title: Polygala tenuifolia
text: # Polygala tenuifolia
  
  Polygala tenuifolia (yuǎn zhì; Chinese: 远志) is an herb in the family Polygalaceae which is hardy to USDA Zone 6.
  
  ## Phytochemistry
  
  P. tenuifolia contains tenuifolin, senegenin, and polygalacic acid.
  
  ## Medicinal uses
  
  Yuan zhi is used primarily as an expectorant. It is one of the 50 fundamental herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine, where it is called yuǎn zhì (Chinese: 遠志) and believed to have neuropsychiatric effects. It has been studied as a potential drug source in depression and Alzheimer's. However, quality of the herb varies widely, and as of 2020 there have been no toxicological studies or clinical trials.
  
  