Use of Chi Shao (red peony roots) in TCM
Please note that you should never self-prescribe TCM ingredients. A TCM ingredient is almost never eaten on its own but as part of a formula containing several ingredients that act together. Please consult a professional TCM practitioner, they will be best able to guide you.
Preparation: Remove impurities, wash and soak, cut in thick slices and dry
Dosage: 6 - 12 grams
Main actions according to TCM*: Moves Blood, relieves pain and reduces swelling. Cools the Blood and the Liver.
Primary conditions or symptoms for which Chi Shao may be prescribed by TCM doctors*: Hematemesis Nosebleed Conjunctivitis Chest pain Amenorrhea Dysmenorrhea Boils Sores
Contraindications*: Should not be used by those with Blood Deficiency.
Common TCM formulas in which Chi Shao is used*
Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Formula key actions: Promotes Blood and lymphatic circulation, thus eleminates Blood Stagnation. Softens and resolves hard lumps such as cysts and fibroids.
Conditions targeted*: InfertilityDysmenorrhea and others
Chi Shao is a deputy ingredient in Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan, Chi Shao promotes the circulation of Blood to alleviate stagnation. It's also a diuretic, helping drain Dampness which facilitates the action of the key herbs in regulating the Blood.
Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang
Source date: 1830 AD
Number of ingredients: 11 herbs
Formula key actions: Invigorates the Blood. Dispels blood Stagnation. Spreads the Liver Qi. Unblocks the channels.
Conditions targeted*: Coronary artery diseaseRheumatic valvular heart disease and others
Chi Shao is a deputy ingredient in Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang, Chi Shao invigorate the Blood. However, its focus more on the lower part of the body.
Wu Lin San
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Formula key actions: Clears heat. Cools the Blood. Promotes urination. Unblocks painful urinary dribbling.
Conditions targeted*: UrethritisCystitis and others
Chi Shao is a deputy ingredient in Wu Lin San. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Wu Lin San, Chi Shao enters into the Blood aspect to dispel Stagnated Heat, enhancing the efficacy of the key herb Zhi Zi in that respect. It also moves the Blood, stops abdominal pain and promotes urination.
Key TCM concepts behind Chi Shao's properties
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Chi Shao belongs to the 'Herbs that invigorate the Blood' category. Like the name indicates these herbs tend to stimulate the Blood flow. In TCM they're used to help the circulation of Blood in cardiovascular conditions or menstrual irregularities as well as to treat acute pains caused by Blood Stagnation. They can also be used to treat Blood Stagnation when it causes certain tumors, cysts and hardened clots.
Furthermore Chi Shao is Cool in nature. This means that Chi Shao tends to help people who have too much 'Heat' in their body, although with less effect than a plant that would be Cold in nature. Balance between Yin and Yang is a key health concept in TCM. Those who have too much Heat in their body are said to either have a Yang Excess (because Yang is Hot in nature) or a Yin deficiency (Yin is Cold in Nature). Depending on your condition Chi Shao can help restore a harmonious balance between Yin and Yang.
Chi Shao also tastes Bitter. The so-called 'Five Phases' theory in Chinese Medicine states that the taste of TCM ingredients is a key determinant of their action in the body. Bitter ingredients like Chi Shao tends to have a cleansing action on the body by clearing Heat, drying Dampness and promoting elimination via urination or bowel movements.
The tastes of ingredients in TCM also determine what Organs and Meridians they target. As such Chi Shao is thought to target the Liver. In TCM the Liver is often referred as the body's "general" because it is in charge of regulating the movements of Qi and the Body Fluids. It also takes a leading role in balancing our emotions.
Research on Chi Shao
Red peony root decoction is more effective than rhubarb alone for severe acute pancreatitis patients.1
Shufeng Liangxue Decoction (consisting of red peony root) is effective and safe in treating hormone dependence dermatitis, with the efficacy better and relapse rate lower than those of treatment with Western medicine alone.2
A heavy dosage of Paeonia rubra was effective in arresting the development of liver fibrosis, and in promoting the reabsorption of collagen fibres.3
Sources:
1. Zhang M, Zhu DZ, Li ZS, Zhan XB. ( 2008). Red peony root decoction in treatment of severe acute pancreatitis: a randomized controlled trial. Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Xue Bao. , 6(6):569-75. doi: 10.3736/jcim20080605.
2. Bai YS, Zhou CY, Wang JQ. (2008). Clinical observation on auxiliary treatment of hormone dependence dermatitis by shufeng liangxue decoction. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. , 28(12):1121-3.
3. Yang DG. (1994). Comparison of pre- and post-treatmental hepatohistology with heavy dosage of Paeonia rubra on chronic active hepatitis caused liver fibrosis. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. , 14(4):207-9, 195.