polygala tenuifolia root

Polygala tenuifolia root, also known as Polygalae Radix or Yuan Zhi, is a traditional herbal medicine derived from the dried root of *Polygala tenuifolia* Willd., a plant in the Polygalaceae family. It is officially listed in the Chinese, Japanese, and Korean Pharmacopoeias and has been used for over 2000 years in East Asian traditional medicine. The root contains a complex mixture of active constituents, including triterpene saponins (such as tenuigenin and tenuifolin), xanthones, and oligosaccharide esters (including 3,6'-disinapoyl sucrose). Modern research investigates its potential for treating neurodegenerative and psychiatric conditions due to its neuroprotective, antidepressant, and cognitive-enhancing properties. It is thought to modulate neurotransmitter levels, reduce neuroinflammation, and influence energy metabolism pathways such as glycolysis and the TCA cycle.

Brand names

Yuanzhi

Other names

Polygalae RadixYuan ZhiYuanzhiRadix PolygalaeSiberian milkwort root