People mainly take Polygala Tenuifolia for focus, anxiety. Based on 14 first-hand reports and 5 meta-analyses & systematic reviews in the medical literature. Ranked #955 of 1,974 overall.
Of reports that state an outcome, 50% are positive.
Of the people who reported each effect, the share who said it got better.
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses from PubMed, with their published conclusions.
At least one meta-analysis, or 5+ randomized controlled trials. The grade measures how much human research exists — read the conclusions below for what it found.
Conclusion: We encountered Acoris gramineus rhizome (AGR), Panax ginseng, Polygala tenuifolia and Poria cocos as the four most frequently used herbs as single/herbal mixtures that were associated with positive cognitive enhancing outcomes. This review focuses on the evidence of their medicinal effects attributed to those constituents present in relatively high concentration.
PubMed 22303969 ↗Conclusion: However, the very low to low quality of available evidence limits confidence in the findings. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42023444156.
PubMed 38283842 ↗Conclusion: Of the 110 different natural products identified, those most frequently cited for forgetfulness were yuan zhi (Polygala tenuifolia), fu shen (Poria cocos), and chang pu (Acorus spp.), all of which have been cited repeatedly over the past 1800 years and appear among the 31 herbs indexed in a modern pharmacopoeia. By providing a complete, hierarchically organized list of herbs for a specific disorder, this approach can assist researchers in selecting herbs for research.
PubMed 23433049 ↗Conclusion: Although current data suggests CHM is generally safe, caution is advised due to the lack of AE reporting or detailed information in some instances. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=400292, identifier [CRD42023400292].
PubMed 38425647 ↗As stated by users — not a recommendation. Follow the label or your doctor.
How often each side effect came up across all reports.
Verbatim quotes, shortened only — each links to the original discussion.
“I've also heard CDP choline and polygala tenuifolia as possible solutions as well.”
“Polygala tenuifolia has been on my radar since around 2014.”
“They were both safely combined with Polygala Tenuifolia in my experience”
“I recommend polygala tenuifolia. That and oxiracetam have given me the greatest benefit.”
“Polygala Tenuifolia+Agmatine Sulfate+Black Seed Oil+DLPA(with p5p+c)”
User data from public discussions; research from PubMed. Information only, not medical advice — talk to a doctor before starting, stopping or combining anything. Data updated October 2, 2026. How we rate