Tree Peony ~ Paeonia moutan/suffruticosa

Tree peony

Latin name: Paeonia moutan/suffruticosa

Family: Ranunculaceae

Part used: root bark

Habitat: throughoutChina

Main constituents: gallic acid, paeonol, paeonoside, paeonolide, apiopaeonoside

Energetics: acrid, bitter, mildly cool

Main herbal actions: antimicrobial, cardiotonic, circulation enhancer, anti-inflammatory, immune strengthening

Minor herbal actions: emmenagogue, analgesic

Main medicinal uses: infectious diarrhea, hypertension, allergic rhinitis

Minor medicinal uses: purpura due to low platelet count

Preparations: pwd: 6 to 12 g qd

Contraindications: cold disorders, pregnancy, excessive menstruation, bleeding

Toxicity: relatively safe long-term

Sources: http://alternativehealing.org/paeonia_moutan.htm; http://www.herbalists.on.ca/resources/freeman/PAEONIAM.html; http://www.holistic-online.com/Herbal-Med/_Herbs/h351.htm