Polygala
Polygala tenuifolia · 远志
Herbs & Roots. Chinese Medicine.
Also called Yuan zhi, Milkwort root, Chinese senega, Thin-leaved polygala
Pinyin: Yuǎn zhì
Can upset stomachThe root of a small Asian plant, used in Chinese medicine for memory, restless sleep and cough with thick phlegm.
Did you know? A North American relative, Seneca snakeroot, is named after the Seneca people, who used its root, but the Chinese herb comes from a different species.
What it may help, and how strong the proof is
- Memory & focus. Memory benefits appear in lab and animal studies. Human memory trials are lacking.Traditional proof
- Low mood. Some animal studies show calming and mood effects. Strong human data do not exist.Traditional proof
- Sore throat & cough. Used in tradition for cough and phlegm. Modern human trials are few.Traditional proof
Parts of the body
Traditional use
Traditional Chinese Medicine has used polygala for forgetfulness, poor sleep, worry and cough with thick phlegm. It appears in the classic formula Kai Xin San (Open the Heart Powder).
How it is classified
- Herbal actions
- Nervine, Expectorant, Brain tonic. Energy: warming.
- Chinese medicine
- 远志 Calm the spirit. Nature: warm. Flavour: bitter, pungent. Enters the Heart, Kidney and Lung channels.
How people take it
Traditional doses are about 3 to 10 grams of dried root in a decoction. Few human studies have set a dose. Capsules should follow the label.
Decoction, capsule and powder.
Where to get it
Grows in dry, sunny grasslands and hillsides in northern China, Korea and Japan. Sold as dried root pieces or powder in herb shops, and as capsules online.
Be careful
Large amounts may cause nausea, vomiting and stomach upset. Avoid it if you have a stomach ulcer. Pregnancy, breastfeeding and young children are not well studied.
Avoid if: pregnancy; breastfeeding; stomach ulcer; children under 12.
Mixing with other things
- Works well together
Gui Pi Tang (Restore the Spleen Decoction) combines seed and polygala root for poor sleep, worry and poor memory.
- Works well together
Kai Xin San (Open the Heart Powder) combines polygala with ginseng and poria to calm the mind and support memory.
- Works well together
Also in Kai Xin San, where poria helps calm the mind.
- Works well together
Both are used to calm the mind and ease worry in Chinese medicine.
- Use cautionSleep or anxiety medicine (Ambien, Xanax, Ativan)
Animal studies show calming effects, so it may add drowsiness to sleep aids. Human data are lacking.
- Use cautionAlcohol (beer, wine, spirits)
Alcohol adds to the drowsiness.
Adds up with others that can make you drowsy: , , , , , , , , , , , , , and 14 more.
Found in these formulas
Restore the Spleen (TCM)
The honest take
Polygala has a long history in Chinese medicine, but nearly all modern evidence comes from lab and animal work. Human trials for memory, mood or cough are lacking. It is best seen as a traditional herb, not proven brain support.