White Peony

Applications

Clinical Applications

1. For irregular menstruation, menorrhagia, and metrorrhagia: White peony root is often combined with Angelica sinensis, Ligusticum chuanxiong, and Rehmannia glutinosa to nourish blood and regulate menstruation, as in the Four Substances Decoction from the *Taiping Huimin Heji Jufang*. In cases of menorrhagia, hemostasis is the immediate priority; for example, in the *Jiyin Gangmu*, peony root is combined with lotus leaf to consolidate yin, clear the liver, cool the blood, and stop bleeding.Combining Paeonia with Platycladus leaf serves to consolidate the liver, cool the blood, and stop bleeding.

2. For external invasion by wind-cold, with superficial deficiency manifesting as spontaneous sweating and aversion to wind: White Peony Root nourishes yin and harmonizes the ying (nutritive) qi; when combined with Cinnamomum twig to release the muscles and induce sweating, they work together to harmonize the ying and wei (defensive) qi, as seen in the Cinnamomum Twig Decoction from the *Treatise on Cold Damage*.

3. For pain in the flanks, epigastric and abdominal pain, and cramping pain in the limbs caused by liver qi stagnation and blood deficiency: White Peony Root has the functions of soothing the liver, relieving spasms, and alleviating pain.To treat pain in the flanks, it is often combined with Angelica sinensis, Atractylodes macrocephala, and Bupleurum chinense, as in the Free and Easy Wanderer Decoction (Xiaoyao San); for postpartum abdominal pain accompanied by restlessness and fullness preventing sleep, it is combined with Zhi Shi, as in the Zhi Shi Shaoyao San from the *Essentials of the Golden Cabinet*;for treating women’s dysmenorrhea, such as Danggui Shaoyao San; in cases of disharmony between the liver and spleen causing cramping and pain in the epigastrium and abdomen, as well as stiffness and pain in the limbs due to blood deficiency, it is often combined with Glycyrrhiza (Gan Cao) to produce a synergistic effect, such as in Shaoyao Gancao Tang from the *Treatise on Cold Damage*; Cinnamomum cassia (Rou Gui) may be added for cold patterns, and Scutellaria baicalensis (Huang Qin) for heat patterns.White peony root also treats abdominal pain and diarrhea caused by liver hyperactivity and spleen deficiency, as seen in the Formula for Treating Pain and Diarrhea from *Danxi’s Heart Method*. Here, it is combined with Atractylodes macrocephala, Tangerine Peel, and Saposhnikovia root—which strengthen the spleen, regulate qi, and dispel wind—to soften the liver and alleviate pain. For heat-induced diarrhea with abdominal pain, it may be used in conjunction with Scutellaria baicalensis, as in the Scutellaria Decoction from *Treatise on Cold Damage*.

4. For conditions of liver yang hyperactivity, headache, and dizziness: White Peony Root nourishes yin and calms the liver; it is often combined with Raw Rehmannia, Achyranthes Root, and Hematite, as in the Jianling Decoction from *A Synthesis of Chinese and Western Medicine*. For accumulated heat that fails to dissipate, resulting in red, swollen, and painful eyes or the formation of corneal opacities, it is commonly used with Bupleurum, Cassia Seeds, and Blue Mustard Seeds.

Related Compatibility

1. White Peony Root Combined with Licorice: White Peony Root is sour and cold; it nourishes the blood, consolidates yin, soothes the liver, and relieves pain. Licorice is sweet and neutral; it strengthens the spleen, tonifies qi, and alleviates acute pain. When used together, these two herbs transform sour and sweet flavors into yin, soothe the liver, and relieve pain. This combination is suitable for epigastric and abdominal pain, as well as cramping and pain in the limbs caused by disharmony between the liver and spleen and insufficient nourishment of the tendons and vessels.

2. White Peony Root combined with Turtle Shell: White Peony Root excels at consolidating yin and dispersing heat, while Turtle Shell excels at nourishing yin and subduing yang. When used together, these two herbs enhance the effects of consolidating yin, subduing yang, soothing the liver, and calming wind. This combination is suitable for dizziness and headaches caused by liver-kidney deficiency and hyperactive liver yang; as well as spasms in the hands and feet caused by fluid depletion from febrile diseases and internal movement of deficiency wind.

3. White Peony Root combined with Oyster Shell: White Peony Root excels at nourishing blood and soothing the liver, while Oyster Shell excels at calming the liver and subduing Yang. When used together, these two herbs nourish liver Yin and calm liver Yang. This combination is suitable for conditions such as headaches and dizziness caused by Yin deficiency with hyperactive Yang.

