What are the pharmacological effects of white peony root (Baishao)?

White peony root (Bai Shao) is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine that has the effects of warming and tonifying the spleen and stomach, harmonizing the stomach to relieve pain, stopping diarrhea, and reducing swelling. It contains active ingredients such as paeoniflorin, paeonin, and paeonol, which possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. White peony root can be used to treat digestive system disorders such as stomachache, gastritis, gastric spasms, and diarrhea, as well as respiratory conditions including cough, asthma, and pneumonia. Additionally, it is effective in treating injuries, hemorrhoids, and menstrual irregularities. White peony root also has anti-aging benefits, as its antioxidant components—paeoniflorin, paeonin, and paeonol—inhibit the formation of free radicals, reduce symptoms of skin aging, and help delay the aging process.