White Peony Root (Paeonia lactiflora; Bai Shao Yao) PWD 500 g

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 a boiling liquid composed of 1 part of good gin and 2 parts of water which maybe sweetened. Dose 2 or 3 fluid ounces 3 or 4 times a day. Dose of the expressed juice of the recent root 1 or 2 drachms; of the powdered root 1 drachm 3 or 4 times a day; of the powdered seeds from 30 to 40 grains.' American Materia Medica 1919 (Ellingwood): 'The agent is an antispasmodic. Through a mild but persistent tonic influence it is soothing to the nervous system of debilitated patient and of the aged. It is curative wherever there is irregular muscular action. It is useful in chorea either alone or combined with other positively indicated remedies. It has been given with good results in convulsions of childhood and other convulsive phenomena and its persistent use in epilepsy has resulted satisfactorily in some cases. It is not a powerful remedy but it is one that has a steady and persistent influence and will therefore be found of use as auxiliary to the action of positive but temporary remedies. It has been given in whooping cough and will probably be found valuable in the treatment of other spasmodic coughs.' 'The juice has been expressed from the recent root and has been administered in doses of from one to two drams. The powdered root in dram doses has been given. Thirty grains of the powdered seeds have been administered to overcome night terrors and nightmare in aged people and people afflicted with these forms of chronic disease accompanied with dropsy. It relieves all forms of nervous irritation and is beneficial in reflex irritability.' The root of Chinese peony has been used for over 1 500 years in Chinese medicine. It is known most widely as one of the herbs used to make 'Four Things Soup' a woman's tonic and it is also a remedy for gynaecological problems and for cramp pain and giddiness. When the whole root is harvested it is called Chi Shao Yao if the bark is removed during preparation then it is called Bai Shao Yao. The root is alterative analgesic anodyne antibacterial anti-inflammatory antiseptic antispasmodic astringent carminative diuretic emmenagogue expectorant febrifuge hypotensive nervine and tonic. The most important ingredient medicinally in the root is paeoniflorin which has been shown to have a strong antispasmodic effect on mammalian intestines it also reduces blood pressure reduces body temperature caused by fever and protects against stress ulcers. It is taken internally in the treatment of menstrual disorders injuries high blood pressure pre-menstrual tension and liver disorders. It should only be used under the supervision of a qualified practitioner and should not be prescribed for pregnant women. The root is an ingredient of 'Four Things Soup' the most widely used woman's tonic in China. The other species used are Rehmannia glutinosa Ligusticum wallichii and Angelica sinensis. A tea made from the dried crushed petals of various peony species has been used as a cough remedy and as a treatment for haemorrhoids and varicose veins. This is 2's nitrogen-flushed vacuum pack. Plum Flower is one of the most distinguished herb houses in the world. Sulfur Free Chlorine Free Aluminum Phosphate Free. Sulfites are used to give herbs the appearance of freshness. As with dried fruit unsulfured herbs look different than those that are adulterated with preservatives. Herbs that are preservative free are more natural looking and are generally darker. The brightness of the herbs may be appealing but it indicates the presence of harmful additives. Despite their appearance unsulfured herbs are more fresh and safer than regular commercially available products. The use of sulfur chlorine and aluminum phosphate was made unnecessary through the establishment of Plum Flower processing stations in China. Herb harvesters slice and process the herbs fresh avoiding the need to rehydrate dried herbs later to process. This first step is crucial as rehydration leads to decomposition and thus the need for preservatives. The herbs are then packed and the packages vacuum-packed injected with nitrogen and sealed. The nitrogen process combined with the lack of sulfur treatment inhibits the growth of anaerobic organisms resulting in safer higher quality herbs. After opening store in a cool dry place. The facilities in Lanzhou and Guang Zhou China scientifically test each batch of herbs before during and after the processing to make sure that all the active ingredients are present. 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