The Efficacy and Functions of Red and White Peony Root

Red and white peony actually refer to two different types of peony, namely red peony root and white peony root, each possessing unique therapeutic properties and functions.

Red peony root is slightly cold in nature, with a bitter and sour taste, and enters the liver meridian. Its main functions are clearing heat and cooling blood, promoting blood circulation to remove blood stasis, and relieving pain. It can reduce capillary permeability, decrease the release of inflammatory factors, and effectively treat symptoms such as red eyes, swellings, abscesses, and toxic conditions. Additionally, red peony root has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects and can be used in the treatment of joint pain caused by rheumatism.

White peony root is also slightly cold in nature, with a sweet and sour taste, and enters the liver and spleen meridians. Its primary functions are nourishing blood and regulating menstruation, alleviating spasms and pain, and soothing the liver to stop diarrhea. It is suitable for gynecological disorders such as pallor due to blood deficiency, pale complexion, irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, and metrorrhagia, as well as conditions like liver qi stagnation, distending pain in the hypochondrium, spasmodic pain in the limbs, and diarrhea. White peony root also has a calming effect and can be used as an adjunct in treating palpitations and insomnia.

Although both are types of peony root, red and white peony roots have certain differences. Red peony root is commonly used for clearing heat and cooling blood, activating blood circulation to resolve blood stasis, and clearing liver fire, primarily treating syndromes of blood heat. In contrast, white peony root excels at regulating blood and nourishing the menstrual cycle, consolidating yin to stop sweating, and subduing hyperactive liver yang, primarily treating syndromes of yin and blood deficiency.