Abstract: Polygala japonica Houtt. is a common herbal medicine in Miao people. In recent years, the pharmacological research of Polygala japonica in the nervous system has made positive progress, and it has been found that Polygala japonica has a wide range of pharmacological effects, such as improve learning and memory, reduce cognitive impairment, inhibition of neuroinflammation, inhibition of neuronal apoptosis, anti-depressant, and anti-oxidation. Therefore, this paper reviews the role and mechanism of Polygala japonica in nervous system diseases, in order to provide a theoretical basis for the development of Polygala japonica to prevent and treat nervous system diseases.