What is the Chinese name for Polygala tenuifolia?
Polygala tenuifolia (yuǎn zhì; Chinese: 远志) is an herb in the family Polygalaceae which is hardy to USDA Zone 6. Polygala tenuifolia (PT), also called Yuanzhi by the ancients, is another traditional Chinese herb frequently used for insomnia treatment.
Is Polygala toxic?
The Polygala fruticosa aqueous extract is non-toxic and has, at low dose, a low toxicity potential in acute and chronic oral administrations, respectively. However, at high chronic oral doses, Polygala fruticosa has significant anti-haemopoietic, hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic activities. As with polygala fruticosa, the toxicity of Polygala myrtifolia is not well documented. According to some, ingesting the plant may cause digestive disorders, such as vomiting and nausea. For others, myrtle-leaved polygala is harmless.