Paeonia lactiflora

Related Terms

European peony, mudanpi (Chinese), Paeonia, Paeonia emodi Wall, Paeonia L., Paeonia lactiflora, Paeonia lactiflora Pallas, Paeonia mascula, Paeonia officinalis, Paeonia radix, Paeonia rubra, Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews, Paeonia veitchii, Paeoniaceae (family), paeoniae flos, paeoniflorgenin (PG), paeoniflorin, paeony, partially purified paeoniflorin (PF), peony flower, peony root, PG, PGG, phenolic glycoside, piney, Quilinggao, Ranunculaceae (family), red peony root, resveratrol, Shakuyaku, stilbenes, total glucosides of Peony (TGP), Unkei-to.
Note: Peony root is not to be confused with peony flower.

Background

Peony root has been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for centuries. Peony flowers are also used medicinally, for example, in cough syrups and in herbal teas. In combination with other herbs, peony has been used to treat a wide variety of health conditions, including menstrual problems, kidney problems, pulmonary heart disease, uterine fibroids, and pneumonia. Peony has been applied to the skin to prevent wrinkles and has been taken by mouth to treat pulmonary heart disease and liver problems caused by chronic hepatitis.
There is good scientific evidence of an effect of peony in the treatment of pulmonary heart disease. There is also a growing body of research on TCM formulas containing peony for women's health conditions including menstrual problems, uterine fibroids, hormone regulation, and heart disease prevention. Higher quality studies are needed before a firm recommendation can be made.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


Pulmonary heart disease is a structural problem with the heart that is caused by a problem with the respiratory system. Studies suggest peony may benefit pulmonary heart disease. More research is needed before a firm recommendation may be made.

 B


Pulmonary heart disease is a structural problem with the heart that is caused by a problem with the respiratory system. Studies suggest peony may benefit pulmonary heart disease. More research is needed before a firm recommendation may be made.

 B


Peony root may have beneficial effects on immune function. These effects may help decrease inflammation associated with allergic skin reactions. There is currently not enough evidence to recommend for or against the use of peony in allergic skin conditions.

 C


Peony root may have beneficial effects on immune function. These effects may help decrease inflammation associated with allergic skin reactions. There is currently not enough evidence to recommend for or against the use of peony in allergic skin conditions.

 C


Peony root may have antioxidant effects. More research is needed to better understand the antioxidant potential of peony.

 C


Peony root may have antioxidant effects. More research is needed to better understand the antioxidant potential of peony.

 C


Peony may have positive effects on blood circulation and tone of the heart muscle and may help to prevent heart disease. Additional high-quality research is needed to support this traditional use.

 C


Peony may have positive effects on blood circulation and tone of the heart muscle and may help to prevent heart disease. Additional high-quality research is needed to support this traditional use.

 C


Human studies suggest peony may help in the treatment of heart disease. More research is needed before a recommendation can be made.

 C


Human studies suggest peony may help in the treatment of heart disease. More research is needed before a recommendation can be made.

 C


Hemolytic disease of the newborn is a condition that occurs when the blood types of the mother and the newborn are incompatible. Studies in humans have used a traditional Chinese herbal medicine containing peony to prevent this condition. More evidence is needed.

 C


Hemolytic disease of the newborn is a condition that occurs when the blood types of the mother and the newborn are incompatible. Studies in humans have used a traditional Chinese herbal medicine containing peony to prevent this condition. More evidence is needed.

 C


Studies in humans have used peony for the treatment of high blood pressure that occurs during pregnancy. More evidence is needed.

 C


Studies in humans have used peony for the treatment of high blood pressure that occurs during pregnancy. More evidence is needed.

 C


Human studies in postmenopausal women suggest peony may have beneficial effects on cholesterol levels in the blood. More research is needed to support this use of peony.

 C


Human studies in postmenopausal women suggest peony may have beneficial effects on cholesterol levels in the blood. More research is needed to support this use of peony.

 C


Human studies have shown that peony may have hormonal activity. More studies are needed before a recommendation can be made.

 C


Human studies have shown that peony may have hormonal activity. More studies are needed before a recommendation can be made.

 C


Human studies suggest that patients with a type of kidney disease called crescentic nephritis may need less glucocorticoid medication with use of peony. More research is needed to support this use.

 C


Human studies suggest that patients with a type of kidney disease called crescentic nephritis may need less glucocorticoid medication with use of peony. More research is needed to support this use.

 C


Peony has been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to treat liver disease. Larger, higher quality trials are needed to support this use of peony.

 C


Peony has been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to treat liver disease. Larger, higher quality trials are needed to support this use of peony.

 C


Although not well-studied in humans, peony may have anti-cancer activity. More high-quality studies are needed in this area.

 C


Although not well-studied in humans, peony may have anti-cancer activity. More high-quality studies are needed in this area.

 C


Traditionally, peony was used to treat menstrual problems and lack of a menstrual period. Preliminary research suggests that peony may have hormonal effects. More research is needed to support the use of peony for menstrual problems.

 C


Traditionally, peony was used to treat menstrual problems and lack of a menstrual period. Preliminary research suggests that peony may have hormonal effects. More research is needed to support the use of peony for menstrual problems.

 C


Peony's anti-inflammatory effects may benefit patients with rheumatoid arthritis. There is currently not enough evidence for or against this use of peony.

 C


Peony's anti-inflammatory effects may benefit patients with rheumatoid arthritis. There is currently not enough evidence for or against this use of peony.

 C


Peony root may have immune-stimulating properties. These effects may be of benefit in stomach disorders caused by the bacteria Campylobacter pyloridis. High-quality studies are needed before a recommendation may be made.

 C


Peony root may have immune-stimulating properties. These effects may be of benefit in stomach disorders caused by the bacteria Campylobacter pyloridis. High-quality studies are needed before a recommendation may be made.

 C


Peony may have hormonal activity that may have an effect on uterine fibroids. There is currently not enough evidence for or against this use of peony.

 C


Peony may have hormonal activity that may have an effect on uterine fibroids. There is currently not enough evidence for or against this use of peony.

 C


A compound found in peony may have anti-aging properties. Additional evidence is needed before a recommendation may be made.

 C


A compound found in peony may have anti-aging properties. Additional evidence is needed before a recommendation may be made.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
Various doses have been studied and there is no proven effective dose for peony. Typically, peony is consumed by mouth as a tea that is made by steeping 1 gram peony flowers in 150 milliliters boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes.
A preparation containing peony has been applied to the skin for eight weeks for wrinkle prevention.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Peony may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants ("blood thinners") such as warfarin (Coumadin?) or heparin, anti-platelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix?), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin?, Advil?) or naproxen (Naprosyn?, Aleve?).
Peony may interact with tamoxifen, drugs that decrease blood vessel growth, drugs that dilate or relax blood vessels, drugs used in the treatment of HIV, drugs with hormonal activity, drugs that affect the immune system, and drugs used to treat cancer, inflammation, viruses, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
Peony may delay absorption of the anti-seizure drug phenytoin (Dilantin?). Peony may decrease the need for steroid drugs in some patients.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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