Peony
Paeonia officinalis
The effects of peony flowers and of the root are proven. “Animal tests have demonstrated strong uterine contraction, tone reduction in the gastrointestinal tract and a drop in blood pressure. Anticonvulsive and analgesic effects could not be demonstrated, although hypertonia has been reported in animal tests.” As far as the unproven uses, “in folk medicine, European Peony root is used for neurasthenia and neurasthenia syndrome, neuralgia, migraines and allergic disorders such as escitability, epilepsy and whooping cough... The flowers were formerly used as a folk medicine remedy for epilepsy, as an emetic, emmenagogue and abortifacient, for diseases of the skin and mucous membranes, fissures, anal fissures associated with hemorrhoids, gout, rheumatoid arthritis and ailments of the respiratory tract.”
- PDR for Herbal Medicines, 2nd edition,
“Peony root contains bitter compounds that are sedative, antiseptic and relieve pains. These compounds also lower blood pressure and decrease capillary permeability. It has been used to treat arthralgia, gastric pains, inflammatory skin conditions and dysmenorrhea.”
- Nutritional Herbology,
