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Polygala, Yuan Zhi 远志
Chinese Senega, Thinleaf Milkwort
Yuan Zhi (TCM)
Byi 'u srad ma བྱི་འུ་ སྲད་མ་ (Herb, Tibetan Medicine)
Yuan Zhi (TCM)
Byi 'u srad ma བྱི་འུ་ སྲད་མ་ (Herb, Tibetan Medicine)
Colla., Icones plantarum rariorum herbarium pedemontanum, (1835-1837)
Botanical name:
Polygala spp.
Parts used:
Root. Classically, the root and leaf were often both used. (Ming Yi Bie Lu)
Temperature & Taste:
Warm, dry. Bitter, Pungent, Aromatic (TCM)
Classification:
H. Nourish the Heart
Polygala spp.
- P. tenuifolia
- P. sibirica
Parts used:
Root. Classically, the root and leaf were often both used. (Ming Yi Bie Lu)
Temperature & Taste:
Warm, dry. Bitter, Pungent, Aromatic (TCM)
Classification:
H. Nourish the Heart
Uses:
1. Calms the Heart, Settles the Spirit:
-Insomnia, Palpitations with Anxiety, Restlessness, Disorientation, Confusion, Poor Memory
-good for mental and emotional disorders associated with Phlegm and Damp obstruction
-Seizures and Convulsions associated with Phlegm clouding the Heart and Mind
-Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease
-'Benefits the Intelligence and invigorates the Wisdom' ... 'strengthens Willpower' (Li Shi Zhen)
-'Facilitates the functions of the Nine Orifices' (Shen Nong Ben Cao)
-'Pacifies the Spirit and Soul'. (Zhen Quan)
2. Clears Phlegm, Stops Cough:
-Cough and Dyspnea with hard-to-clear Mucus
-leaf and flower is used for accumulation of serous fluid (Tibetan Medicine)
3. Clears Heat and Toxin, Reduces Swelling:
-topically for boil, abscesses, Carbuncles, painful breast swellings
-neutralizes Aconite poison (Xu Zhi Cai)
-Wounds, Bites of rabid dogs (Tibetan Medicine)
4. Benefits Qi:
-older texts listed it to tonify deficiency
-replenishes in deficiency ... strengthens physical force (Shen Nong Ben Cao)
-long-term use promotes happiness and prolongs life (Shen Nong Ben Cao)
-reinforces Vital Essence (Ming Yi Bie Lu)
-'makes a person energetic and sexually potent'. (Zhen Quan)
Dose:
Decoction: 6–15 grams
Powder: 1–3 grams
Comment:
Li Shi Zhen said its name means 'longer memory'
Correctives:
1. Licorice
2. Its effect was said to be enhanced by Poria Fu Ling, Mallow seed (Dong Kui Zi) and Fossil Bones (Long Gu). (Xu Zhi Cai)
Substitutes:
Senega is an appropriate substitute in some instances.
Preparation:
Licorice-prepared Polygala Yuan Zhi
The pith in the center of the root should be removed. Soak the drug overnight in Licorice decoction, then sun dry or bake to dryness. This preparations enhances all the effects of Polygala Yuan Zhi while correcting it. It also makes it more tonifying.
Decoction: 6–15 grams
Powder: 1–3 grams
Comment:
Li Shi Zhen said its name means 'longer memory'
Correctives:
1. Licorice
2. Its effect was said to be enhanced by Poria Fu Ling, Mallow seed (Dong Kui Zi) and Fossil Bones (Long Gu). (Xu Zhi Cai)
Substitutes:
Senega is an appropriate substitute in some instances.
Preparation:
Licorice-prepared Polygala Yuan Zhi
The pith in the center of the root should be removed. Soak the drug overnight in Licorice decoction, then sun dry or bake to dryness. This preparations enhances all the effects of Polygala Yuan Zhi while correcting it. It also makes it more tonifying.
Main Combinations:
Combines well with Calamus for Phlegm and Damp obstruction of the Brain and Nerves; Confusion, Retardation, slow development and mental dullness; Vertigo; Insomnia and Agitation from Phlegm obstructing the Heart; also Poor Memory.
