Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Chinese peony (Paeonia lactiflora), particularly its root (known as "Bai Shao"), is a well-established medicinal herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Historically, it has been used in complex herbal formulas to "nourish blood," "soften the liver," and manage various bleeding disorders, including external bleeding such as wounds and minor cuts. TCM texts, such as the "Shennong Bencao Jing" and subsequent materia medica, reference its role in stabilizing and restraining bleeding, often in combination with other hemostatic herbs. The traditional rationale for its use is grounded in its purported ability to harmonize blood flow and reduce "heat in the blood," which TCM practitioners believe can lead to bleeding.

However, scientific evidence supporting Chinese peony's direct hemostatic effects for external bleeding is limited. Most pharmacological studies have focused on its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and immunomodulatory properties rather than hemostasis. While some compounds in peony may affect blood clotting or vasoconstriction in laboratory settings, robust clinical studies validating its efficacy for treating external bleeding are lacking. Therefore, its use for this purpose remains primarily traditional, with a moderate level of historical evidence but minimal scientific validation.

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