From the roots of Polygala tenuifolia, six new xanthones, 3-hydroxy-2,8-dimethoxyxanthone, 7-hydroxy-1,2,3-trimethoxyxanthone, 3-hydroxy-1,2,7-trimethoxyxanthone, 1,7-dimethoxy-2,3-methylenedioxyxanthone, 6,8-dihydroxy-1,2,4-trimethoxyxanthone, and 6,8-dihydroxy-1,2,3-trimethoxyxanthone, have been isolated along with seven known xanthones, 1,7-dihydroxyxanthone, 1,7-dimethoxyxanthone, 1-hydroxy-3,7-dimethoxyxanthone, 2,3,8-trimethoxyxanthone, 1,7-dihydroxy-2,3-dimethoxyxanthone, 1,6-dihydroxy-3,7-dimethoxyxanthone and 1,3,6,7-tetramethoxyxanthone.Their structures havebeen elucidated by chemical and spectroscopic evidence. Key Word Index: Polygala tenuifolia; Polygalaceae; xanthones; 3-hydroxy-2,8-dimethoxyxanthone; 7-hydroxy-1,2,3-trimethoxyxanthone; 3-hydroxy-1,2,7-trimethoxyxanthone; 1,7-dimethoxy-2,3-methylenedioxyxanthone; 6,8-dihydroxy-1,2,4-trimethoxyxanthone; 6,8-dihydroxy-1,2,3-trimethoxyxanthone.