (syn. C. hendersonii)
2. Re skon rtsi skya–C. boweri

Other species reportedly used include C. dubia (in Bhutan) and C. edulis.

Parts used:

Whole plant

Temperature & Taste:

Cool, dry. Bitter

Uses:

1. Clears Heat from the Blood:
-Heat of the Blood; Fever of the Blood
-Putrefaction of the Blood
-Dark Phlegm obstructing the Channels

2. Moves the Blood, Clears Stasis:
-Menstrual disorders with blood stasis
-Menopause

3. Clears Wind-Heat:
– pain and inflammation of the Nerves

Dose:

Powder: 1–3 grams

Substitutes:

1. Potentilla longpodular, Potentilla viscosa,. Potentilla gluey, Potentilla tanacetifolia have been listed as alternate varieties or substitutes. Potentilla spp. are used in Buryat region.
2. Russian sources have given Salvia Dan Shen as a source for Re Skon. This may be an accepted substitute for Tibetans living in Russia.

Main Combinations:

Major Formulas:

Lotus Stem White Pills (Ril dkar pad sdong)
Podophyllum 25 (‘Ol se nyer lnga) (Tibetan)
Sandalwood 18 (Tsan dan bco brgyad) (Tibetan)
Rolled Turquoise 13 (Gyu dril 13) (Tibetan)

Cautions:

None noted

Main Preparations used: