White Peony Root

Scientific Names

White Peony

Paeonia lactiflora Pall
Radix Paeoniae Alba
Radix Paeoniae Lactiflorae

Common Names

White Peony Root

Bai Shao

Bai Shao Yao

Chinese Peony

Garden Peony

White Peony

Parts Usually Used

white peony root

The dried root without bark. It is typically dug in summer or autumn from cultivated plants that are 4-5 years old, cleaned, boiled in water, then sun-dried and sliced.
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Description of Plant(s) and Culture

Paeonia lactiflora is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant in the family Paeoniaceae with fleshy roots and annual stems. It grows to about 60-100 cm tall with large compound leaves 20-40 cm long. The flower buds are large and round, opening into large flowers 8-16 cm in diameter, with 5-10 white, pink, or crimson petals and yellow stamens. The plant is native to east Asia and grows on dry open stony slopes, riverbanks, and sparse woodland edges.

For medicinal use, the roots are dug up, cleaned, and the bark and rootlets are removed. The peeled root is boiled in water for a short while and then dried in the sun. The resulting white root is known as White Peony Root (Bai Shao), as opposed to the unpeeled Red Peony Root (Chi Shao), which has different medicinal properties.
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Where Found

White peony is native to eastern Asia, including China, Mongolia, and Siberia. It is widely cultivated throughout China, with major production provinces being Zhejiang, Anhui, and Sichuan. Others include Shandong, Guizhou, Hunan, Hubei, Gansu, Shanxi, and Henan. The product from Zhejiang is regarded as the best quality, while Anhui province is the most productive.
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Medicinal Properties

White peony root possesses numerous therapeutic effects:

Blood-tonifying (builds and nourishes blood)
Liver-regulating (softens the liver, subdues liver yang)
Yin-preserving (restrains the yin, prevents leakage of fluids)
Analgesic (relieves pain)
Anti-spasmodic (relieves muscle spasms)
Anti-inflammatory
Immunomodulatory (regulates immune function)
Antioxidant
Estrogenic (contains phytoestrogens)
Anxiolytic (reduces anxiety)
Antidepressant
Hepatoprotective (liver protecting)
Vasodilatory (expands blood vessels)
Anti-thrombotic (prevents blood clots)
Anti-diabetic
Anti-tumor

Biochemical Information

White peony root contains numerous active compounds:

1. Monoterpene glycosides:
Paeoniflorin (most abundant, >90% of total glycosides)
Albiflorin
Oxypaeoniflorin
Benzoylpaeoniflorin
Oxybenzoylpaeoniflorin
Lactiflorin
Galloylpaeoniflorin
Paeoniflorigenone

2. Polyphenolic compounds:
Gallic acid
Catechin
Methyl gallate
Galloylglucoses

3. Other compounds:
Paeonol
Paeonin
Paeonolide
β-sitosterol
Volatile oils
Benzoic acid

Total Glucosides of Peony (TGP) is a water/ethanol extract of white peony root that contains more than 15 components, with paeoniflorin being the most abundant.
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Legends, Myths and Stories

White peony has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine, spanning more than 1,200 years. It was first mentioned in the Prescriptions for Fifty-two Ailments, which dates back to the Spring and Autumn Period (771-476 BC). The Treatise on Cold-Induced and Miscellaneous Diseases, written by Zhang Zhongjing at the end of the East Han dynasty (25-220 AD), mentions white peony extensively, though at that time there was no clear differentiation between white peony root and red peony root.

It wasn’t until the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127 AD) that physicians began to distinguish between the efficacy of white peony root versus red peony root. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368-1912 AD), the two were clearly described as separate medicines with different properties and uses.

White peony is considered a symbol of wealth, good fortune, and honor in Chinese culture. It is sometimes called the “king of flowers” and is associated with royalty, feminine beauty, and prosperity.
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Uses

White peony root is used for various medicinal purposes:

1. Gynecological conditions:
Blood deficiency causing irregular menstruation
Menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea)
Abnormal uterine bleeding
Menopausal symptoms
Hormone imbalances

2. Liver-related conditions:
Liver blood deficiency
Hyperactive liver yang (causing headaches, dizziness)
Liver qi stagnation (causing chest and flank pain)
Liver-wind disturbance (causing muscle spasms)

3. Musculoskeletal issues:
Muscle cramps and spasms
Muscle weakness and pain
Tendon and ligament weakness
Restless leg syndrome

4. Fluid balance issues:
Spontaneous sweating due to qi deficiency
Night sweating due to yin deficiency

5. Mental-emotional conditions:
Anxiety
Depression
Restlessness
Irritability

6. Autoimmune disorders:
Rheumatoid arthritis
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Sjögren’s syndrome
Psoriasis

7. Pain relief:
Abdominal pain
Chest pain
Headaches
Muscular pain

In traditional Chinese herbalism, white peony root is often combined with other herbs in formulas such as:

Four Substances Decoction (Si Wu Tang) – for blood deficiency
Free and Easy Wanderer (Xiao Yao San) – for liver qi stagnation and blood deficiency
Peony and Licorice Decoction (Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang) – for muscle cramps and pain

Formulas or Dosages

White peony root can be prepared and administered in various forms:

1. Decoction:
Standard dose: 6-15g per day
For severe cases: up to 30g per day
Typically 2 cups daily while actively treating, then maintenance dose of a few cups weekly

2. Powdered extract:
Follow manufacturer’s instructions, typically 1-3g daily

3. Tincture:
3-4 droppers 3 times daily for therapeutic effect
For acute scenarios (like muscle cramps): 1/2 oz of tincture in 4 oz of water

4. Total Glucosides of Peony (TGP) capsules:
Used in clinical trials for autoimmune conditions
Typical dose: 0.6-1.8g daily

For different therapeutic effects:

Raw form is typically used for restraining yin and calming the liver
Wine-processed form is used for smoothing the liver, alleviating pain, nourishing blood, and regulating menstruation

Nutrient Content

White peony root contains the following nutrients per 100g:

Paeoniflorin: ≥1.6%
Various vitamins and minerals including calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, and zinc
Amino acids
Polysaccharides
Flavonoids
Organic acids

How Sold

White peony root is commercially available in several forms:

Dried root slices or pieces for decoction
Powdered root
Powdered extracts
Tinctures
Capsules or tablets
Total Glucosides of Peony (TGP) capsules
As a component in traditional Chinese herbal formulas

Warning

While white peony root is generally considered safe when used appropriately, there are some precautions to consider:

May cause gastrointestinal disturbances in some people, mostly mild diarrhea
Not recommended during pregnancy unless prescribed by a qualified practitioner
May interact with certain medications, especially blood thinners due to its blood-activating properties
Should be used cautiously with sedatives or antidepressants due to potential additive effects
Traditionally considered incompatible with the herb Li Lu (Veratrum nigrum)
Those with digestive weakness should use with caution
As with any herbal medicine, consult a healthcare professional before use, especially if you have existing health conditions or are taking medications