Polygala tenuifolia

Willd.

Chinese Senega

PolygalaceaeLeavesRootsPotential hazards — see below

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(c) Chuangzao, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Chuangzao

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(c) Оля Завгородняя, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Оля Завгородняя

What to Eat

Edible parts: Leaves, Root

Young leaves are eaten cooked. The root is also eaten cooked — the core is removed first, then the root is boiled in several changes of water.

Known Hazards

Where to Find It

It is a temperate plant. It grows on grassland and mountain slopes between 500-2,300 m above sea level.

Asia, China, Korea, Manchuria, Mongolia, Russia,

Countries: United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Brunei, Bhutan, China, Georgia, Indonesia, Israel, India, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Cambodia, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Laos, Lebanon, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mongolia, Maldives, Malaysia, Nepal, Oman, Philippines, Pakistan, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Syria, Thailand, Tajikistan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Taiwan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen

How to Identify

A herb. It keeps growing from year to year. The main root is 10 cm long and stout. The stems are ridged and hairy. The leaves have almost no stalks and the leaves are narrow and 10-3- mm long by 1-2 mm wide.

How to Grow

Prefers a moderately fertile moisture-retentive well-drained soil, succeeding in full sun if the soil remains moist throughout the growing season, otherwise it is best in semi-shade. Dislikes shade according to another report. Plants are hardy to at least -15°c.

Propagation: Sow seed in spring or autumn in a cold frame. Prick seedlings into individual pots once large enough to handle and grow on in the greenhouse through their first winter. Plant out into permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. The plant can also be propagated by division or by cuttings of young shoots taken in late spring and rooted in a frame.

Medicinal Uses

Known as Yuan Zhi, this plant contains triterpenoid saponins that promote the clearing of phlegm from the bronchial tubes. It is used primarily as an expectorant and stimulant for bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, and whooping cough. The root is antibacterial, cardiotonic, cerebrotonic, expectorant, haemolytic, hypotensive, sedative, and tonic, acting mainly on the heart and kidney energies. Taken internally, it treats coughs with profuse phlegm, bronchitis, insomnia, palpitations, poor memory, anxiety, depression, and nervous tension. Applied externally, it is used on boils and carbuncles. The root is harvested in autumn and dried for later use. The leaves are used as a kidney tonic.

Other Uses

None known.

Wikipedia

Source ↗

Polygala tenuifolia (yuǎn zhì; Chinese: 远志) is an herb in the family Polygalaceae which is hardy to USDA Zone 6.

Notes

There are about 600 Polygala species.

References (5)

Lim, T. K., 2015, Edible Medicinal and Non Medicinal Plants. Volume 9, Modified Stems, Roots, Bulbs. Springer p 66
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
READ,
Sp. pl. 3(2):879. 1802
Urgamal, M., Oyuntsetseg, B., Nyambayar, D. & Dulamsuren, Ch. 2014. Conspectus of the vascular plants of Mongolia. (Editors: Sanchir, Ch. & Jamsran, Ts.). Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. “Admon“ Press. 334pp. (p. 143-158).