Which regions are the main production areas of Polygala tenuifolia?
Polygala tenuifolia is also known as Yaorao, Jiyuan, Jiyuan, Xiaocao, Xicao, Xian'ercha, Xiaocaogen, Shenshacao, and other names. Its root can be used as medicine and has the effects of calming the mind and boosting intelligence, eliminating phlegm, and reducing swelling. It is used for insomnia and frequent dreaming, forgetfulness and palpitations, mental vagueness, difficult expectoration, sores and swellings, and breast swelling and pain caused by disharmony between the heart and kidney. Now let us take a look at the production area distribution of Polygala tenuifolia!
Production area distribution of Polygala tenuifolia
The production areas of Polygala tenuifolia are mainly distributed in Hebei, Henan, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Shaanxi, and other places, with a small amount also distributed in Shandong, Liaoning, Jilin, Ningxia, Gansu, Anhui, Jiangsu, Qinghai, Sichuan, Yunnan, Hubei, and Hunan.
Production environment of Polygala tenuifolia
Polygala tenuifolia prefers a cool climate, is tolerant of drought, and avoids high temperatures. It mostly grows wild in relatively dry fields, roadsides, hillsides, and other places. It is best cultivated in sunny, well-drained sandy soil, followed by clay loam and calcareous loam. Clay soil and low-lying wet areas are not suitable for planting. It grows slowly in nature, and wild resources have sharply decreased. It has been included in the list of third-level protected species in the Regulations on the Protection and Management of Wild Medicinal Material Resources.
Variety classification of Polygala tenuifolia
1. Yuanzhi tube: Yuanzhi tube is tube-shaped, hollow, twisted and not straight, 3-12 cm long, 0.3-1 cm in diameter. Its surface is gray or grayish yellow, with dense and deeply sunken transverse wrinkles throughout, and some have fine longitudinal stripes and small wart-like root scars. It is brittle and easy to break, with a yellowish-white and relatively flat cross-section, a slight grassy smell, a bitter and slightly pungent taste, and a stinging sensation in the throat.
2. Yuanzhi flesh: Yuanzhi flesh is mostly broken, thin, with fewer transverse wrinkles.
3. Yuanzhi stick: Yuanzhi stick is also known as Yuanzhi stem, Yuanzhi bone, and other names. It is small, with a relatively hard light yellow woody center.