State/School

California License Exam, Pacific College Comps

Pharm Name

Polygalae Radix

Common Name

Polygala Root

Category

Nourish the Heart and Calm the Spirit

Ingredients

Taste

Bitter, Acrid

Pao Zhi

Honey-prepared to enhance its ability to transform phlegm and stop cough. It is most commonly used for cough with profuse phelgm that is difficult to expectorate.

Temperature

Slightly Warm

Action / Indication

1. Calms the spirit and quiets the Heart: for insomnia, palpitations with anxiety, restlessness, and disorientation. Most effective in cases related to excessive brooding or constrained, pent-up emotions as well as those related to lack of communication between the Heart and Kidneys.
2. Expels phlegm, clears the orifices, and stops coughs: used when phlegm envelops the orifice of the Heart with such manifestations as emotional and mental disorientation, spasms, or seizures. Also used for phlegm affecting the Lungs with copious sputum, especially when it is difficult to expectorate. Recently, it has also been used for angina pectoris.
3. Reduces abscesses and dissipates swellings: for boils, abscesses, sores, and swollen, painful breasts. Used in powdered form and applied topically, or taken with wine.

Treatment Principles

Calms the Heart and Shen
Clears Phlegm
Opens the Orifices
Expels Phlegm from the Lungs
Shrinks Swellings
Heals Abscesses

Contraindication

Use caution during pregnancy, with yin deficiency heat, hot phlegm conditions, and in those with ulcers or gastritis. The raw herb may irritate the stomach. To prevent this side-effect, add Gan Cao to the decoction.

Dosages

3-9g, decocted. Use honey-fried to restore the Shen, and to treat cough. For topical use, cook down into a paste.

Meridians

HT, LU

Tom's Comment

Source

Formula Type