20x Polygala tenuifolia (Yuan Zhi) extract powder
One of the most praised nootropics, and also the most affordable: 100mg is an effective dose, for 10 cents. Note that it's not advised to combine with MAOi (harmalas, rue, caapi, ayahuasca).
Here's a bit of plagiarism from the NootropicsDepot page (and in exchange, I'm advertising them, especially since they have lots of great reviews you can read):
What is Polygala tenuifolia?
Polygala tenuifolia is a perennial purple flowering plant that grows in semi shade or no shade environments and has a tendency to grow in moist soil. Polygala tenuifolia is native to Asia and can be found in grasslands, mountain slopes, prairies, and shrub forests. Polygala tenuifolia root has widespread use in Traditional Chinese practices and is traditionally referred to as Yuan Zhi or Chinese Senega and is believed to promote cognitive function when ingested orally. Anecdotally, people report that the calming and stimulating effects of Yuan Zhi help promote focus without feeling overstimulated or experiencing jitters like large amounts of caffeine. Modern research has found that Yuan Zhi’s adaptogen-like properties may promote healthy stress levels and optimize cognitive function but more research is needed to solidify these findings.
Polygala Yuan Zhi Benefits and Uses
- May help promote cognitive function
- May help support feelings of well being
- May help promote healthy stress levels
- May help support respiratory health
- May help promote neuroplasticity
- May help support sleep quality
Polygala and The Brain
Polygala tenuifolia is quite unique since unlike most plant extracts which have only one or two primary effects, Polygala has a very wide range of effects. Most Polygala users report feeling a calming yet stimulating sensation when taking a Polygala supplement. This is interesting since this type of feeling is typically only achievable with a combination of supplements, such as a simple stack of caffeine and l theanine. Although it is quite stimulating, Polygala tenuifolia may also help promote sleep quality. Typically, the calming effects of Polygala seem to outlast the stimulating effects. The sleep promoting effects are believed to be associated with its tenuifolin content, a bioactive compound found in Polygala tenuifolia root extracts. Human trials also suggest that Polygala tenuifolia may help promote spatial awareness and organization.
Some findings show that Polygala tenuifolia may help support neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is the process by which our brains can change, adapt and grow, which is an important process for many cognitive functions as they are dependant on adequate levels of neuroplasticity. This is relevant to memory and memories, as these are believed to be stored by neuron connections that are physically changing. These changes are dependant on neuroplasticity. Two of the biggest regulators for neuroplasticity are nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Studies have found that with an increase in either of these regulators, neuroplasticity can be notably boosted. Polygala tenuifolia is believed to increases both levels of BDNF and NGF. By increasing BDNF and NGF levels, Polygala tenuifolia may help promote overall brain health as well as cognitive function.
Polygala Tenuifolia Dosage
As a dietary supplement, take 100mg of Polygala tenuifolia Extract one to three times daily