Chinese Seneca Milkwort

Polygala tenuifolia. An herbal root native to North America, from Newfouldland to Alberta Canada and from New England to Georgia and Arkansas and west to Dakota. A "Milkwort". Green-purple erect stems, leaves the look of a bay leaf. Roots area a short rhizome and a long sparingly branched primary root that is less than 1cm in diameter. The root and rhizomes are the parts used. They are collected in September and dried for use in decoctions, extracts, powders, and tinctures. Senega root has a distinctive odor due to the content of methyl salicylate. Senega got it's American common name "Rattlesnake Root" as the North American Indians, The Senecas, used it as a remedy for rattlesnakes bites. The Senecas chewed the woody root into a wet mass and applied it directly on the snake bite. In modern medicine it is used as a expectorant remedy for chronic bronchitis, asthma, and whooping cough. The herb stimulates secretion of saliva and sweat.
Roots in the listed uses are excellent for coughs, particularly when there is excess phlegm, and for bronchitis and asthma. In Chinese medicine, it calms the spirit and opens the flow of "chi" in the heart, which in western terms may be related to its sedative and tranquilizing properties. Used for anxiety, palpitations, poor memory, and depression, especially in cases of excessive brroding and pent-up emotions. Full sun, well drained. Grows to 10"high. Very hardy to zone2! "Yuan zhi", "Siberian Milkwort"