White Peony Root by Ray Sahelian, M.D. (natural medicine library) Paeonia lactiflora Pall. (family Ranunculaceae)

White peony root grows in China. It is dug in summer or autumn and washed clean. The lateral roots and skin are removed and then it is briefly boiled and dried in the sun, sliced and used unprepared, stir-baked or stir-baked with wine.

Traditional uses of white peony root
This herb has been used for regulating menstruation and reducing sweating.

Modern research
 The extract from white peony root may have a beneficial effect on IgA nephropathy. Paeonol (2'-hydroxy-4'-methoxyacetophenone), the main active compound of white peony root, has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and cardiovascular protective activities. Other substances in this herb include paeoniflorin and albiflorin.

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For a list of herbs used in Chinese medicine, see Chinese Herbs.



White Peony Root Research Update
The effect of the extract from Radix Paeoniae alba on IgA Glomerulonephritis in mice
Zhong Yao Cai. 2003 Feb;26(2):109-11.
To observe the effect of the extract from Radix Paeoniae Alba on IgA glomerulonephritis in mice. METHODS: IgA glomerulonephritis was induced by injection of dextran and sephadex-150. After administrating the extract, the contents of urinary protein, BUN and Cr in serum were determined. RESULTS: The extract could inhibit the decline of mouse weight, and decrease urinary protein content and BUN content in serum. While, the extract had no effect on Cr in serum. The extract from white peony root had therapeutical effect on IgA glomerulonephritis.

Clinical and experimental study of shenshao tongguan pian in treating angina pectoris of coronary heart disease
Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 1990 Oct;10(10):596-9, 580.
Shenshao Tongguan Pian (SSTGP) is composed chiefly of saponins from the stem and leaf of Ginseng and Radix Paeoniae Alba, etc. The authors applied this remedy for the treatment of angina pectoris of CHD. From 1982-1988, the authors carried out a randomized double blind trial on altogether 565 cases of CHD divided into an experimental group to be treated with SSTGP and a control group treated with another TCM proprietory medicine, Dan Qi Pian, that had been used for many years clinically. The total effective rate of treating angina pectoris was 94.71% and ECG improvement rate 63.38% in experimental group whereas 66.99% and 23.38% respectively in the control group, the difference being very significant (P less than 0.01). Experiments with animals proved that SSTGP had more potent actions on CV system, such as dilatation of coronary arteries, promotion of coronary perfusion flow, lowering oxygen consumption of heart muscle, resisting the coronary spasm, anoxia and ischemia of heart muscle elicited by pituitrin, and prolongation of survival time of mice under anoxic state. In addition, laboratory examination also revealed SSTGP could promote the left ventricular output, lower the blood viscosity and inhibit the aggregation of blood platelets. Both acute and chronic toxicity tests showed SSTGP has no toxicity nor side effects. Therefore SSTGP is a new, safe and effective TCM proprietory remedy for CHD and angina pectoris.

Clinical study of 96 cases with chronic hepatitis B treated with jiedu yanggan gao by a double-blind method
Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 1990 Feb;10(2):71-4, 67.
This paper reported 96 cases with chronic hepatitis B treated by a double-blind method. There were 51 cases of observation group (OG) and 45 cases of control group (CG). OG was treated with Jiedu Yanggan Gao consisting of Artemisia capillaris, Taraxacum mongolicum, Plantago seed, Cephalanoplos segetum, Hedyotis diffusa, Flos Chrysanthemi Indici, Smilax glabra, Astragalus membranaceus, Salviae miltiorrhizae, Fructus Polygonii Orientalis, Radix Paeoniae Alba, Polygonatum sibiricum, etc.). CG was prescribed with three charred medicinal herbs (charred Fructus Crataegi, charred Fructrus Hordei Germinatus, charred fermented mixture of several medical herbs and wheat bran). The average duration of treatment was five months. All 96 cases belong to the virus-duplication-type with positive HBsAg for over one year. Among them 65.5% of cases HBeAg, DNAP and HBV-DNA were positive. 20.8% of cases were positive in two out of the above tests. 13 data were compared statistically between two groups, and proved to be comparable (P greater than 0.05) before treatment. 27% and 66% of cases' ALT, AST returned to normal respectively in OG after treatment. However, in CG they were 9% and 22. TTT returned to normal in 52% cases of OG and 44% in CG. 20% cases HBeAg shifted to negative in OG, but 6.7% in CG. Cases with negative DNAP in OG occupied 34%, but 10% in CG. 31% cases' HBV-DNA changed to negative in OG, while 17% in CG. After comprehensive judgement, the total effective rate was 74% in OG and 24% in CG respectively.. Eight cases were basically cured in OG and one case in CG. After one year's follow-up, one recurred in eight patients of OG, however the only one cured in CG still relapsed.