Polygala

(Polygala amara L. = P. amarella Crantz, Polygalaceae)

Also Called: Milkwort.

Description: Small light-green perennial plant 5-20cm (2-8in) high with taproot.
Flowering stem unbranched, arising from a basal rosette of small oval leaves (other Polygala species do not have a basal rosette of leaves).
Stem leaves in the lower part are alternate, small and elliptical; inflorescence elongated, lateral; flowers small, up to 6mm (0-2in), pale or dark-blue, rarely pink or white, superficially papilionaceous in form.
Flowering: May­August.
Taste: slightly bitter.

Part Used: Dried flowering plant; rarely also the roots.

Habitat and Collection: In moist environments (pastures, edges of and clearings in forests, roadsides); at times also in drier places.
Native but rare in Britain on chalk and limestone pastures.
Collected when in flower and dried either in the shade or in sunlight.

Constituents and Action: Saponins, a bitter principle; used in bronchitis; a mild laxative and diuretic.
Its supposed influence on lactation is doubtful.

Usage: As a decoction (0.5 litre (1 pt) of cold water on 1 table­spoonful of finely chopped drug, boil for 10 minutes and allow to stand).
Chiefly for bronchitis; rarely as a depurative or for dropsy or to promote lactation in nursing mothers.
The last use is uncertain.
In place of polygala, the common milkwort (P. vulgaris L.) is often used; it is much more common in Britain, in grassland, on heaths, dunes, etc., and possesses similar properties, but does not contain a bitter principle and has no tonic properties.