Witnessed by: TCM
Chinese senega (Polygala tenuifolia), of the Polygalaceae family. Slender wiry perennial of dry sunny slopes with narrow leaves; native range: northern China, Mongolia and Korea. Globally recognized as yuan zhi (遠志) in Chinese, and thin-leaf milkwort, polygala in English. The part used is root bark. Hollow tubular root sleeves, bitter and acrid, catching in the throat when tasted raw.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
CHINESE SENEGA
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- Chinese senega
- Scientific name
- Polygala tenuifolia Willd.
- Family
- Polygalaceae
Form
- Part used
- root bark
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- TCM
- bitter · pungent
Temperature
- TCM
- warm (slightly)
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- TCM
- Heart · Kidney · Lung
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- TCM
- calms the spirit and quiets the Heart, opens the orifices and expels phlegm, reduces abscess and dissipates swelling
Cautions
- Contraindications
- avoid or use with care in gastritis or peptic ulcer, and in Yin deficiency with heat
- Toxicity
- may irritate the stomach and induce nausea, especially raw or in large dose
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