Efficacy and Effects of Red Peony Root (Chi Shao)
Sep 19, 2020
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Tian Bowen
Introduction
Promotes blood circulation to relieve pain, clears heat and cools the blood, disperses blood stasis to alleviate pain, and clears liver heat to improve vision.
1. Promotes blood circulation to relieve pain: commonly used for conditions such as fever with bleeding, carbuncles and abscesses with pain, dysmenorrhea, and amenorrhea.
2. Clears heat and cools the blood; disperses blood stasis to alleviate pain: Red Peony Root (Chishao) is bitter and cold in nature and enters the Liver channel to clear liver fire—thus not only clearing liver heat and improving vision but also exerting antibacterial effects. It is contraindicated in individuals with deficient-cold constitution.
Red Peony Root (Radix Paeoniae Rubra) has a bitter taste and slightly cold nature, and primarily affects the Liver channel. It functions to clear heat, cool the blood, invigorate blood circulation, resolve stasis, and alleviate pain. It is commonly used to treat abdominal pain, flank pain, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, leukorrhea, traumatic injuries, carbuncles, and abscesses.
Therapeutic Effects and Actions of Red Peony Root:
1. Promotes Blood Circulation and Alleviates Pain: This is one of the principal actions of Red Peony Root. It effectively resolves blood stasis and relieves pain while simultaneously invigorating blood circulation. Clinically, it is often employed for conditions such as fever with bleeding, painful swellings or abscesses, dysmenorrhea, and amenorrhea.
2. Clears Heat and Cools the Blood; Resolves Stasis and Relieves Pain: Being bitter and cold in nature, Red Peony Root enters the Liver channel to clear Liver fire. Besides clearing heat from the Liver and improving vision, it also exhibits antibacterial properties.
Caution: Red Peony Root is contraindicated in individuals with deficient-cold constitution, as its cold nature may induce diarrhea or loose stools.
