Evidence supporting the use of: Polygala
For the body system: Dopamine

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Polygala, particularly Polygala tenuifolia (commonly known as Yuan Zhi in traditional Chinese medicine), has a long history of use in East Asian herbal traditions for its purported effects on the mind, including mood regulation, memory enhancement, and calming properties. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), it is categorized as a tonic for the "Shen" (spirit), and has been used to treat conditions like insomnia, anxiety, and forgetfulness, which are sometimes associated with imbalances in neurotransmitters such as dopamine. However, the specific claim that Polygala supports the "dopamine body system" is primarily inferred from its traditional reputation as a mood and cognitive enhancer, rather than from direct evidence of dopamine modulation. Limited preclinical studies have investigated Polygala’s effects on the central nervous system, with some rodent studies suggesting that extracts of Polygala tenuifolia may have neuroprotective effects, promote neurogenesis, and exert antidepressant-like actions. Some of these effects could theoretically involve dopaminergic pathways, but robust clinical evidence in humans is lacking. There are currently no well-established human trials demonstrating that Polygala directly increases dopamine levels or reliably supports dopamine-driven physiological processes. Thus, while its use is supported by tradition and some promising preliminary research, scientific validation for its specific impact on dopamine is insufficient at this time.

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