INDIVIDUAL HERBS

Pharmaceutical Latin: Radix Paeoniae Alba
Common English: White Peony Root
Peony
Herbs that Tonify the Blood
Taste Temperature Entering Meridians Dosage
Bitter
Sour
Mildly Cold
(Cool)
Liver
Spleen
(Lung)
5-30g
Tincture: 2-4ml
Actions Indications/Syndromes

Nourishes the Blood and regulates menstruation

Liver Blood Deficiency with menstrual dysfunction, vaginal discharge and uterine bleeding accompanied by a pale face, a lusterless complexion and dull, lusterless nails

Anemia

Breast distention and premenstrual syndrome

Astringes Yin and adjusts the Ying and Wei

Yin Deficiency sweating

Sweating due to Yin Collapse

Disharmony between the Liver and Spleen

Disharmony between the Ying and Wei with non-productive sweating

Calms Liver Yang and Liver Wind and alleviates pain

Liver Qi Stagnation with Liver Yang Rising

Liver Wind with Yin and Blood Deficiency

Bi syndrome due to Blood Deficiency with pain and spasms

Softens the Liver and relieves pain

Diarrhea, borborygmus and abdominal pain

Dysenteric disorders with tenesmus

CONTRAINDICATIONS
  • Contraindicated for those with diarrhea from Deficiency Cold (Yang Deficiency).
  • Contraindicated for those with eczema or rashes from External Wind Attack with incomplete expression.
  • Contraindicated postpartum for those with Blood Stagnation or those who are still bleeding.
  • Do not use in large doses or over a prolonged period for those with Liver disorders.
  • This herb may be associated with drowsiness, so use caution when driving or operating heavy machinery.
INCOMPATIBILITIES
  • Antagonizes Hb. Dendrobii Shi Hu.
  • Antagonizes Hb. Cephalanoplos Xiao Ji.
  • Incompatible with Rz. et Rx. Veratri Li Lu.
HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS
  • Use caution for those taking anticoagulants such as heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and enoxaprin (Lovenox) or antiplatelet drugs such as aspirin, dipyridamole (Persantine), and clopidogrel (Plavix).
  • Use caution for those taking insulin, sulfonylureas and other anti-diabetics such as tolbutamide (Orinase), glipizide (Glucotrol) and glyburide (DiaBeta/Micronase) as there may be a synergistic effect leading to hypoglycemia.
  • Use caution with sedatives as this herb has a sedative and analgesic effect on the central nervous system. It prolongs sleeping time induced by barbiturates and has a protective effect against seizures induced by cardiazol.

Rx. Angelicae Sinensis
Dang Gui
Rx. Rehmanniae Preparata
Shu Di Huang

Rx. Angelicae Sinensis
Dang Gui
Rx. Rehmanniae Preparata
Shu Di Huang
Tub. Ophiopogonis
Mai Men Dong

Rx. Angelicae Sinensis
Dang Gui
Rx. Rehmanniae Preparata
Shu Di Huang
Rz. Zingiberis Preparatum
Pao Jiang
Fol. Artemisiae Argyi
Ai Ye

Dizziness, blurred vision and dysmenorrhea due to Blood Deficiency or Stasis.

Tinnitus, dizziness, blurred vision, numbness of the extremities and muscle spasms due to Liver Yin Deficiency.

Dizziness, blurred vision, and dysmenorrhea due to Blood Deficiency or Stasis with concurrent Yang Deficiency and Cold.

Rx. Angelicae Sinensis
Dang Gui
Rx. Rehmanniae Preparata
Shu Di Huang

Rx. Scutellariae
Huang Qin

Cx. Moutan
Mu Dan Pi

Rx. Glycyrrhizae
Gan Cao

Rx. Glycyrrhizae
Gan Cao
Fr. Chaenomelis
Mu Gua
Caulis Spatholobi
Ji Xue Teng

Dizziness, blurred vision, and dysmenorrhea due to Blood Deficiency or Stasis with concurrent Heat signs.

Abdominal pain due to disharmony between the Liver and Stomach.

Epigastric, hypochondriac or flank pain.

Muscle spasms, pain and numbness, especially in the calf, due to Blood Deficiency.

Regulates the relationship between the Liver and Spleen and nourishes the sinews.

Painful spasms of the calves.

Rx. Scutellariae
Huang Qin
Rz. Coptidis
Huang Lian

Rx. Bupleuri
Chai Hu

Rz. Cyperi
Xiang Fu
Rz. Corydalis
Yan Hu Suo

Damp-Heat dysenteric disorders.

Flank pain due to Liver Qi Stagnation.

Abdominal pain with menstruation.

Ram. cum Uncis Uncariae
Gou Teng
Flos Chrysanthemi
Ju Hua

Rx. Saposhnikoviae
Fang Feng
Rz. Atractylodis Macrocephalae
Bai Zhu

(Per. Citri Reticulatae)
(Chen Pi)

Rx. Rehmanniae
Sheng Di Huang
Colla Corii Asini
E Jiao

Headache and dizziness due to Liver Yang Rising.