4. White Peony Root (Bai Shao) combined with Wood Fragrance (Mu Xiang): White Peony Root excels at nourishing blood, soothing the liver, and relieving pain, while Wood Fragrance excels at regulating qi and relieving pain. When used together, these two herbs regulate qi and harmonize blood, alleviate spasms, and relieve pain. This combination is suitable for conditions such as abdominal pain and diarrhea caused by stagnation of qi and blood.

5. White Peony Root (Bai Shao) combined with Goji Berries (Gou Qi Zi): White Peony Root excels at nourishing blood, soothing the liver, and relieving acute pain; Goji Berries are effective at tonifying the kidneys, enriching essence, nourishing the liver, and improving vision. When used together, these two herbs nourish blood, soothe the liver, and tonify the kidneys to enrich essence. This combination is suitable for conditions such as dizziness, vertigo, and dry, sore eyes caused by deficiency of liver and kidney yin.

6. White Peony Root combined with Uncaria: White Peony Root excels at nourishing blood, soothing the liver, and subduing liver yang; Uncaria excels at clearing and calming the liver, subduing wind, and relieving spasms. When used together, these two herbs nourish the liver, consolidate yin, subdue wind, and relieve spasms. This combination is suitable for treating headaches, dizziness, irritability, and insomnia with frequent dreams caused by deficiency of liver yin and blood, coupled with hyperactivity of liver yang.

7. White Peony Root (Bai Shao) Combined with Bupleurum Root (Chai Hu): White Peony Root excels at nourishing blood, soothing the liver, and alleviating acute pain; Bupleurum Root excels at regulating the liver and relieving depression. When used together, these two herbs combine liver-soothing with liver-regulating effects, and harmonizing qi with harmonizing blood. This combination nourishes blood, soothes the liver, regulates the liver, and relieves depression, making it suitable for conditions such as distending pain in the flanks, breast distension and pain, and irregular menstruation caused by liver qi stagnation and disharmony of qi and blood.

8. White Peony Root (Bai Shao) combined with Ginger (Sheng Jiang): White Peony Root excels at nourishing blood and soothing the liver, while Ginger excels at warming the stomach and dispelling cold. When used together, this combination nourishes blood and dispels cold, making it suitable for conditions such as dysmenorrhea or postpartum abdominal pain caused by blood deficiency with cold.

9. White Peony Root combined with Cyperus Rhizome: White Peony Root excels at nourishing blood, consolidating yin, soothing the liver, and relieving pain; Cyperus Rhizome excels at regulating the liver, relieving depression, regulating menstruation, and alleviating pain. When used together, these two herbs regulate liver qi and nourish blood to regulate menstruation. They are suitable for treating irregular menstruation and dysmenorrhea caused by liver qi stagnation.

Medicinal Identification

1. Raw White Peony Root, Roasted White Peony Root, and Wine-Processed White Peony Root: These three are different processed forms of White Peony Root. Raw White Peony Root excels at nourishing blood, consolidating yin, and subduing liver yang; it is used for menstrual irregularities due to blood deficiency, dysmenorrhea, headaches, dizziness, as well as spontaneous sweating and night sweats.Fried White Peony Root has a slightly milder nature; its primary functions are to nourish the blood and harmonize the nutritive qi, as well as to consolidate yin and stop sweating. It is used for blood deficiency with sallow complexion, abdominal pain, cramping pain in the limbs, spontaneous sweating, and night sweats. Wine-processed White Peony Root has reduced sour and cold properties; it enters the blood system and excels at regulating menstruation and stopping bleeding, as well as soothing the liver and relieving pain. It is used for liver qi stagnation with blood deficiency, costal and abdominal pain, irregular menstruation, and cramping pain in the limbs.

