Evidence supporting the use of: Peony
For the health condition: Anemia
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Peony (Paeonia lactiflora), particularly its root, has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for centuries as part of herbal formulas intended to "nourish the blood" and support individuals with symptoms associated with anemia, such as pallor, fatigue, and dizziness. The most common preparation is "Bai Shao" or White Peony Root. In TCM, peony is seldom used alone but is a core component in well-known formulas such as Si Wu Tang ("Four Substances Decoction"), which also contains Dang Gui, Shu Di Huang, and Chuan Xiong. Si Wu Tang is prescribed to women for menstrual irregularities, postpartum recovery, and to improve general vitality, all of which are often connected to blood deficiency—a concept roughly analogous to anemia in Western medicine.
Scientific research directly supporting peony's efficacy for anemia is limited. Some animal studies suggest peony root extracts may stimulate hematopoiesis (blood cell production) or possess immunomodulatory effects, but robust clinical trials in humans are lacking. The mechanisms proposed include anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and circulatory benefits due to compounds such as paeoniflorin. However, these findings are preliminary and do not conclusively demonstrate that peony alone can treat anemia. Most of the existing support for its use comes from its longstanding traditional application rather than from high-quality scientific validation.
In summary, while peony is historically and commonly used in traditional medicine systems for symptoms related to anemia, scientific evidence remains limited and more research is needed to confirm its efficacy.
Other ingredients used for Anemia
alfalfaamino acids
anchovies
apple
ashwagandha
astragalus
beet
black cumin
sesame
blackberry
bovine
bovine liver
bovine spleen
broccoli
brussel sprouts
caterpillar mushroom
catjang cowpea
chlorella
coconut milk
collard
cordyceps
dog rose
dong quai root
fish protein
folate
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
fu ling
ginger
ginseng
gooseberry
greens blend (proprietary)
hibiscus
Indian tinospora
iron
jujube
kale
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
lactoferrin
lemon
lentinula edodes mycelia
licorice root
liquid liver fractions
maca
mackerel
moringa
nettle
oat
orange
oyster mushroom
parsley
plantain
plum fruit
pollen
pomegranate
pomelo
protein
pumpkin
pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P)
quail egg
quinoa
redcurrant
rehmannia glutinosa
reishi mushroom
rhizome
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
sardines
shiitake mushroom
soybean
spinach
spirulina
tomato
triphala
vitamin A
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
seaweed
watercress
wheat grass
mulberry
yeast
zinc
suma
tangerine
shen-chu
mugwort
nut grass
punarnava
tinospora cordifolia
blackboard tree
caesalpinia crista
rubia cordifolia
bee pollen
peony
lingzhi
morus
root tuber
cistanche
dodder
ganoderma
hyacinth bean
lotus seed
morinda
trichosanthes
dulse leaf
royal jelly
trace minerals
purslane
fulvic acid
aster root
shepherd's purse
wheat germ
biota seed
goji berry
paw paw
amaranth
millet seed
herbal blend (proprietary)
algae
kidney beans
chickpea protein
17beta-[{1-Ketoethyl}-androsta-1, 4-diene-3-one,17a-ol]
17a-di methyl-bol
5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
Animal Tissue
Ardisia
Angelica
Achyranthes
Auricularia
Abrus
Alchornea
Autumn Olive
Ajuga
Aerva lanata
Astragaloside
Adzuki bean
Agrimonia pilosa
Asteracea
Algal protein
Abalone
Allium tuberosum
Animal protein
Bermuda Grass
Bidens pilosa
Breadnut
Blepharis
Beef Protein
Butea monosperma
Beef
Beef liver
Buffalo
Bok Choy
Bone Marrow
Bovine Protein
Bael
Bean
Butternut
berry
Black Gram
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Broad Bean
Bee products
Black Nightshade
Bombax
Borassus Palm
Borassus aethiopum
Blue-Green Alage
banana
Baobab
Buckwheat
Boerhavia diffusa
Bird's nest
Cumin
Cowpea
Codonopsis
Cynomorium
Capillary Artemisia
Cyathula
Cashew
Citrus
Cereal grass
Chlorophytum
Chard
Chicken
Curcuma
C-Phycocyanin
Canihua
Cuttlefish
Chestnut
Cytokines
Cassava
Celosia
Currant
Duodenum
Deer Root
Dehydroascorbic acid
Dragon Fruit
Dong Quai
Dolichos
Date
Dulse
Eupolyphaga sinensis
Empresstree
Egg
Eclipta
European-Five Finger Grass
Embelia
Fig
Folinic Acid
Folic Acid
Fruit
Ferritin
Fo-Ti
Fish
Ferric Ammonium Citrate
Fagopyrum
Foxtail millet
Ferric citrate
Ferric orthophosphate
Ginsenosides
Garden Cress
Garbanzo bean
Little ironweed
Molasses
Metal Salt
Shellfish
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by peony
Abdominal PainAnemia
Anxiety
Arthritis
Asthma
Backache
Bleeding (external)
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Chills
Cholera
Circulation (poor)
Cold Sores
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Constipation (adults)
Depression
Diabetes
Dysmenorrhea
Dyspepsia
Eczema
Emotional Sensitivity
Endometriosis
Epilepsy
Fatigue
Fever
Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Gall Bladder (sluggish or removed)
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Glands (swollen lymph)
Grief and Sadness
Headache (general)
Headache (tension)
Heart (weakness)
Hemorrhoids
Hepatitis