Use of white peony roots (Bai Shao) 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: Wash, remove head and tail and smaller roots, cook in boiling water, remove skin or peel, dry.
Dosage: 3 - 12 grams
Main actions according to TCM*: Tonifies the Blood and preserves the Yin. Nourishes the Liver and assists in the smooth flow of Qi. Regulates the meridians and eases the pain.
Primary conditions or symptoms for which white peony roots may be prescribed by TCM doctors*:
Headache
Abdominal pain
Spasmodic pain
Anemia
Irregular menstruation
Night sweats
Contraindications*: This herb should not be used by those with diarrhea and Spleen and Stomach Deficiency.
Common TCM formulas in which white peony roots (Bai Shao) are used*
Bai Shao is a king ingredient in Si Wu Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Si Wu Tang, Bai Shao helps reduce the muscle spasms caused by Blood-Deficiency and it is particularly well-suited to treat abdominal pain. Together with Prepared rehmannia (Shu Di huang), it has a strong tonifying effect on the Blood.
Read more about Si Wu Tang
Bai Shao is a king ingredient in Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang, Bai Shao enters the Liver and Spleen. It nourishes the Blood, pacifies the Liver and relieves spasmodic abdominal pain. It is also able to unblock the Blood vessels and promote water metabolism.
Read more about Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang
Bai Shao is a king ingredient in Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang, Bai Shao is sour and cooling. It enters the Spleen to nourish the Blood and restrain the Yang.
Read more about Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang
Bai Shao is a king ingredient in Xiao Tiao Jing Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Xiao Tiao Jing Tang, Bai Shao nourishes Blood.
Read more about Xiao Tiao Jing Tang
Bai Shao is a king ingredient in Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang. Like the name indicates, it means it has more power than other ingredients in the formula.
In Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang, Bai Shao helps reduce the muscle spasms caused by Blood Deficiency and it is particularly well-suited to treat abdominal pain.
Read more about Shu Jing Huo Xue Tang
Bai Shao is a deputy ingredient in Jia Wei Xiao Yao San. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Jia Wei Xiao Yao San, Bai Shao moves Qi and is specific for menstrual problems, especially from emotional stress.
Read more about Jia Wei Xiao Yao San
Bai Shao is a deputy ingredient in Xiao Yao San. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Xiao Yao San, Bai Shao moves Qi and is specific for menstrual problems, especially from emotional stress.
Read more about Xiao Yao San
Bai Shao is a deputy ingredient in Juan Bi Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
Read more about Juan Bi Tang
Bai Shao is a deputy ingredient in Tao Hong Si Wu Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Tao Hong Si Wu Tang, Bai Shao tonifies the blood and preserves the Yin. Its sour and astringent character helps to settle the muscle spasms caused by Blood Deficiency, and it is particularly well-suited to treat abdominal pain.
Read more about Tao Hong Si Wu Tang
Bai Shao is a deputy ingredient in Wen Jing Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Wen Jing Tang, Bai Shao nourishes and invigorates Blood, which is necessary because the obstruction of the Uterus by Cold prevents new Blood from taking its proper place there. It also regulates the menstruation, tonifies the Yin and regulates the Liver.
Read more about Wen Jing Tang
Bai Shao is a deputy ingredient in E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang, Bai Shao calms the Liver to extinguish Wind. The combination of Bai Shao and Gan Cao (Liquorice) is very effective in treating painful spasms.
Read more about E Jiao Ji Zi Huang Tang
Bai Shao is a deputy ingredient in Wan Dai Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Wan Dai Tang, Bai Shao softens the Liver and regulates the Spleen. It allows the Liver Qi to spread in a manner that it strengthens rather than constrains Spleen function.
Read more about Wan Dai Tang
Bai Shao is a deputy ingredient in Xiao Jian Zhong Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Xiao Jian Zhong Tang, Bai Shao benefits the Yin with its sweet and sour taste.
Read more about Xiao Jian Zhong Tang
Bai Shao is a deputy ingredient in Dang Gui Si Ni Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Dang Gui Si Ni Tang, Bai Shao strengthens the key ingredient Dong Quai's Blood tonifying effect. In addition, together with Cinnamon twigs, they harmonize the protective and nutritive Qi so as to eliminate Cold from the more superficial levels of the body.
Read more about Dang Gui Si Ni Tang
Bai Shao is a deputy ingredient in Ma Zi Ren Wan. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Ma Zi Ren Wan, Bai Shao is bitter, sour, and slightly cold. It enters the Spleen, nourishes the Yin and harmonizes the interior.
Read more about Ma Zi Ren Wan
Bai Shao is a deputy ingredient in Gui Zhi Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Gui Zhi Tang, Bai Shao benefits the Yin and contains the weak nutritive Qi. Together with Gui Zhi it enhances the ability of the Protective Qi to dispel pathogens while strengthening the Nutritive Qi.
Read more about Gui Zhi Tang
Bai Shao is a deputy ingredient in Huang Lian E Jiao Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Huang Lian E Jiao Tang, Bai Shao enriches and retains the Yin to harmonize the functions of the Qi
Read more about Huang Lian E Jiao Tang
Bai Shao is a deputy ingredient in Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang, Bai Shao benefits the Yin with its sweet and sour taste.