Painful diarrhea and borborygmus.

Internal Stirring of Liver Wind, as in the aftermath of a febrile disease.

Rx. Angelicae Pubescentis
Du Huo
Rx. Gentianae Macrophyllae
Qin Jiao

or

Rx. Angelicae Pubescentis
Du Huo
Rx. Gentianae Macrophyllae
Qin Jiao
Rx. Ginseng
Ren Shen
Rx. Angelicae Sinensis
Dang Gui
Rx. Glycyrrhizae
Gan Cao

Ram. Cinnamomi
Gui Zhi

Ram. Cinnamomi
Gui Zhi

Fossilia Ossis Mastodi
Long Gu
Concha Ostreae
Mu Li

Chronic Bi Syndrome with injury to Qi and Blood leading to spasms of the extremities.

Harmonizes the Ying and Wei in Tai Yang Zhong Feng.

Yang Deficiency with unstable exterior and muscle layers.

Fossilia Ossis Mastodi
Long Gu
Concha Ostreae
Mu Li

Rx. Angelicae Sinensis
Dang Gui

Fr. Schisandrae
Wu Wei Zi
Fr. Tritici Levis
Fu Xiao Mai

or

Sm. Tritici Levis
Fu Xiao Mai
Fr. Schisandrae
Wu Wei Zi
Sm. Platycladi
Bai Zi Ren
Concha Ostreae
Mu Li

Spontaneous sweating and night sweats due to Yin Deficiency.

Nourishes Yin and Blood.

Night sweats.

Rx. Astragali
Huang Qi
Rx. Ginseng
Ren Shen

Rx. Scutellariae
Huang Qin

Cx. Albizziae
He Huan Pi

Restrains sweating from Deficiency.

Dysenteric disorders with abdominal pain due to Heat entering the Interior.

Cools Heat and nourishes the Blood for calming the fetus which is disturbed by Heat.

Liver Heat Attacking the Spleen and Stomach during pregnancy with nausea and vomiting.

Anxiety, irritability, worry and insomnia.

Excr. Trogopterori
Wu Ling Zhi
Pollen Typhae
Pu Huang
Rx. Glycyrrhizae
Gan Cao
Rz. Corydalis
Yan Hu Suo
Sm. Persicae
Tao Ren
Flos Carthami
Hong Hua

Rz. Zingiberis Preparatum
Pao Jiang
Cx. Cinnamomi
Rou Gui
Fol. Artemisiae Argyi
Ai Ye

Rx. Scutellariae
Huang Qin
Rz. Coptidis
Huang Lian
Cx. Moutan
Mu Dan Pi

Menstrual disorders with Blood Stagnation, such as dysmenorrhea with clots, delayed onset or amenorrhea.

Menstrual disorders with Cold signs such as cold extremities, dark purple clots, pain aggravated by Cold and delayed menstruation.

Menstrual disorders with Heat signs such as profuse, fresh red Blood, Heat sensations or early menstruation.

Rx. Bupleuri
Chai Hu
Rz. Cyperi
Xiang Fu
Caul. Perillae
Zi Su Geng
Per. Citri Reticulatae Viride
Qing Pi

Rx. Astragali
Huang Qi
Rx. Ginseng
Ren Shen
Rz. Atractylodes Macrocephalae
Bai Zhu
(Rx. Codonopsis)
(Dang Shen)

Cx. Eucommiae
Du Zhong
Rx. Dipsaci
Xu Duan
Hb. Taxilli
Sang Ji Sheng
Sm. Cuscutae
Tu Si Zi

Menstrual disorders with Liver Qi Stagnation, such as pre-menstrual syndrome, bloating, irritability and distended breasts.

Menstrual disorders with Qi Deficiency signs such as fatigue, weakness and pale, scanty menstrual Blood.

Lower back pain or restless fetus due to Kidney Deficiency.

Colla Corii Asini
E Jiao
Hb. Ecliptae
Han Lian Cao
Hb. Agrimoniae
Xian He Cao
Endoconcha Sepiae
Hai Piao Cao

Rx. Rehmanniae
Sheng Di Huang
Colla Corii Asini
E Jiao
Concha Ostreae
Mu Li
Carapax Trionycis
Bie Jia
Plastrum Testudinis
Gui Ban
Rx. Ophiopogonis
Mai Men Dong
Egg Yolks

Ram. Cinnamomi
Gui Zhi

Rz. Zingiberis
Sheng Jiang
Fr. Jujube
Da Zao
Fossilia Ossis Mastodi
Long Gu
Concha Ostreae
Mu Li

Abnormal uterine bleeding.

Muscle spasms.

Spontaneous sweating.

