White peony root (Baishao)
Paeonia lactiflora Pall. (Fam. Ranunculaceae)
Pharmaceutical Name: Radix Paeoniae
alba
Botanical
Name: Paeonia lactiflora Pall. (Fam. Ranunculaceae)
Common Name: White peony root.
Source of Earliest Record: Shennong
Bencao Jing.
Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical
Preparations: The white peony roots are dug in summer. The fibrous roots
are cleaned and their bark is removed. The roots are then soaked in hot boiled
water and dried in the sun. They are soaked again before being cut into slices.
Properties & Taste: Bitter, sour
and slightly cold.
Meridians: Liver and spleen.
Functions: 1. To nourish blood and
consolidate the yin; 2. To pacify the liver and stop pain; 3. To soothe liver
yang.
Indications & Combinations:
1. Deficiency of blood manifested as
irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea and uterine bleeding. White peony root
(Baishao) is used with Prepared rehmannia root (Shudihuang), Chinese angelica
root (Danggui) and Chuanxiong rhizome (Chuanxiong) in the formula Siwu Tang.
2. Deficient blood and yin leading to the
yang floating to the surface manifested as night sweating and spontaneous
sweating. White peony root (Baishao) is used with Oyster shell (Muli), Dragon's
bone (Longgu) and Light wheat (Fuxiaomai).
3. Weakness of the body due to invasion by
exogenous pathogenic wind and cold manifested as spontaneous sweating and
aversion to wind. White peony root (Baishao) is used with Cinnamon twigs
(Guizhi) in the formula Guizhi Tang.
4. Liver qi stagnation manifested as
hypochondriac pain, breast distension and irregular menstruation. White
peony root (Baishao) is used with Bupleurum root (Chaihu) and Chinese angelica
root (Danggui) in the formula Xiaoyao San.
5. Muscle spasms and pain of hands and feet
or abdominal pain. White peony root (Baishao) is used with Licorice root
(Gancao).
6. Abdominal pain and tenesmus in dysentery.
White peony root (Baishao) is used with Costus root (Muxiang), Coptis root
(Huanglian) and Bitter orange (Zhiqiao).
7. Headache and dizziness caused by
hyperactivity of liver yang. White peony root (Baishao) is used with Uncaria
stem (Gouteng), Cyathula root (Niuxi) and Chrysanthemum flower (Juhua).
Dosage: 5-10 g or 15–30 g, for a large
dosage, decocted in water, and taken internally.
Cautions & Contraindications: This herb should not be used
alone in patients with Yang exhaustion with Cold manifestations of the Deficiency type. It
is incompatible with Radix et Rhizoma Veratri (Li Lu).
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