Read more about Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang
Bai Shao is an assistant ingredient in Chai Hu Shu Gan San. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Chai Hu Shu Gan San, Bai Shao acts to nourish the Blood, together with Liquorice another assistant. This softens the Liver (which, according to Chinese medicine, stores the Blood) which helps stop the pain.
Read more about Chai Hu Shu Gan San
Bai Shao is an assistant ingredient in Zhen Wu Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Zhen Wu Tang, Bai Shao preserves the Yin and alleviates pain. It prevents the dry, hot herbs that promote urination from injuring the Yin.
Read more about Zhen Wu Tang
Bai Shao is an assistant ingredient in Fu Zi Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Fu Zi Tang, Bai Shao complements the actions of the key herb, Prepared aconite (Zhi Fu Zi) because it is cooling and restrains the Yin. Nourishing the Yin provides a substratum to which the Yang generated by Prepared aconite can attach itself, keeping it in the Interior and preventing it from dissipating to the Exterior.
Read more about Fu Zi Tang
Bai Shao is an assistant ingredient in Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
Read more about Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang
Bai Shao is an assistant ingredient in Xiao Qing Long Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Xiao Qing Long Tang, Bai Shao nourishes the Blood and nutritive Qi.
Read more about Xiao Qing Long Tang
Bai Shao is an assistant ingredient in Si Ni San. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Si Ni San, Bai Shao nourishes the Liver and preserves the Yin. Bai Shao holds things in; this is in contrast to the key herb Chai Hu, which disperses. This combination is very effective in disseminating the Liver
Qi without injuring its Yin.
Read more about Si Ni San
Bai Shao is an assistant ingredient in Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang, Bai Shao nourishes the Yin and increases the Fluids and thereby softens the Liver and relaxes the sinews.
Read more about Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang
Bai Shao is an assistant ingredient in Wu Tou Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Wu Tou Tang, Bai Shao helps reduce the muscle spasms caused by Blood Deficiency and Stagnation.
Read more about Wu Tou Tang
Bai Shao is an assistant ingredient in Da Fang Feng Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Da Fang Feng Tang, Bai Shao invigorates and tonifies Blood at the same time. It is one of the four ingredients for the formula Si Wu Tang which is commonly use for Blood tonifying and invigorating purpose.
Read more about Da Fang Feng Tang
Bai Shao is an assistant ingredient in Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang. This means that it either serves to reinforces the effect of other ingredients or it moderates their toxicity.
In Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang, Bai Shao clears Heat, nourishes the Yin, and enriches the Fluids. This treats the ascendant Liver Yang at the root, which indirectly extinguishes the Wind.
Read more about Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang
Key TCM concepts behind white peony roots (Bai Shao)'s properties
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), white peony roots are plants that belong to the 'Tonic herbs for Blood Deficiency' category. Tonic herbs are used for patterns of Deficiency, when one lacks one of the 'Four Treasures' (Qi, Blood, Yin and Yang). Blood tonics tend to be bitter-sweet with either a Warm or neutral nature. Because the Liver stores Blood, all Blood tonics enter that Organ's Channel.
As suggested by its category white peony roots are plants that are Neutral in nature. This means that white peony roots typically don't affect the balance in your body. Balance between Yin and Yang is a key health concept in TCM. Eating too many "Hot" (Yang) ingredients can lead to an imbalance whereby one has a Yang Excess. The inverse is true as well: too many "Cold" (Yin) ingredients can lead to a Yin Excess. The Neutral nature of white peony roots means that you don't have to worry about that!
White peony roots also taste Bitter and Sour. 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 white peony roots tend to have a cleansing action on the body by clearing Heat, drying Dampness and promoting elimination via urination or bowel movements. On the other hand Sour ingredients help with digestion and restrain abnormal discharges of Fluids from the body, such as diarrhea or heavy sweating.
The tastes of ingredients in TCM also determine what Organs and Meridians they target. As such white peony roots are thought to target the Spleen and the Liver. In TCM the Spleen assists with digestion, Blood coagulation and Fluids metabolism in the body. The Liver on the other hand 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 white peony roots (Bai Shao)
Paeoniflorin and 8-debenzoylpaeoniflorin isolated from the dried root of Paeonia lactiflora produced a significant blood sugar lowering effect in streptozotocin-treated rats. It could therefore have similar effects in human and help treat diabetes.1
The root of Paeonia lactiflora has antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects in that it can improve IgE-induced anaphylaxis and scratching behaviors. That may be due to the effect of its constituents, paeoniflorin and paeonol.2
Sources:
1. FL Hsu, CW Lai, JT Cheng (1997). Antihyperglycemic Effects of Paeoniflorin and 8-Debenzoylpaeoniflorin, Glucosides from the Root of Paeonia lactiflora. Planta Med, 63(4): 323-325. DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-957692.
2. Lee, B., Shin, YW., Bae, EA. et al. Arch. Pharm. Res. (2008) 31: 445. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12272-001-1177-6