Ram. Cinnamomi
Gui Zhi

Rz. Zingiberis
Sheng Jiang
Fr. Jujube
Da Zao

Ram. Cinnamomi
Gui Zhi

Rz. Zingiberis
Sheng Jiang
Fr. Jujube
Da Zao

Rx. Aconiti Lateralis Preparata
Zhi Fu Zi

Rx. Astragali
Huang Qi
Ram. Cinnamomi
Gui Zhi

Rz. Zingiberis
Sheng Jiang
Fr. Jujube
Da Zao

Wind-Cold with Deficiency and perspiration.

Excess perspiration caused by inappropriate use of diaphoretics.

Bi syndrome.

Fr. Chaenomelis
Mu Gua
Caul. Spatholobi
Ji Xue Teng
Rx. Clematidis
Wei Ling Xian
Rx. Glycyrrhizae
Gan Cao
Fol. Cordia Dichotoma
Po Bu Zi Ye

Rx. Rehmanniae
Sheng Di Huang
Rx. Achyranthis Bidentatae
Niu Xi
Haematitum
Dai Zhe Shi
Concha Ostreae
Mu Li

Flos Chrysanthemi
Ju Hua
Fol. Mori
Sang Ye
Rx. Rehmanniae
Sheng Di Huang
Concha Ostreae
Mu Li
Concha Haliotidis
Shi Jue Ming
Rz. Gastrodiae
Tian Ma

Bone spurs.

Liver Yang Rising.

Liver Yang Rising with Liver Wind.

Ram. Cinnamomi
Gui Zhi

Saccharum Granorum
Yi Tang
Fr. Jujube
Da Zao
Rx. Glycyrrhizae
Gan Cao
Rz. Zingiberis
Sheng Jiang

Fr. Chaenomelis
Mu Gua
Ram. Cinnamomi
Gui Zhi

Caul. Spatholobi
Ji Xue Teng
Extr. Radicis Angelicae Sinensis
Dang Gui Wei
Hb. Lycopodii
Shen Jin Cao

Rx. Bupleuri
Chai Hu
Rx. Angelicae Sinensis
Dang Gui
Rz. Atractylodis Macrocephalae
Bai Zhu
Rx. Glycyrrhizae
Gan Cao

Severe epigastric or abdominal pain or cramps caused by the Liver overacting on the deficient, Cold Middle Jiao.

Bi syndrome due to Cold and Deficiency of Blood.

Premenstrual syndrome.

Rx. Scutellariae
Huang Qin
Rz. Coptidis
Huang Lian

Rx. et Rz. Rhei
Da Huang
Rx. Puerariae
Ge Gen

Rx. Pulsatillae
Bai Tou Weng
Rx. Aucklandiae
Mu Xiang
Rx. Glycyrrhizae
Gan Cao

 

 

Dysenteric disorders with tenesmus.

 

 

  1. This is a commonly used herb for treating women’s disorders.
  2. This herb is used to soften and comfort the Liver.
  3. It is important in stopping painful spasms in the abdomen and extremities and abdominal pain due to dysenteric disorders.
  4. Some sources classify this herb as an Astringent.
  5. Used in formulas to prevent miscarriage due to weakness of the Blood or Liver Stagnation.
  6. It is used to treat pain in Blood Deficiency disorders.
  7. It can also be considered an herb that Extinguishes Wind.
  8. It is an herb that both tonifies and drains.
  9. It enters the Spleen channel and supports the Spleen when attacked by Liver Qi.
  10. This herb pacifies the Liver, nourishes Blood and astringes Yin, while Rx. Paeoniae Rubra Chi Shao, cools the Blood, breaks up Stagnation and clears Heat from the Liver. They are often used in combination.
  11. Bai Shao and Rx. Angelica Sinensis Dang Gui both nourish Blood and alleviate pain. Dang Gui unblocks, disperses, drains and lubricates the Intestines while Bai Shao astringes Yin to extinguish Internal Wind and stop sweating and nourishes Liver blood to soften the Liver to relieve painful cramping, and other pain in the flanks and abdomen due to Liver disorders.
  12. Dry-fried White Peony Chao Bai Shao is less cold, but its ability to nourish Blood, harmonize the collaterals,  moderate the Spleen, relax the Liver and alleviate pain is enhanced. It is for Spleen Deficiency or Spleen and Liver  Disharmony with diarrhea and abdominal pain.
  13. Earth-fried White Peony Tu Chao Bai Shao is used for nausea or diarrhea with abdominal pain due to Spleen and Stomach Deficiency.
  14. Wine-fried White Peony Jiu Chao Bai Shao has a mild ability to invigorate the Blood and is used when Blood Deficiency is coupled with Blood Stasis or Cold.
  15. Vinegar-fried White Peony Cu Chao Bai Shao is more able to soften the Liver, alleviate pain and stop bleeding and is used to nourish Blood and tonify the Liver. It is used in combination to treat irregular menstruation or metrorrhagia due to disharmony between the Chong and Ren channels.
  16. Charred White Peony Bai Shao Tan is best for retaining Blood and stopping bleeding. It also helps reduce diarrhea and dysenteric disorders.