1. Poor Memory, Mental Dullness:
i. Phlegm obstructing the Heart and Mind with disorientation, combine Polygala Yuan Zhi with Curcuma Yu Jin and Calamus
ii. Forgetfulness and restlessness, Polygala Yuan Zhi with Ginseng, Poria Fu Ling and Calamus
iii. Phlegm-Damp obstructing the Mind with confusion, mental dullness, dizziness, Polygala Yuan Zhi with Gastrodia Tian Ma, Polygala Yuan Zhi, Pinellia Ban Xia
2. Palpitations, Anxiety, Insomnia:
i. Polygala Yuan Zhi with Zizyphus Suan Zao Ren and Poria Fu Shen
ii. Polygala Yuan Zhi with Ziziphus seed Suan Zao Ren, Dang Gui
iii. Polygala Yuan Zhi with Platycladus Bai Zi Ren, Dang Gui, Astragalus Huang Qi, Poria Fu Ling, Schisandra Wu Wei Zi, Licorice (as in Bai Zi Yang Xin Pills)
iv. Heart Yin deficiency with Insomnia, Restlessness, Polygala Yuan Zhi with Ophiopogon Mai Men Dong, Asparagus root Tian Men Dong, Schisandra Wu Wei Zi, Ziziphus Suan Zao Ren (as in Tian Wang Bu Xin Wan)
v. Polygala Yuan Zhi with Pseudostellaria Tai Zi Shen, Dang Gui, Ziziphus seed Suan Zao Ren, Licorice
vi. Polygala Yuan Zhi with Dragon Bones (Long Gu), Zizyphus Suan Zao Ren
3. Heart Fire causing Madness, Mania, Hallucinations, Tabasheer (Tian Zhu Huang) with Bezoar (Niu Huang), Cinnabar (Zhu Sha), Coptis Huang Lian, Polygala Yuan Zhi, Poria Fu Shen, Licorice, Gold and Silver (as in Tian Zhu Huang Wan)
4. Depression,
i. Polygala Yuan Zhi, Ginseng Ren Shen (as in Shen Yuan: see reserach below)
ii. Polygala Yuan Zhi, Ginseng Ren Shen, Zizyphus Suan Zao Ren, Dang Gui has been found effective in Major Depression. See here)
iii. Ginseng Ren Shen, Calamus Shi Chang Pu, Polygala Yuan Zhi, Poria Fu Ling (Kai Xin San)
5. Seizures from Wind-Phlegm, Polygala Yuan Zhi with Atractylodes Bai Zhu, Pinella Ban Xia, Gastrodia Tian Ma
6. Senile Dementia, Polygala Yuan Zhi with Atractylodes Bai Zhu, Ginseng, Rehmannia Shu Di Huang, Dang Gui, Licorice (as in Qi Fu Yin)
7. Alzheimer's Disease:
i. Ginseng Ren Shen, Calamus Shi Chang Pu, Polygala Yuan Zhi, Poria Fu Ling (Kai Xin San)
ii. Polygala Yuan Zhi with Polygonum He Shou Wu, Calamus (Shi Chang Pu), Rehmannia Shu Di Huang. This is a Traditional Korean combination and has been studfied.
8. Swollen skin and joint pain, Acanthopanax Wu Jia Pi with Polygala Yuan Zhi (as in Wu Jia Pi Wan from Rui Zhu Tang Jing Yan Fang ([Formulas from Experience from the Rui Zhu Tang Pharmacy]).
Major Formulas:
Ding Xian Wan
Ding Zhi Wan
Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang
Sang Piao Xiao San
Tian Wang Bu Xin Wan
Cautions:
1. Not for Yin deficient Heat
2. Not used in Peptic Ulcers or Gastritis
3. Use cautiously during Pregnancy
Toxicity:
–The Gastrointestinal Irritation of Polygala Saponins and Its Potential Mechanism In Vitro and In Vivo
–SPERMICIDAL: Effects of the crude extract of Polygala tenuifolia Willd on human sperm in vitro
–Occupational Asthma and Rhinitis Induced by a Herbal Medicine, Wonji (Polygala tenuifolia)
Drug Interactions:
1. Licorice is said to antagonize Polygala
2. Pearl counteracts Polygala.
Main Preparations used:
1. Not for Yin deficient Heat
2. Not used in Peptic Ulcers or Gastritis
3. Use cautiously during Pregnancy
Toxicity:
–The Gastrointestinal Irritation of Polygala Saponins and Its Potential Mechanism In Vitro and In Vivo
–SPERMICIDAL: Effects of the crude extract of Polygala tenuifolia Willd on human sperm in vitro
–Occupational Asthma and Rhinitis Induced by a Herbal Medicine, Wonji (Polygala tenuifolia)
Drug Interactions:
