Yuǎn Zhì (远志), known in English as Thinleaf milkwort root (Polygala tenuifolia), is a warm, acrid and bitter Chinese herb from the Calm shen category. It enters the Heart, Kidney and Lung channels. Its main action: calms Shen, opens orifices — Heart-Kidney non-communication.
| Pinyin | Yuǎn Zhì (Yuan Zhi) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 远志 |
| English | Thinleaf milkwort root |
| Botanical name | Polygala tenuifolia |
| Category | Calm shen |
| Nature | Warm |
| Flavour | Acrid, Bitter |
| Channels | Heart, Kidney, Lung |
| Dosage | 3–9g |
| Cautions | Gastric ulcers (can irritate); Yin deficiency without Phlegm |
Actions
- Calms Shen, opens orifices — Heart-Kidney non-communication
- Transforms Phlegm, stops cough
- Reduces abscesses
Indications
- Anxiety, insomnia, palpitations, forgetfulness from Heart-Kidney disharmony with Phlegm
- Phlegm blocking orifices
How to remember Yuǎn Zhì
Calm shen herbs are mostly sweet, and most enter the Heart, Liver and Kidney channels.
- You can work these out
- Heart and Kidney channels: from its action “opens orifices — Heart-Kidney non-communication”
- Lung channel: from its action “Transforms Phlegm”
- Learn by heart
- Warm: Calm shen herbs vary in nature
- Acrid: unusual for Calm shen herbs (most are sweet)
- Bitter: unusual for Calm shen herbs (most are sweet)
Formulas containing Yuǎn Zhì
Other Calm shen herbs
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Yuǎn Zhì?
Yuǎn Zhì is warm and acrid and bitter.
Which channels does Yuǎn Zhì enter?
Yuǎn Zhì enters the Heart, Kidney and Lung channels.
What are the actions of Yuǎn Zhì?
Calms Shen, opens orifices — Heart-Kidney non-communication; Transforms Phlegm, stops cough; Reduces abscesses.
What is Yuǎn Zhì used for?
Anxiety, insomnia, palpitations, forgetfulness from Heart-Kidney disharmony with Phlegm; phlegm blocking orifices.
Which formulas contain Yuǎn Zhì?
Guī Pí Tāng, Tiān Wáng Bǔ Xīn Dān, Rén Shēn Yǎng Yíng Tāng, Yǎng Xīn Tāng and Ān Shén Dìng Zhì Wán.
Practise Yuǎn Zhì and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.