- Region
- Asia
- Origin
- East Asia, especially China
Asia · Herb · № 768
Polygala tenuifolia
Herb · Asia
Polygala root (yuan zhi)
Polygala tenuifolia
Traditionally attributed effects: calms the mind and clears phlegm from 'the openings of the heart' and from the lungs.
Safety notes
Not with yin deficiency with heat. Can irritate the stomach. Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Cautions by tradition (1)
- Chinese materia medica: Always have seizures and epilepsy treated by a doctor.
Preparation
Root. Usually as a decoction, together with other herbs.
Use in traditions
Described in the classical Chinese materia medica, in the group 'herbs that nourish the heart and calm the mind'. Yuan zhi, 'far-reaching will', calms the mind in sleeplessness, forgetfulness and anxiety; it is part of Gui Pi Tang (Japanese: Kihito). In Japan and Korea it is being studied for memory problems.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Chinese materia medica
- Nature and taste
- bitter, sweet, warm
- Meridians
- heart, lung, kidney
Attributed effects
For palpitations, insomnia, brooding, restlessness and forgetfulness, emotional instability, cough with a lot of thick phlegm, and abscesses and swollen, painful breasts (externally as a powder or as a tincture).
Preparation and amount
Traditional dosage: 3–9 g a day, usually in a decoction. Related to the North American Seneca snakeroot, which indigenous peoples used as an expectorant.
Combinations
- With fu shen and sour jujube seed for nervousness and insomnia
- With ban xia and bei mu for cough
Caution: Always have seizures and epilepsy treated by a doctor.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Decoction