Peony (Paeonia spp.), particularly the root of Paeonia lactiflora, has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for calming the "spirit," nourishing the blood, and harmonizing emotional states. In TCM, emotional sensitivity—such as irritability, mood swings, or easy tearfulness—may be linked to imbalances in the liver and blood, for which peony root (often "Bai Shao") is a classic remedy. Peony is frequently included in formulas like Xiao Yao San (Free and Easy Wanderer), prescribed for emotional lability, premenstrual syndrome, and stress-related conditions. These uses are based on a holistic understanding of mind-body health rather than direct Western psychiatric concepts. Scientific evidence for peony's effects on emotional sensitivity is limited. Some animal and preliminary human studies suggest that peony extracts (often in combination with other herbs) may have anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) and antidepressant-like effects, possibly through modulation of neurotransmitters such as GABA and serotonin. However, these effects are not well established in rigorous clinical trials, and most available data focus on broader mood or anxiety symptoms rather than specifically on "emotional sensitivity." Thus, while tradition strongly supports peony for this use, scientific validation remains modest, and more research is needed to clarify its efficacy and mechanisms.