1. Licorice is said to antagonize Polygala
2. Pearl counteracts Polygala.
Main Preparations used:
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ANTI-INFLAMMATORY:
–Chemical Constituents of the Roots of Polygala tenuifolia and Their Anti-Inflammatory Effects
NEUROPROTECTIVE:
–Neuroprotective effects of the aerial parts of Polygala tenuifolia Willd extract on scopolamine-induced learning and memory impairments in mice
–Neuroprotective Effects and Mechanisms of Senegenin, an Effective Compound Originated From the Roots of Polygala Tenuifolia
–The neuritogenic and neuroprotective potential of senegenin against Aβ-induced neurotoxicity in PC 12 cells
–Chinese Herbal Extracts Exert Neuroprotective Effect in Alzheimer’s Disease Mouse Through the Dopaminergic Synapse/Apoptosis Signaling Pathway
MEMORY-ENHANCING:
–Neuroprotective effects of the aerial parts of Polygala tenuifolia Willd extract on scopolamine-induced learning and memory impairments in mice
–Memory-Enhancing Effects of the Crude Extract of Polygala tenuifolia on Aged Mice
–Polygalae Radix Extract Prevents Axonal Degeneration and Memory Deficits in a Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease
DEPRESSION:
–The Antidepressant-Like Effects of Shen Yuan in a Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress Rat Model
–The Chinese Herbal Formula PAPZ Ameliorates Behavioral Abnormalities in Depressive Mice
–Antidepressant-like effects and memory enhancement of a herbal formula in mice exposed to chronic mild stress
–Preclinical Evidence of Rapid-Onset Antidepressant-Like Effect in Radix Polygalae Extract
ATTENUATES COGNITIVE DEFICITS:
–Active constituent of Polygala tenuifolia attenuates cognitive deficits by rescuing hippocampal neurogenesis in APP/PS1 transgenic mice
4. ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE:
–Polygala tenuifolia: a source for anti-Alzheimer’s disease drugs
–Protective Effects and Mechanism of Radix Polygalae Against Neurological Diseases as Well as Effective Substance
–Chinese Herbal Extracts Exert Neuroprotective Effect in Alzheimer’s Disease Mouse Through the Dopaminergic Synapse/Apoptosis Signaling Pathway
–Polygalae Radix Extract Prevents Axonal Degeneration and Memory Deficits in a Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease
PARKINSON'S DISEASE
–Protective Effects and Mechanism of Radix Polygalae Against Neurological Diseases as Well as Effective Substance
DERMATITIS:
–Extract of Polygala tenuifolia Alleviates Stress-Exacerbated Atopy-Like Skin Dermatitis through the Modulation of Protein Kinase A and p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling Pathway
–Chemical Constituents of the Roots of Polygala tenuifolia and Their Anti-Inflammatory Effects
NEUROPROTECTIVE:
–Neuroprotective effects of the aerial parts of Polygala tenuifolia Willd extract on scopolamine-induced learning and memory impairments in mice
–Neuroprotective Effects and Mechanisms of Senegenin, an Effective Compound Originated From the Roots of Polygala Tenuifolia
–The neuritogenic and neuroprotective potential of senegenin against Aβ-induced neurotoxicity in PC 12 cells
–Chinese Herbal Extracts Exert Neuroprotective Effect in Alzheimer’s Disease Mouse Through the Dopaminergic Synapse/Apoptosis Signaling Pathway
MEMORY-ENHANCING:
–Neuroprotective effects of the aerial parts of Polygala tenuifolia Willd extract on scopolamine-induced learning and memory impairments in mice
–Memory-Enhancing Effects of the Crude Extract of Polygala tenuifolia on Aged Mice
–Polygalae Radix Extract Prevents Axonal Degeneration and Memory Deficits in a Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease
DEPRESSION:
–The Antidepressant-Like Effects of Shen Yuan in a Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress Rat Model
–The Chinese Herbal Formula PAPZ Ameliorates Behavioral Abnormalities in Depressive Mice
–Antidepressant-like effects and memory enhancement of a herbal formula in mice exposed to chronic mild stress
–Preclinical Evidence of Rapid-Onset Antidepressant-Like Effect in Radix Polygalae Extract
ATTENUATES COGNITIVE DEFICITS:
–Active constituent of Polygala tenuifolia attenuates cognitive deficits by rescuing hippocampal neurogenesis in APP/PS1 transgenic mice
4. ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE:
–Polygala tenuifolia: a source for anti-Alzheimer’s disease drugs
–Protective Effects and Mechanism of Radix Polygalae Against Neurological Diseases as Well as Effective Substance
–Chinese Herbal Extracts Exert Neuroprotective Effect in Alzheimer’s Disease Mouse Through the Dopaminergic Synapse/Apoptosis Signaling Pathway
–Polygalae Radix Extract Prevents Axonal Degeneration and Memory Deficits in a Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease
PARKINSON'S DISEASE
–Protective Effects and Mechanism of Radix Polygalae Against Neurological Diseases as Well as Effective Substance
DERMATITIS:
–Extract of Polygala tenuifolia Alleviates Stress-Exacerbated Atopy-Like Skin Dermatitis through the Modulation of Protein Kinase A and p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling Pathway