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POLYGALA

 

 

David Winston's Specific Indications*
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Name Polygala
Botanical Name

Polygala tenuifolia
Part Used dry root
Contraindications

Do not use during pregnancy or lactation. Use cautiously with ulcer or gastritis. May cause nausea in overdose. *
Traditional Information*

This herb is known as Yuan Zhi in Traditional Chinese Medicine. In vitro and in vivo studies suggest that polygala improves stress-induced memory impairment and decreases the types of neuronal damage that occurs prior to the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease, perhaps by inhibiting the secretion of amyloid beta-protein. This data supports the long history of the use of this herb in Chinese and Japanese traditional medicine as an anti-dementia treatment.
Bibliography

Shin, KY, Won, BY, Heo, C, et al. BT-11 Improves Stress-induced Memory Impairments Through Increment of Glucose Utilization and Total Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule Levels in Rat Brains. J Neurosci Res 2008 Aug 19 [Epub ahead of print].

Naito, R and Tohda, C. Characterization of Anti-neurodegenerative Effects of Polygala tenuifolia in Abeta(25-35)-treated Cortical Neurons. Biol Pharm Bull 29 (9), pp 1892-6, 2006.

Jia, H, Jiang, Y, Ruan, Y, et al. Tenuigenin Treatment Decreases Secretion of the Alzheimer’s Disease Amyloid Beta-protein in Cultured Cells. Neurosci Lett 367(1), pp123-8, 2004.

*Herbal Therapeutics Research Library

Author: David Winston (RH) AHG

 

©2007 Herbal Therapeutics Research Library. All rights reserved

 Disclaimer: The information on historical, ethnobotanical and phytotherapeutic uses of herbs and traditional formulas contained herein is based on the experience and research of the author. It is not intended as a substitute for consulting with your physician or other health care provider. Any attempt to diagnose and treat an illness should be done under the direction of a health care professional. The publisher and author are not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any of the information discussed. Should you have any questions concerning the appropriateness of any preparation mentioned, the author strongly suggests consulting a professional health care advisor.