2. White Peony Root (Bai Shao) and Red Peony Root (Chi Shao): Red Peony Root and White Peony Root belong to the same category but are two distinct varieties. The *Shennong Bencao Jing* collectively refers to them as “Peony” (Shaoyao). In the *Collected Notes on the Classic of Materia Medica* by Tao Hongjing of the Liang Dynasty, the two types—red and white—were first distinguished, and it was noted that the white variety is of superior quality, while the red variety has distinct therapeutic effects. Although both are slightly cold in nature, their therapeutic effects differ significantly.White peony root (Bai Shao) has a sour and bitter taste and enters the Liver and Spleen meridians. It is used to nourish blood, consolidate yin, calm the liver, and relieve pain. Its functions include nourishing blood, consolidating yin, softening the liver to alleviate pain, subduing liver yang, and reducing sweating. It is particularly suitable for those with yin and blood deficiency accompanied by hyperactive liver function. It is effective in treating dizziness and vertigo caused by blood deficiency and hyperactive liver function,liver-qi stagnation with costal pain, as well as pallor due to blood deficiency, cramping and pain in the limbs or epigastrium and abdomen, irregular menstruation and dysmenorrhea caused by blood deficiency, and night sweats due to yin deficiency.Red Peony Root (Chi Shaoyao) has a bitter taste and enters the Liver meridian; it is a herb that clears heat and promotes dispersion. It excels at clearing heat, cooling the blood, resolving blood stasis, and relieving pain. It is particularly suitable for conditions involving blood deficiency and blood heat or blood stasis. It effectively treats redness, swelling, and pain in the eyes caused by ascending Liver fire, as well as pain in the flanks resulting from Liver Qi stagnation transforming into fire. It also effectively treats heat invading the营血 (Ying Blood), blood-heat rashes, vomiting of blood, and nosebleeds,menstrual cessation due to blood stasis, dysmenorrhea, trauma, and sores caused by fire-toxin.

3. White Peony Root (Bai Shao) and Oyster Shell (Shi Jue Ming): Both herbs enter the Liver Meridian and possess the efficacy of calming the Liver and subduing Yang. They are used to treat headaches, dizziness, and other symptoms caused by Liver-Kidney Yin deficiency and excessive Liver Yang rising.However, White Peony Root (Bai Shao) is sour in nature and has astringent and tonifying properties; it nourishes the blood, consolidates yin, regulates menstruation, and alleviates pain. It can be used to treat a sallow complexion, dizziness, blurred vision, palpitations, and fatigue caused by blood deficiency in the Liver and Spleen, as well as irregular menstruation, metrorrhagia, menorrhagia, and menstrual cramps;White Peony Root also nourishes blood, consolidates yin, and stops sweating; as an excellent remedy for sweating, it is suitable for spontaneous sweating due to superficial deficiency resulting from disharmony between the Nutritive and Defensive Qi, as well as persistent night sweats caused by yin deficiency;White Peony Root also nourishes liver blood and consolidates liver yin; it has the functions of nourishing blood, soothing the liver, relieving spasms, and alleviating pain. It treats blood deficiency with liver hyperactivity, qi stagnation causing costal pain, disharmony between the liver and spleen resulting in abdominal cramping and pain, as well as liver blood deficiency leading to malnourished tendons and vessels causing cramping and pain in the limbs. It also treats spleen deficiency with liver excess, abdominal pain with diarrhea, and dysentery with pus and blood, accompanied by tenesmus and a sensation of incomplete evacuation.Shi Jue Ming, which is salty and cold in nature and enters the Liver meridian, can clear and drain Liver fire while nourishing Liver yin, thereby improving vision and removing corneal opacities. It is an essential herb for treating eye disorders and can be used in both deficiency and excess patterns.

Related Medicines

Enhanced Xiaoyao Pills, Si Ni San, Xintongkang Capsules, Weishuning Granules, and Gennianningxin Capsules.

Related Prescriptions

Peony Decoction (*Su Wen: Collection of Pathogenesis, Qi Principles, and Life-Preserving Methods*), Four Substances Decoction (*Secret Formulas for Treating Injuries and Continuation of the Dictyostelium, Transmitted by Immortals*), Four Reversals Powder (*Treatise on Cold Damage*), Cinnamon Twig Decoction (*Treatise on Cold Damage*), and Free and Easy Wanderer Powder (*Formulas of the Bureau of Harmonious Preparations*).

Medicinal Diet Therapy

A medicinal dish featuring White Peony Root is Fish Head Stewed with White Peony Root and Chuanxiong.

1. Effects: Regulates qi and nourishes blood; calms the mind and relieves pain; nourishes yin and tonifies the kidneys; strengthens the body; suitable for patients with intercostal neuralgia.

2. Ingredients: 10g White Peony Root,Chuanxiong 10g, Licorice 6g, 1 carp head (500g), cooking wine 20g, ginger 10g, scallions 15g, salt 4g.

3. Preparation: Soak the White Peony Root, Licorice, and Chuanxiong until softened, then slice them. Wash the carp head and remove the gills. Slice the ginger and cut the scallions into sections.Rub the carp head with cooking wine and salt, then place it in a stew pot. Add the white peony root, licorice, and Sichuan lovage, pour in 800 milliliters of water, and add the ginger and scallions. Bring the stew pot to a boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat for 20 minutes until done.

4. Usage: Once daily. Consume 50–100g of the carp head each time.

Notes

Patients requiring treatment with Chinese herbal medicine should first consult a licensed Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) hospital to receive a prescription following a professional TCM differential diagnosis.