Polygala Amara L
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
Polygala Amara L is a small perennial plant of the Polygalaceae family, containing mucilage, bitter substance (polygalamarin), fatty oil, and essential oil. Previously used as a bitter and expectorant, it is now unofficial and suggested as a substitute for imported Senega.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
POLYGALA AMARA L Polygala amara L., bitter polygala, a small (about 15 cm) perennial herbaceous plant of the Polygalaceae family, found in several varieties and distributed almost everywhere. - Constituent principles in the plant: mucilage, bitter substance (polygalamarin), fatty oil (about 1.5%), essential oil (traces) and others. In former times, the entire dried and flowering plant (Herba Polygalae amarae cum radice), collected from dry and elevated places, was used for medicinal purposes (as a bitter and expectorant); a decoction (1:10) was prescribed. At present, the plant is not official; it is offered as a substitute for the imported related Senega (Polygala senega L.).
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Cite this page
“Polygala Amara L.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/polygala-amara-l/