Radix polygalae

The root of Polygala senega, rattlesnake root, is a drug that is used in herbal medicinal products for the treatment of catarrh of the upper respiratory tract, among other things.

HMPC: not processed, processing discontinued

ESCOP monograph: Catarrh of the upper respiratory tract, chronic bronchitis, productive cough

Commission E monograph: Catarrh of the upper respiratory tract

Empirical medicine: tracheitis, emphysema, expectorant.

Used in bronchial lozenges, cough syrup, chest tea.

In China also used for insomnia, forgetfulness, depression, cough, palpitations.

Polygalae radix contains saponins (6 to 10% - common aglycone = presenegine); the main saponin = senegine II and saponin tenuifolin; also polygalic acid, coumaric acid, salicylic acid, methysalicylate and oligosaccharides.

Senega root has a secretolytic and expectorant effect. The extract is also said to have antidepressant, neuroprotective, hypnotic-sedative, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antitumor, antioxidant, anti-aging and antiarrhythmic effects.

Polygalae radix is used according to commission E for the treatment of a catarrh of the upper airways. Further indications according to the ESCOP or WHO monograph are chronic bronchitis, productive cough or emphysema.

The daily dosage is 1.5 to 3.0 g of the drug, when using a fluid extract it is also 1.5 to 3.0 g, when using a tincture 2.5 to 7.5 g

Prolonged use of senega root may cause irritation of the gastrointestinal tract. Nausea, diarrhea, nausea.

There are no known contraindications.

There are no known interactions with other drugs.

1. Liu P et al. (2010) Potential antidepressant properties of Radix Polygalae (Yuan Zhi). Phytomedicine 17:794-799.
2. Shin IJ et al. (2014) Preclinical evidence of rapid-onset antidepressant-like effect in Radix Polygalae extract. PLoS One 9:e88617.
3. Zhang H et al. (2007) Effects of tenuifolin extracted from radix polygalae on learning and memory: a behavioral and biochemical study on aged and amnesic mice. Phytomedicine 15:587-594.
4. Zhao Z et al. (2013) Potential antiarrhythmic effect of methyl 3,4,5-trimethoxycinnamate, a bioactive substance from roots of polygalae radix: suppression of triggered activities in rabbit myocytes. Biol Pharm Bull 36:238-244.
5. Blaschek W (2015) Wichtl-Teedrogens and phytopharmaceuticals. 6th edition, Wissemschaftliche Verlagsgescellschaft Stuttgart pp. 512-513
6. Zhao X et al. (2020) A review of its traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, and pharmacokinetics. Fitoterapia;147:104759. doi: 10.1016/j.fitote.2020.104759. Epub 2020 Oct 15. PMID: 33069838.
7. Zhang L et al. (2023) Therapeutic potential of Polygala saponins in neurological diseases. Phytomedicine;108:154483. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2022.154483. Epub 2022 Sep 29. PMID: 36260972.