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The dried root of Polygala tenuifolia or P. sibirica (Polygalaceae). Enters the Heart, Kidney, and Lung channels. Bitter, pungent, and warm, it enters the Heart and Kidney to facilitate Heart-Kidney communication and calm the spirit while sharpening intellect, and enters the Lung to expel phlegm and open the orifices. Featured in Ding Zhi Wan and An Shen Ding Zhi Wan as the key herb for communicating Heart and Kidney and stabilizing the mind.
祛痰开窍、消痈散肿力强
缓和燥性与对胃的刺激，长于安神益智
煎服3–10g；研末服1–3g；制用较为常见以缓其对胃黏膜的刺激。
Reference range for non-pregnant adults. Not a personalized prescription. Pregnancy, lactation, and pediatric use require specialist supervision.
Protective guidance only — when to avoid or use with caution. This block deliberately omits pregnancy, lactation, and pediatric dosing: any such use must be managed by a qualified TCM practitioner or appropriate specialist.
凡实热、阴虚火旺者，及有胃炎、胃溃疡者慎服。孕妇慎用。
含远志皂苷，对胃黏膜有刺激，可引起恶心呕吐，故多用制品。不宜空腹大剂量服用。大剂量可引起溶血及反射性增加支气管腺体分泌。
味苦，温。主咳逆伤中，补不足，除邪气，利九窍，益智慧，耳目聪明，不忘，强志，倍力。
上品
@misc{bencaodian-yuan-zhi,
author = {{Bencaodian Editorial}},
title = {Yuǎn Zhì 远志 (Polygala Root) — Polygalae Radix},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {Bencao Dian: A Bilingual Knowledge Graph of Traditional Chinese Medicine},
url = {https://bencaodian.org/en/herbs/yuan-zhi},
urldate = {2026-04-17},
note = {CC BY-SA 4.0}
}© Bencaodian Editorial · Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
远志主含三萜皂苷（远志皂苷、细叶远志皂苷），具有镇静安神、改善学习记忆、祛痰及抗抑郁作用；但皂苷对胃黏膜有刺激性，胃炎、溃疡者慎用。
Polygala root contains triterpenoid saponins (onjisaponins, tenuifolin) with sedative, cognition-enhancing, expectorant and antidepressant effects; saponins are gastric irritants, so caution is needed in gastritis or ulcer patients.
《中药学》（Bensky）指出远志兼通心肾、化痰开窍，为健忘失眠要药。
Bensky notes Yuan Zhi connects heart and kidney and transforms phlegm, a key herb for forgetfulness and insomnia.
Chen & Chen 引述动物实验证实远志皂苷改善学习记忆，相关成分开发为保健品。
Chen & Chen cite animal studies confirming memory-enhancing effects of onjisaponins, with related compounds developed into supplements.
This section is provided for academic reference only and does not constitute medical advice.