Polygala tenuifolia is one of the 50 fundamental herbs of Traditional Chinese Medicine and is the premier tonic for the brain and mental functions.

Polygala root is an NMDA antagonist, AMPA agonist, and acetylcholine esterase (AChE) inhibitor, it stimulates acetylcholine synthesis via ChAT (Choline acetyltransferase), inhibits the reuptake of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, mildly inhibits monoamine oxidase (MAO), enhances the immune system, reduces inflammation in the brain, protects neurons from oxidative stress and shock, reduces stress and cortisol levels, increases nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the hippocampus, catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) activity, attenuates Nitric Oxide, TNF-α, and PGE2 production, and reduces the secretion of amyloid β-protein (Aβ) in neuroblastoma cells.

Origin
China
Sliced root form
Prepared by Traditional Chinese Medicine texts

Properties
antidepressant, adaptogenic, neuroprotective, neurotrophic, antidepressant, anxiolytic, sedative-hypnotic, anti-dementia, anticonvulsant, expectorant, antibacterial, analgesic, memory enhancement

Constituents
tenuifolisides A, B, and C, 3,6′-disaponylsucrose (DISS), tenuifoliose A, B, C, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, S, T, V, W, and X, tenuifolin, tenuigenin,senegenin, senegenin II, senegenin III, polygalasaponin F (PGSF), tenuifoside A, polygalasaponin XXXII, onjisaponin V, E, L, G, F, O, S, R, W, TH, TE, TF, TG, Gg, and Ng, Sibiricose A1, sibiricose A5, and sibitircose A6, 7-O-methylmangiferin, shibiricaxanthone A, and lancerin, Yuanzhi-1, tetrahydrocolumbamine, triterpenoid glycosides, clionasterol, chondrillasterol, and more

Use
Up to 2 grams in tea, steeped in boiled water for 5 to 10 minutes, or a single gram when powdered and encapsulated, or made into tincture or blend. Polygala has a bitter taste and can upset the stomach, and is complementary with other mental tonics such as Celastrus, Bacopa, Gotu kola, Vinca, Muira puama, and Ginkgo biloba. The prepared variety is cooked with licorice root, improving absorption of certain constituents while reducing intestinal discomfort, allowing for higher doses to be achieved without side effects that can accompany the raw root. We recommend 4 grams of the prepared variety that we carry.

Disclaimer
The statements made on this website have not been evaluated by the FDA (U.S. Food & Drug Administration). Our products are not intended to diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. For education and research purposes only. Customers must be over 18 years of age to purchase anything from this site. Do not take any herb if under the age of 18, pregnant, or nursing a baby (or an adult for that matter), or if you have any known or suspected medical conditions, and/or taking prescription drugs or over-the-counter medications. Research all items before using them.