Peony Root Sliced (Paeonia lactiflora; Bai Shao Yao) 1 lb: C
This is Starwest's nitrogen-flushed double wall silverfoil pack. Used as an infusion, decoction, extract and tincture. The common garden peony is a cross between Paeonia lactiflora, native to Siberia, Manchuria, and Japan, and Paeonia officinalis, which originated in southern Europe. Western writers, such as Grieve, King's and Ellingwood, refer to Paeonia officinalis, but the two herbs are as closely related as rose varieties, have similar chemistries and usages. Bai shao, white peony, is described in traditional Chinese medicine precisely the same way Grieve describes Paeonia officinalis – as a female-friendly antispasmodic, useful for hypertension, muscle cramping and spasms, painful and irregular menstruation, especially as such might be compounded by liver malfunction. Peony's unique glycoside, paeoniflorin, is complemented by flavonoids, proanthocyanidins, tannins, and polysaccharides, Paeoniflorin is an antispamodic sedative. One peony-licorice formula is approved by the Japanese Ministry of Health for the treatment of muscle cramps. Another peony-dong quai formula, with four other herbs, is approved for painful menstruation. Aromatase is an enzyme that catalyzes the formation of estrogens from androgens in many tissues. Paeoniflorin, from Paeonia lactiflora, has been shown to to reverse low aromatase activity. (Chen S, et al. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 61,3-6:107-115,1997; Takeuchi T, et al. Am J Chin Med 1991;18:73-78.) Chinese herbalists also favour the White Peony for arthritis. It is used to promote blood circulation and to relieve muscle spasms. As the Chinese would say, White Peony nourishes the blood and is astringent to yin; calms liver yang manifested as dizziness, headache, insomnia; soothes liver energy and alleviates abdominal and chest pain. The medicinal roots are hard heavy long pieces, reddish brown with pinkish white interior. It should not be used alone during pregnancy or the first two months after childbirth. It can be used as part of compound formulas. Grieve's classic 'A Modern Herbal': 'Antispasmodic, tonic. Paeony root has been successfully employed in convulsions and spasmodic nervous affections, such as epilepsy, etc. 'It was formerly considered very efficacious for lunacy. An old writer tells us: 'If a man layeth this wort over the lunatic as he lies, soon he upheaveth himself whole.' 'The infusion of 1 oz. of powdered root in a pint of boiling water is taken in wineglassful doses, three or four times daily.' 'An infusion of the powdered root has been recommended for obstructions of the liver, and for complaints arising from such obstructions.' King's 1898 Dispensatory: 'Peony is antispasmodic and tonic. It is asserted to have been successfully employed in chorea, epilepsy, spasms, and various nervous affections. In combination with white snakeroot, or black cohosh, it has proved valuable in pertussis.' 'An infusion may be made by adding 1 ounce of the root, in coarse powder, to 1 pint of