Yuan Zhi
Polygala tenuifolia
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Pl. D62F — Polygala tenuifolia
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IOverview
Overview
Yuan Zhi, known botanically as Polygala tenuifolia, is a perennial plant native to the northern regions of China and parts of Russia such as Altay, Amur, Buryatiya, Chita, Inner Mongolia, and Khabarovsk. This adaptable plant thrives in moist conditions with light to partial shade, making it suitable for gardens with varying soil types from sandy to clay. It is commonly found in the wild in areas with hardiness zones 5-9. The root and leaves of Yuan Zhi are edible and have been traditionally used in Chinese medicine (TCM) to address stress and anxiety, often referred to as a "restless mind." Additionally, it supports energy and focus, particularly when combined with bacopa. Its distinctive features include its light requirement for full sun or partial shade and its ability to grow up to 0.2 meters tall.
Quick answers
What is Yuan Zhi?
Yuan Zhi, known botanically as Polygala tenuifolia, is a perennial plant native to the northern regions of China and parts of Russia such as Altay, Amur, Buryatiya, Chita, Inner Mongolia, and Khabarovsk.
What is Yuan Zhi used for?
Traditionally used for stress & anxiety, energy & focus. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 2 evidence-ranked uses of Yuan Zhi
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
2 claims · 0 sources
Benefits & evidence
2 claims · 0 sources- Traditional use: yuan zhi in TCM for restless mind. Acrid root.
Saponins + tenuigenins
- Traditional use: yuan zhi in TCM for memory + focus weakness. Pairs with bacopa.
Saponins on cholinergic transmission
IV·bMixology suggestions
1 draft
Mixology suggestions
1 draftEditorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
Mind Focus
focustincture
Traditional use in TCM for memory and focus.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Yuan Zhi thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist soil that is light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). It is hardy in zones 5-9 and grows as a perennial, reaching heights of about 0.2 meters. For propagation, gardeners can use the leaves and roots. Ensure the soil remains consistently moist to support healthy growth.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
5-9
Life cycle
Perennial
Mature size
0.2 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Yuan Zhi for the first time
8steps
Start with a simple planting of Yuan Zhi in your garden to experience its benefits.
- 1
What you'll need
Seeds or young plants, potting soil, containers if starting indoors.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring after the last frost or in fall before the first freeze.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Use well-draining soil with a mix of light (sandy), medium, or heavy clay. Ensure containers have drainage holes.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost or directly sow in late spring. Transplant young plants outdoors after danger of frost passes.
- 5
First two weeks
Water regularly to keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Place in a partially shaded area to avoid direct sunlight.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide partial sun or light shade, and maintain consistent moisture. Fertilize sparingly with organic compost if needed.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune dead leaves and stems in late winter to encourage new growth. Avoid harvesting roots as they are not commonly used.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in full sun, neglecting to prune, and harvesting the root too early.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:LeavesRoot
Edible uses: The leaves and roots of Yuan Zhi (Polygala tenuifolia) are edible. The roots can be dried or used fresh in cooking, while the leaves are often eaten raw or lightly cooked. These parts add a mild flavor to dishes, enhancing their taste without overpowering other ingredients.
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
18 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
18 native · 0 introducedDistribution across2 continents· 18 native
Europe1 region
native (1)Russia
Asia3 regions
native (3)ChinaMongoliaSouth Korea
Broader regions
native:Altay, Amur, Buryatiya, Chita, Irkutsk, Khabarovsk, Krasnoyarsk, Primorye, Tuva
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family, common use cases, and growing requirements.
shared use cases
Different families, similar therapeutic role — good for comparing.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Health goals
Compare with similar plants
Growing zone
XII
About this entry
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- Citation
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