Evidence supporting the use of: Polygala root
For the health condition: Worry

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Synopsis

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

Polygala root (also known as Polygala tenuifolia or Yuan Zhi) has a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as a remedy for emotional disturbances, including "worry," anxiety, and insomnia. Historically, it is considered to "calm the spirit" (shen) and "open the orifices," which, in TCM theory, relates to clearing mental confusion and alleviating emotional distress. Ancient Chinese medical texts describe its use in formulas aimed at treating symptoms that today might be associated with anxiety, excessive worrying, or restlessness.

Modern scientific research on Polygala root specifically for anxiety or "worry" is limited but growing. Some animal studies suggest neuroprotective, anxiolytic, and antidepressant-like effects, possibly due to its active compounds such as tenuifolin and senegenin, which may modulate neurotransmitter systems. However, robust clinical trials in humans are lacking, and the majority of evidence for its use in alleviating worry remains anecdotal or based on traditional practice rather than rigorous scientific validation.

In summary, the use of Polygala root to support or treat worry is primarily justified by traditional usage in TCM, with some preliminary but not conclusive scientific support. More well-designed human studies are needed to firmly establish its efficacy and safety for this purpose.

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