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Information about the herb Polygala Tenuifolia
Polygala tenuifolia, also known as Chinese Senega is part of the Polygalaceae plant family. Polygala
sibirica is used interchangeably with Polygala tenuifolia in traditional Chinese Medicine and Polygala senega (Snakeroot) also has expectorant
activity and has been used in western herbal medicine.
Botanical Name: Polygala tenuifolia
Plant Family: Polygalaceae
Common
name: Chinese Senega, Yuan Zhi
History: Used in traditional Chinese Medicine
Plant Constituents of Polygala Tenuifolia
Contains:
- Triterpenoid saponins, including tenuifolin
- Resin
Action:
- acrid
- bitter [applied to bitter tasting drugs which act on the mucous membranes of the mouth and stomach to increase appetite and promote digestion]
- expectorant [an agent that promotes the discharge of mucous and secretions from the respiratory passages]
- sedative [a soothing agent that reduces nervousness, distress or irritation]
- warming
Medicinal Parts Used: Root bark
Polygala tenuifolia is used for:
Brain and Nervous System Conditions
Polygala tenuifolia benefits the mental states
- amnesia
- anxiety, often combined with the herbs Kava, Passionflower, Schisandra and Zizyphus
- constrained emotions
- dream-disturbed sleep, often combined with the herb Schisandra
- excessive brooding
- fear, often combined with the herb Schisandra
- forgetfulness
- insomnia, often combined with the herb Schisandra
- mental disorientation
- neuresthenia, often combined with the herb Schisandra
- palpitations, often combined with the herbs Kava, Passionflower, Schisandra and Zizyphus
- pent-up emotional states
- restlessness
Respiratory Tract Conditions
Often combined with the herbs Adhatoda, Grindelia, Euphorbia and Elecampane for Catarrhal Respiratory states such as:
- asthma
- bronchitis
- common cold
as well as
- acute and chronic lower respiratory tract infections
- allergic respiratory disorders, often combined with the herbs Albizia, Baical Skullcap
- cough with copious sputum
- sputum difficult to expectorate
Skin Conditions
- boils
- sores
- swellings
Dosage:
The adult dosage of Polygala 1:2 liquid extract is 20-20mL per week
Drug Interactions:
Do not use Polygala without first talking to your practitioner or healthcare provider if you are taking any of the following medications:
- None indicated
Information given by our website is provided for informational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by a physician or other medical professionals. You should not use the information given for diagnosing a health problem or disease. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your health care provider. The above information is just a guide to general circumstances and in no way should it contradict the advice that you have been given by your naturopath, medical doctor or specialist.
