制远志
Aliases：Zhì Jí Yuān (Processed Polygala); Zhì Jí Yuàn (Processed Polygala); Zhì Jí Wǎn (Processed Polygala); Zhì Xì Cǎo (Processed Fine Herb); Zhì Xiàn Chá (Processed Thread Tea).
Zhì Yuǎn Zhì (Prepared Polygala Root) is a Chinese medicinal substance. It is the processed product of the dried root of Polygala tenuifolia Willd. or Polygala sibirica L., plants of the Polygalaceae family, prepared by boiling with licorice root (Gān Cǎo) decoction. Compared with the raw product, its irritant properties are significantly reduced, and its medicinal nature becomes milder, with the core efficacy focusing on calming the mind and improving intelligence.
Efficacy & Actions
Calms the mind and improves intelligence; harmonizes the heart and kidney; resolves phlegm and opens the orifices; disperses carbuncles and reduces swelling.
Indications
Mental restlessness: Insomnia, excessive dreaming, forgetfulness, palpitations, and mental confusion due to disharmony between the heart and kidney (failure of heart-kidney interaction). Phlegm patterns: Difficulty in expectoration and thick, sticky phlegm. Surgical conditions: Carbuncles, sores, toxic swellings, and breast swelling with pain. Others: Disharmony between the heart and kidney, and epilepsy with manic episodes.
Modern Pharmacology
Sedative, hypnotic, antidepressant, and learning/memory-improving effects. Improvement of cardiac function, antitussive, and expectorant effects. Inhibition of gastrointestinal motility and stimulation of uterine smooth muscle. Antidiabetic effects against diabetes and its complications, and anti-inflammatory effects.
Ingredients
Saponins: Polygalasaponins, among others. Oligosaccharide Esters: The main active components. Others: Polygalaxanthone, alkaloids, polygalitol, tenuidine, fatty oils, resins, among others.
Usage & Dosage
Oral Administration: Decoction, the standard dosage is 3–10g; may also be steeped in wine, or prepared in pills or powder. Topical Application: Appropriate amount, ground into powder and mixed with wine for external application.
Contraindications
Use with caution in patients with gastric ulcers and gastritis. Use with caution in patients with excess heat or internal exuberance of phlegm-fire. Use with caution in patients with yin deficiency and fire excess, or excess heat patterns. Pregnant women should use with caution. Should not be used together with sedatives or anesthetics (dosage should not be excessive). Should not be used together with Vitamin C (as it may decompose glycosides and affect efficacy). Should not be used together with Bistort Rhizome (Quán Shēn) (as saponins may be precipitated by tannins). Contraindicated for use with Veratrum nigrum (Lí Lú), Pearl (Zhēn Zhū), Scarab (Qí Cáo), and other incompatible herbs.
Selected Formulas
Yuǎn Zhì Wán (Polygala Pill, from Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Fang) Ingredients: Prepared Polygala Root (Zhì Yuǎn Zhì), Poria with Hostwood (Fú Shén), Dragon Teeth (Lóng Chǐ), Cinnabar (Zhū Shā), among others. Efficacy: Calms the mind and stabilizes the spirit. Indications: Restlessness, insomnia, and palpitations due to disharmony between the heart and kidney (failure of heart-kidney interaction). Guī Pí Wán (Spleen-Restoring Pill, from Ji Sheng Fang) Ingredients: Prepared Polygala Root (Zhì Yuǎn Zhì) combined with Codonopsis Root (Dǎng Shēn), Stir-fried White Atractylodes (Chǎo Bái Zhú), Honey-fried Astragalus (Zhì Huáng Qí), Honey-fried Licorice (Zhì Gān Cǎo), Poria (Fú Líng), Stir-fried Sour Jujube Seed (Chǎo Suān Zǎo Rén), Longan Aril (Lóng Yǎn Ròu), Angelica Root (Dāng Guī), Costus Root (Mù Xiāng), and Jujube Date (Dà Zǎo), among others. Efficacy: Tonifies qi, strengthens the spleen, nourishes blood, and calms the mind. Indications: Palpitations, insomnia, and forgetfulness due to dual deficiency of the heart and spleen with insufficiency of qi and blood.
Medicinal Parts
Dried root.
Selection & Storage
Store in a dry container, sealed, in a well-ventilated and dry place.
