Corydalis ambigua contains a variety of alkaloids including corynoline, acetylcorynoline, d-corydalin, dl-tetrahydropalmatine, protopine, tetrahydrocoptisine, dl-tetrahydrocoptisine, d-corybulbine and allocryptopine.

[2][3][4][5] Chemical derivatives of tetrahydroprotoberberines present in Corydalis ambigua have been studied as potential ways to increase pain tolerance and for treating drug addiction.

[6] Further, they may represent a category of neurotransmitter stabilizers which have potential use in broad range of psychotic and neurological disorders.

The bulb has a slightly bitter taste, which is removed by repeated boilings in water.

In Etorup, the Ainu boil with a certain kind of earth to remove its bitterness.