Polygala Amarella (Dwarf Milkwort) – Medicinal Uses:
Polygala Amarella is part of the family Polygalaceae, and it is a small herb of a maximum of 20 cm, with flowers that can be white, purple or blue, but mostly blue.
This medicinal plant grows in forests, meadows, and grasslands, in the alpine and subalpine areas. The plant prefers wet, calcareous, and rocky soil. It is also found on roadsides and fallow lands.
The rhizome is short, and the aerial part of this plant is in the form of a bush. It blooms in late spring and almost all summer. Its fruit is a capsule.
The aerial part of the plant and its roots are used for therapeutic purposes. It contains saponins, mucilage, essential oil, tannins, glycosides, also other substances that give its bitter taste.
This plant has tonic, diaphoretic, expectorant, and fluidizing properties. Dwarf Milkwort has beneficial effects in the treatment of respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, pulmonary tuberculosis, whooping cough, and bronchitis.
It contributes to better functioning of the stomach and nervous system, and helps treat gout, anemia, flu, diarrhea, asthma, rheumatism, gastritis, and convalescence. Also, this plant favors the stimulation of gastric and hepatic secretion.
Polygala Amarella (Dwarf Milkwort) – Internal Uses
Bronchitis
For treating the following conditions: bronchitis, cough of various etiologies, asthma, and rheumatism, with expectorant, emollient, and diuretic properties. Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water (200ml) over 1 teaspoon of shredded, dried herb. Leave it covered for 15-20 minutes and then decant. Drink it in 5-6 innings a day.
Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
To mitigate bouts of whooping cough: Use 2 tablespoons of powder, or dry herb, in a cup of water (200ml). Boil for 1-2 minutes. Leave it covered for 15-20 minutes and then decant. Drink one teaspoon at a time when needed.
Tracheobronchitis
For treating acute tracheobronchitis: decoction of 2 g herb per cup of water (250ml). Boil for 3-5 minutes. Leave it covered for 15 minutes and then decant. Sweeten with honey. Drink 2 cups a day.
Cough
To mitigate a cough, calm states of nervousness, and stimulate digestion by excitation of gastrointestinal glands: tonic wine, prepared from 90g of the dried and shredded root in half a liter of wine. Boil for 10 minutes. Allow it to cool for 1-2 hours and then decant. Drink one teaspoon several times a day.
External Uses
In cases of chickenpox – in the form of local wash-out.
Recommendations
Doses should be respected. Excessive consumption of this plant causes irritations of the digestive tract and has powerful purgative effects. It is contraindicated in cases of digestive tract lesions.
These herb preparations are not recommended for pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers.
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References http://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/15123/1/680816.pdf https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/003466679500019T