Polygala, Yuan Zhi 远志
Chinese Senega, Thinleaf Milkwort
Yuan Zhi (TCM)
Yuan Zhi (TCM)
Colla., Icones plantarum rariorum herbarium pedemontanum, (1835-1837)
Botanical name:
Polygala tenuifolia, P. siberica
Parts used:
Root. Classically, the root and leaf were often both used. (Ming Yi Bie Lu)
Temperature & Taste:
Warm, dry. Bitter, Pungent, Aromatic
Classification:
H. Nourish the Heart
Polygala tenuifolia, P. siberica
Parts used:
Root. Classically, the root and leaf were often both used. (Ming Yi Bie Lu)
Temperature & Taste:
Warm, dry. Bitter, Pungent, Aromatic
Classification:
H. Nourish the Heart
Uses:
1. Calms the Heart, Settles the Spirit:
-Insomnia, Palpitations with Anxiety, Restlessness, Disorientation, Confusion, Poor Memory
-'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)
-good for mental and emotional disorders associated with Phlegm and Damp obstruction
-Seizures and Convulsions associated with Phlegm clouding the Heart and Mind
2. Clears Phlegm, Stops Cough:
-Cough and Dyspnea with hard-to-clear Mucus
3. Clears Heat and Toxin, Reduces Swelling:
-topically for boil, abscesses, Carbucnles, painful breast swellings
-neutralizes Aconite poison (Xu Zhi Cai)
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:
6–15 grams in decoction;
1–3 grams in powder
COMMENT:
Li Shi Zhen said its name means 'longer memory'
CORRECTIVE:
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)
SUBSTITUTE:
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.
6–15 grams in decoction;
1–3 grams in powder
COMMENT:
Li Shi Zhen said its name means 'longer memory'
CORRECTIVE:
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)
SUBSTITUTE:
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, 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. 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:
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
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
DRUG INTERACTIONS:
1. Licorice is said to antagonize Polygala
2. Pearl counteracts Polygala.
Main Preparations used: