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More
Information:
Other
Common Names
Polygala
Page
Number In Radiant Health
194
Pharmaceutical
Latin
Radix Polygalae
Pinyin
Yuan Zhi
Treasures
Shen
Treasure
Rating
****1/2
Atmospheric
Energy
Slightly Warm
Taste
Pungent and Bitter
Organ
Meridian Systems
Heart and Lung
Primary
Functions
To calm the heart and mind, to clear the orifices, to
resolve phlegm and to strengthen the Will
Qualities
Polygala is one of the truly extraordinary tonic herbs
in the entire Asian tonic herbal system. This herb first
attained wide use in Taoist circles because it was
believed to have powerful mind and spirit-developing
power. In fact, Polygala root was believed to be an
empowering substance in the class with wild Ginseng and
Ganoderma in this regard. This root is traditionally
used as a Shen tonic to relax the mind, calm the
emotions and to aid in the sleep process. However, it
does not relax the mind in entirely the same manner as
many Shen stabilizing herbs---Dragon Bone and Polygonum
stem for example.
Instead, many people claim that it enhances dreaming and
aids in creative thinking. And it not only aids creative
thinking, but the ability to manifest our ideas. In
fact, the ancient name for this herb is the "Will
Strengthener." The herb is believed to have the
ability to strengthen that part of the psyche which we
call the "Will." Taoists have long claimed
recommended using Polygala to strengthen the focus of
the mind and to empower our thoughts so that they may be
made real. The Taoists taught that our creative
visualization, which they called Yi, could be brought to
reality by the Will. Thus the Will had to be
strengthened. In fact, the Will was virtually considered
to by the fourth Treasure in was otherwise called the
Three Treasures system. Thus Polygala, as a
Will-strengthening herb, ranked extremely highly on the
list of important herbs in the Taoist pharmacopoeia.
These days, Polygala may be used to strengthen the Will
of the spiritual seeker, or it may be used to strengthen
the Will of the more earth-bound. It is used in
formulations to build enough will power to overcome
obstacles and to achieve greater heights. For example,
it can be used a the main ingredient in formulas to help
stop smoking, or even to break other habits, such as
drug abuse, overeating, or compulsive behavior of any
sort. Polygala has the unique power to provide the
energy (the "power") to our Will, so that we
can overcome the obstacles that block us from becoming
all that we can become. And it not only helps us break
old, bad habits. It also helps strengthen our will to do
new things, to achieve new heights. It strengthens our
Will so that we can start to work on a new project, to
start exercising, to start and continue whatever we need
to do to grow, to become a great human being. That is
the magic of Polygala, the "Will
Strengthener."
Polygala has another unique quality that sets it apart
from most other herbs, including the tonic herbs. It has
the ability to connect the Kidney (sexual) energy with
the Heart (love) energy. It does this by opening the
energy flow between the Heart and Kidney known as the
Penetrating Vessel. The Penetrating Vessel is one of the
energy channels that regulate the functions of the
body-mind. It is called a "psychic channel" by
the Taoists. Commonly, this vessel is blocked, resulting
in a de-linking of our sexual energy and our emotional
feelings. It is essential for our true health and well
being that feelings of love and the functions of sex are
united. Consuming Polygala for a period of time will
have this result. The Will Strengthener thus has a
unique power to deepen our experience and our feelings,
and to bring new levels of happiness into our lives.
Primary
Combinations
Combine with:
1. Zizyphus Seed, Albizia Bark, Spirit Poria, Biota
Seed, Polygonum Stem, Dragon Bone and Oyster Shell to
stabilize Shen and treat insomnia caused by anxiety
2. Ganoderma, Albizia Flower and Wild Red Asparagus Root
to nurture Shen
3. Lycium, Morinda, Rehmannia, Albizia Flower and Biota
to open the channel of communication between the Heart
and Kidney
Varieties
and Grading
Fresh, pliable Polygala is much more alive and potent
than old, dry, brittle roots. Larger roots are better.
Contraindications
Do not use excessively at first. Polygala root is used
to stabilize excessive dreaming, but in rare, extremely
creative individuals, Polygala may have a paradoxical
reaction at first and actually increase the intensity of
dreaming for a short period of time.
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Polygala
is one of the truly extraordinary tonic herbs in the
entire Asian tonic herbal system. This herb first
attained wide use in Daoist circles because it was
believed to have powerful mind and spirit-developing
power. In fact, Polygala root was believed to be an
empowering substance in the class with wild Ginseng and
Ganoderma in this regard. This root is traditionally
used as a Shen tonic to relax the mind, calm the
emotions and to aid in the sleep process. However, it
does not relax the mind in entirely the same manner as
many Shen stabilizing herbs.