Peony (Paeonia lactiflora)
Synopsis
Peony refers to species within the Paeonia genus, with Paeonia lactiflora (white peony) and Paeonia suffruticosa (tree peony) being the most commonly used in herbal medicine, particularly in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The root of the peony plant, especially from P. lactiflora, is used medicinally and is known as Bai Shao (white peony root) or Chi Shao (red peony root) depending on how it is prepared. It is revered for its ability to nourish the blood, regulate menstruation, relieve pain, and calm the liver.
Peony root contains a variety of bioactive compounds, including paeoniflorin, tannins, flavonoids, and monoterpene glycosides, which contribute to its anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, analgesic, hepatoprotective, and immunomodulating effects. It is widely used to treat menstrual irregularities, dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps), muscle spasms, liver qi stagnation, and autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Peony is often included in classical TCM formulas like Shaoyao Gancao Tang (Peony and Licorice Decoction) to relieve muscle cramps and abdominal pain, and in Xiao Yao San to support emotional balance and hormonal health. It is commonly combined with licorice, angelica, or bupleurum to harmonize the body and reduce side effects from other herbs.
Modern research confirms that paeoniflorin has notable anti-inflammatory, sedative, and neuroprotective effects, and may help modulate estrogen and immune function, contributing to peony’s growing popularity in Western herbalism for women’s health, mood stabilization, and inflammatory conditions.
Historical Use in Medicine
Peony has been used for over 2,000 years in Chinese, Korean, and Japanese medicine. In TCM, white peony root is considered cooling and nourishing, used to enrich the blood, preserve yin, and soften the liver, while red peony root is more moving and dispersing, used to clear heat and invigorate blood circulation. This duality makes peony a versatile herb in both tonic and detoxifying formulas.
In ancient Greece, peony was named after Paeon, the physician of the gods, and was used by Hippocrates and Dioscorides to treat epilepsy, convulsions, and female reproductive issues. Seeds and root preparations were given for uterine cramps, headaches, and night terrors. In European folk medicine, peony root and flowers were thought to ward off evil spirits and were sometimes worn as amulets or hung in homes.
In Unani and Islamic medicine, peony was also recognized for its use in neurological conditions, seizures, and pain, often paired with cooling and sedating herbs.
Uses: Health Conditions
Abdominal Pain (Traditional)
Anemia (Traditional)
Anxiety (Traditional)
Arthritis (Scientific)
Asthma (Traditional)
Backache (Traditional)
Bleeding (external) (Traditional)
Bruises (healing) (Traditional)
Burns and Scalds (Traditional)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects) (Traditional)
Chills (Traditional)
Cholera (Traditional)
Cholesterol (high) (Neither)
Circulation (poor) (Traditional)
Cold Sores (Traditional)
Colds (general) (Traditional)
Colds (prevention) (Traditional)
Constipation (adults) (Traditional)
Cuts (Neither)
Depression (Traditional)
Diabetes (Traditional)
Dysmenorrhea (Scientific)
Dyspepsia (Traditional)
Ear Infection or Earache (Neither)
Eczema (Traditional)
Edema (Neither)
Emotional Sensitivity (Traditional)
Endometriosis (Traditional)
Epilepsy (Traditional)
Fatigue (Traditional)
Fever (Traditional)
Fibromyalgia Syndrome (Traditional)
Gall Bladder (sluggish or removed) (Traditional)
Gastritis (Traditional)
Gingivitis (Traditional)
Glands (swollen lymph) (Traditional)
Grief and Sadness (Traditional)
Headache (general) (Traditional)
Headache (tension) (Traditional)
Heart (weakness) (Traditional)
Hemorrhoids (Traditional)
Hepatitis (Traditional)
Body Systems
Blood (Traditional)
Brain (Traditional)
Circulatory System (Traditional)
Digestive System (Traditional)
Female Reproductive System (Traditional)
Immune System (Traditional)
Joints (Traditional)
Liver (Traditional)
Nerves (Traditional)
Respiratory System (Traditional)
Spleen (Traditional)
Uterus (Traditional)
Ovaries (Traditional)