White Peony Root
Paeonia lactiflora
白芍
Pinyin: Bái Sháo
Plant Family
Paeoniaceae
Part Used
Root
Origin
Anhui, Zhejiang, Sichuan, China
Safety Level
Safe
Overview
White peony root is one of the most important tonic herbs in Chinese medicine for women. It is widely used to nourish the blood, regulate menstruation, and calm the liver. White peony has a mild, harmonizing effect and is often combined with other herbs in classic formulas.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Properties
Nature (四气)
slightly cold
Flavors (五味)
bitter, sour, sweet
Meridians (归经)
liver, spleen
Health Benefits
Traditional Uses
- Nourish blood and regulate menstruation
- Calm liver yang and ease pain
- Astringe yin and stop sweating
- Abdominal pain and muscle spasms
- Headache and dizziness from liver yang rising
- Irregular menstruation and dysmenorrhea
Active Constituents
The key compounds responsible for this herb's therapeutic effects:
Usage & Dosage
How to Use
Decoction, powder, tincture, extract, essential oil (topical). Often used in combination formulas.
Suggested Dosage
6–15 g daily as dried root decoction; 1–3 g as powder; 2–4 mL tincture 3x/day; standardized extract: follow product label.
Quality & Storage
Harvest Season
Summer or autumn, from plants 3–4 years old. Roots are dug, cleaned, boiled briefly, peeled, and dried.
Quality Indicators
Solid, heavy, cylindrical root with pinkish-white interior. Should be dense and starchy with a slightly sweet, slightly bitter taste. White peony (Bai Shao) is peeled; red peony (Chi Shao) is unpeeled and has different properties.
Storage
Airtight container in cool dry place; protects from moisture and insects. Good for 2–3 years.
Safety Information
Contraindications
Pregnancy (use with caution, especially in first trimester - consult practitioner)Breastfeeding (insufficient data)Cold/damp constitution with diarrhea (may worsen)Large doses in those with yang deficiency
Possible Side Effects
- Generally very safe when used appropriately
- Rare: mild digestive upset
- Allergic reaction (rare)
Drug Interactions
- Blood thinners/anticoagulants (mild additive effect)
- Anticonvulsants (may enhance)
- Sedatives (mild enhancement)
- Generally low interaction potential
Note: Always consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before starting any herbal supplement, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, have medical conditions, or take medications.
References & Research
Information on this page is based on traditional herbal knowledge and modern scientific research. For a comprehensive list of references, please refer to our full citations page.
ℹ️ Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The FDA has not evaluated these statements. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using herbal supplements.
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