Abstract: In this study, we explored the alleviating effects of exogenous calcium (Ca²⁺) and potassium (K⁺) on Corydalis yanhusuo seedlings under cadmium (Cd) stress. Seedlings of C. yanhusuo were grown in soil containing Cd (0-25 mg/kg) and their plant height, biomass and physiological characteristics, heavy metal content, and medicinal quality were determined. At all levels of Cd stress, the optimal concentrations of exogenous Ca²⁺ and K⁺ to alleviate Cd stress were 100 and 200 mg/kg, respectively. Under low-Cd and high-Cd stress, the addition of 100 mg/kg Ca²⁺ increased the soluble sugars content in seedlings, increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT), and decreased the malondialdehyde (MDA) content, compared with those in plants without exogenous Ca²⁺ treatment. There were no changes in these parameters in plants under low-Cd stress treated with K⁺ at 200 mg/kg. Under all levels of Cd stress, the addition exogenous Ca²⁺ and K⁺ at the optimal concentrations decreased the rate of micronucleus formation in the roots, indicating that there was a significant alleviation of Cd poisoning. Under Cd stress (especially high-Cd stress at 25 mg/kg), exogenous Ca²⁺ and K⁺ alleviated Cd poisoning of seedlings and relieved chromosomal damage by increasing the antioxidant capacity of C. yanhusuo seedlings. Exogenous Ca²⁺ and K⁺ also affected Cd accumulation in above-ground and below-ground parts of the plant, but the effects were complex. Under 25 mg/kg Cd stress, the tetrahydropalmatine content increased by 27.52% after adding exogenous Ca²⁺, indicating a significant increase in the medicinal quality of C. yanhusuo. Therefore, when growing C. yanhusuo in soil contaminated with Cd, the addition of an appropriate amount of Ca²⁺ can alleviate Cd poisoning via its effects on the activity of antioxidant enzymes. This leads to a decrease in the Cd content in tubers, thereby improving their medicinal quality. These results provide a theoretical basis for the safe and efficient cultivation of high-quality C. yanhusuo in Cd-contaminated soil.