Product Introduction
Peony, also known as red peony, is a commonly used herbal material with its rhizome being the medicinal part. Its main components include monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and flavonoids. Peony originates from the rhizome of the peony plant in the family Paeoniaceae. Traditionally in TCM, peony is widely applied to treat menstrual irregularities, dysmenorrhea, gout, traumatic injuries, and skin itching. Its effects include promoting blood circulation, cooling the blood to stop bleeding, clearing heat and detoxifying, and reducing swelling. As an important herbal material, peony has significant value in both TCM and pharmaceutical preparations.
Main Active Ingredients of Peony - Red Peony
Peony (red peony) is an important herbal material whose rhizome contains various active components including monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, flavonoids, etc. These components endow peony with multiple pharmacological effects and clinical applications.
- Monoterpene Compounds: Peony contains various monoterpene compounds such as paeoniflorin, paeonic acid, and paeonol that have analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties useful for treating pain and inflammation.
- Sesquiterpene Compounds: The sesquiterpene compounds in peony primarily include red peony glycoside and white peony glycoside which exhibit antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory activities beneficial for infectious diseases and immune regulation.
- Flavonoid Compounds: Rich in flavonoids like paeoniflorin and isobutyl flavones that possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties providing protective effects against cardiovascular diseases and neurological disorders.
- Other Chemical Components: In addition to the main components mentioned above, peony also contains trace elements, vitamins, and amino acids that collectively contribute to health benefits.
- Efficacy Components: The effective components of peony work together to provide analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial effects while regulating menstruation and promoting blood circulation; thus it is widely used in TCM.
- Clinical Application Value: As a commonly used herbal material in TCM clinical practice for treating dysmenorrhea, menstrual irregularities, inflammation, traumatic injuries etc., peony demonstrates good efficacy and safety.
- Pharmacological Effects: The effective components of peony exert their effects by regulating physiological functions of the body, inhibiting inflammatory responses, promoting wound healing among other mechanisms.
- Safety: Generally considered safe when used at appropriate dosages; however attention should be paid to usage methods and dosages to avoid adverse reactions.
In summary, peony contains various effective components with multiple pharmacological actions and clinical application values holding an important position in TCM with broad prospects for use.
Application Scenarios and Dosage of Peony - Red Peony
Peony (red peony) is a commonly used herbal material with a wide range of applications in both TCM and food industries. Here are key applications along with dosage recommendations:
- Applications in Traditional Chinese Medicine:
- Menstrual Irregularities: Peony helps regulate menstruation and alleviate pain; it is often combined with other herbs like Chuanxiong or Dong Quai for this purpose.
- Inflammation: With its anti-inflammatory properties, it can be used to treat conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or rheumatic fever providing some analgesic effects.
- Diarrhea: Due to its astringent properties it can be employed for treating diarrhea; typically combined with herbs like Huanglian or Banxia.
- Fatigue: Peony nourishes yin and replenishes blood; useful for symptoms of weakness or fatigue often paired with ginseng or astragalus to enhance vitality.
- Applications in Food Industry:
- Health Supplements: Extracts from peony are commonly found in health supplements aimed at regulating women's menstrual cycles or improving skin conditions.
- Functional Beverages: Peony extracts can be added to functional drinks known for mood regulation or fatigue relief gaining popularity among consumers.
- Beauty Foods: Due to its antioxidant properties it is often included in beauty products such as drinks or supplements aimed at improving skin tone or delaying aging.
- Dosage Recommendations:
- Decoction: Typically 9-15 grams per dose; adjust based on specific conditions.
- Topical Ointments: Can also be used in ointments or topical patches applied directly to affected areas 1-2 times daily.
- Precautions:
- Caution for Pregnant Women: Pregnant or breastfeeding women should use caution when taking peony as it may affect fetal or infant health.
- Allergic Reactions: Some individuals may experience allergic reactions; if any occur during use discontinue immediately.
In summary, peony has extensive applications in both TCM and food industries; dosages should be tailored based on individual conditions while ensuring safety precautions are followed to maximize efficacy while ensuring safety.
Source Plant Introduction: Distribution and Growth Environment of Peony
Peony (red peony) is an important herbal material with rich medicinal value. Here’s detailed information about its source plant including distribution and growth environment:
- Plant Introduction:
- Scientific Name:Paeonia lactiflora Pall.
- Aliases: White Peony, Large Peony, Green Peony etc.
- Classification: A perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Paeoniaceae family.
- Morphological Characteristics: Typically grows 50-100 cm tall with upright stems; leaves consist of 5-11 leaflets; flowers are solitary at branch tips appearing red or white during late spring to early summer.
- Distribution:
- Native Region: Originally found in central and eastern China primarily along the Yellow River basin as well as Yangtze River basin.
- Domestic Distribution: Currently cultivated across northeastern China as well as northern central southern regions.
- International Cultivation: Also introduced into Japan Korea Europe where it has become popular both ornamentally medicinally.
- Growth Environment:
- Climate Conditions: Prefers warm humid climates although temperature requirements are not strict but sensitive to light humidity levels.
- Soil Requirements: Thrives best in fertile well-drained soils; deep loose fertile soils are ideal for growth.
- Growing Habits: Prefers full sunlight but can tolerate slightly shaded environments making it suitable for grassland areas.
- Cultivation Techniques:
- Sowing Time: Generally sown during spring or autumn; spring sowing allows roots to establish before winter while autumn sowing sprouts during spring.
- Planting Density: Recommended density is about 50-60 plants per square meter with spacing slightly greater than row spacing.
- Management Practices: After planting timely irrigation fertilization weeding soil loosening are necessary ensuring moisture retention conducive flowering growth.
In summary peony is an important herbal material native to central eastern China thriving under suitable climatic soil conditions demonstrating significant cultivation medicinal value.
Harvesting Processing and Storage of Peony - Red Peony
The harvesting processing storage of peony (red peony) is crucial for maintaining its medicinal value. Here’s detailed information on these processes:
- Harvest Timing:
- Harvesting typically occurs after flowering has ended best done when flowers have fallen leaving leaves intact generally between July August.
- Harvesting Method:
- Select healthy disease-free roots using sickles or knives to cut them out completely.
- Process immediately after harvesting to prevent quality degradation from prolonged storage.
- Processing Steps:
- Clean harvested roots thoroughly removing dirt impurities then cut into small sections drying them until fully dehydrated.
- Storage Conditions:
- Dried roots should be kept in well-ventilated dry cool places avoiding direct sunlight high temperatures preventing mold quality deterioration.
- Store dried roots in breathable sealed bags containers preventing moisture contamination odors from entering.
- Storage Duration:
- Properly dried roots can last over a year but for optimal quality consumption sooner is recommended.
- Precautions:
- During processing storage ensure moisture prevention mold avoidance keep away from strong odors that could affect medicinal value.
- Discard any moldy damp roots as they may pose health risks if consumed.
In summary proper harvesting processing storage practices are essential for preserving the medicinal value quality of peonies ensuring their effectiveness over time through appropriate handling storage methods extending shelf life maintaining potency quality intact.
Monica Sun is a seasoned expert in the natural raw materials industry, with over a decade of experience specializing in traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, spices, and fungi. She is skilled in the sourcing, processing, and application of these materials, emphasizing sustainability and innovation. Monica Sun has contributed to the development of high-quality natural raw materials that serve as essential components in functional foods, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, delivering tailored solutions to meet diverse market needs.