Peony root

Paeonia albiflora Pall. . edulis Salisb. P japonica (Makino) Miyabe. et Takeda P. lactiflora Pall. P. lactiflora Pall. var. trichocarpa (Bunge.) Stem P. moutan Sims. P officinalis L. Bai Shao, Shao Yao (Peony, tree peony) (root) Benzoic acid, paeoniflorin, oxypaeoniflorin, albiflorin, benzoyl paeoniflorin, acetylsalicylic acid His,226,510 Carminative, antispasmodic, analgesic, sedative. 

Paeonia obovata Maxim. P. mourian Sim. P. suffruticosa Anders. P. veitchii Lynch. Mu Dan Pi (Tree peony) (root bark) Paeonol, paeonoside, paeonin, pelargonin, paeonolide, astragalin (paeoniflorin contained in P. mourian).1-2 33 Sedative, antipyretic, analgesic actions. 

There apparently is a renewed intraest in folk medicine by Russian scientists. As a particular example, peony root (genus Paeonia) is used successfully as an anticancer agent at many major hospitals in Russia. 

Crude extracts from peony root, licorice root, Atractylodes lance a rhizome, and aconite root are traditionally prescribed in medicine clinically to relieve muscle pain and to cure tremors in neuromyopathy. Different kampo preparations include crude extracts from (1) peony and licorice roots (Shakuyaku-kanzo-to), (2) peony, licorice, and aconite roots (Shaku-kan-bushi-to), (3) peony, licorice, ginger roots, cassia cortex, and jujube fruit (Keishi-to), and (4) peony, licorice, aconite, ginger root, Atractylodes lancea rhizome, cassia cortex, and jujube fruit (Keishi-ka-jutubu-to). The main bioactive compounds derived from peony root, licorice root. 

Peony roots contain monoterpenes, paeoniflorin (PF), albiflorin, paeoni-florigenone [2], oxypaeoniflorin, benzoylpaeoniflorin, and monoterpenoids, paeonilactone-A, -B and -C [3]. The related compounds paeonol and benzoyloxypaeoniflorin are mainly contained in Moutan cortex. Paeoniflorigenone alone is a depolarizing neuromuscular blocker in frog and mouse [4]. Although paeoniflorin alone weakly induces... 

Peony root extract (Paeoniflorin) used in traditional Chinese herbal preparations to treat dementia. oral preparation significantly improved spatial learning deficits in basal forebrain-lesioned rats. neuropharmacological mechanism unclear, but may be independent of cholinergic dysfunction and related to stimulated adrenergic activity. 

Tanaka, S., A. Takahashi, and K. Onoda. 1983. [Toxicological studies on biological effects of the herbal drug extracts in rats and mice— peony root, peach kernel, Japanese angelica root and Cnidium rhizome]. Yakugaku Zasshi 103(9) 937-955. 

OCN red peony root (root with bark) white (root without bark)... 

Peony yields three commonly used herbs (see individual entries) peony bsarldmudanpi) and peony root, red and white (chishaoyao and baishaoyao). 

Peony root, red and white (shaoyao chishaoyao and baishaoyao)... 

PEONY ROOT, RED AND WHITE SHAOYAO CHISHAOYAO AND BAISHAOYAO)... 

Red peony root is collected from wild plants of P. lactiflora P. obvata Maxim, and P. veitchii Lynch are also used) in spring and autumn (autumn is preferred as better grades are obtained), rid of rhizomes and rootlets, washed free of dirt, and sun dried or dried in the shade no cooking is involved. Inner Mongolia produces the best grade that is thick and long, fracture white, and starchy. 

The glycosides (especially paeoniflorin) of peony root (red and white) are responsible for many of their biological activities, which include antibacterial, antifungal, and... 

Acute toxicities of peony root and paeoni-florin are low LD50 (p.o.) of white peony root in rats was 81 g/kg LD50 (i.v.), and LD50 (i.p.) of paeoniflorin in mice were 3530 mg/kg and 9530mg/kg, respectively (hu). 

Aqueous and hydroalcohoUc extracts of both red and white peony roots are used in skin care products for their antimicrobial (acne creams, etc.), anti-inflammatory, and astringent properties used with Dahurian angelica (see that entry) in freckle-removal creams and lotions for their traditional ability to remove blood stasis and activate blood circulation also used as part of a n natural preservative system in cosmetic products due to its relatively high content of benzoic acid (etic zhou). 

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