Paeoniae Radix Alba（白芍）/ Paeoniae Radix Rubra（赤芍）
Aliases：Bái Sháo (White Peony Root), Chì Sháo (Red Peony Root), Jīn Sháo Yào (Golden Peony Root), Jiāng Lí (Parting Herb), Lí Cǎo (Farewell Herb)
Shao Yao (Peony Root) is a Chinese medicinal herb. It is the dried root of Paeonia lactiflora Pall., a plant of the Ranunculaceae family. Based on different processing methods, it is divided into two types: Bai Shao (White Peony Root), which is boiled and peeled, is known for nourishing blood and astringing yin; Chi Shao (Red Peony Root), which is dried directly without peeling, is known for cooling blood and dispersing stasis.
Efficacy & Actions
Bai Shao: Nourishes blood and regulates menstruation, astringes yin to stop sweating, softens the liver to relieve pain, and suppresses liver yang. It enters the liver and spleen blood aspect, clearing liver fire, calming the spleen and lungs, consolidating the exterior, and harmonizing blood vessels. Chi Shao: Clears heat, cools blood, disperses stasis, and relieves pain. It moves quickly through the blood aspect, clearing liver fire and dispersing stagnant blood, with a stronger effect on cooling blood and clearing heat.
Indications
Bai Shao: Used for sallow complexion due to blood deficiency, menstrual irregularities, metrorrhagia and leukorrhea, spontaneous sweating and night sweats, hypochondriac and abdominal pain, limb spasms, headache, and vertigo. Chi Shao: Used for warm-toxin skin eruptions, hematemesis and epistaxis, red and swollen eyes, hypochondriac pain due to liver qi stagnation, amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea, abdominal masses and pain, traumatic injuries, and carbuncles and sores.
Modern Pharmacology
Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic: Paeoniflorin and other components exhibit significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects through modulation of multiple signaling pathways. Cardiovascular Protection: It has antithrombotic, lipid-lowering, and anti-myocardial hypertrophy effects. Studies show Bai Shao has anti-myocardial ischemia protective effects. Neuroprotection and Antidepressant Effects: Paeoniflorin has antidepressant, sedative, anticonvulsant, and learning/memory-enhancing effects on the central nervous system. Hepatoprotective Effect: Total glucosides of peony have protective effects on the liver and are used in anti-hepatitis formulations. Immunomodulation: It improves autoimmune diseases. Antitumor Effects: Paeoniflorin inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in various cancer cells, including laryngeal, breast, liver cancer, and leukemia. Hypoglycemic Effect: Bai Shao has blood sugar-lowering effects.
Ingredients
Peony root mainly contains the following classes of compounds: Monoterpenes and Glycosides: Paeoniflorin and albiflorin (recognized as the main active components; paeoniflorin is the highest in content and serves as the quality control marker) Triterpenoids and Tannins Flavonoids Volatile Oils Phenylethanoid Glycosides and Steroids Organic Acids Various Macro- and Trace Elements
Usage & Dosage
Bai Shao Oral Administration: Decoction, standard dosage 5–12g; in larger doses, 15–30g may be used. May also be prepared in pills or powder. Processing: Stir-frying with wine moderates its cold nature; stir-frying with vinegar enhances astringent and hemostatic effects; plain stir-frying makes it milder for harmonizing the spleen and stopping diarrhea. Chi Shao Oral Administration: Decoction, standard dosage 6–12g. Contraindicated Combination: Should not be used with Veratrum nigrum (Lí Lú).
Contraindications
Bai Shao: Contraindicated in cases of external contraction without sweating and exterior excess, as its astringent effect may impede the dispersing of cold. Bai Shao: Contraindicated postpartum (Zhu Danxi stated, “its sour-cold nature damages the qi of growth and renewal”; if necessary, it may be used after stir-frying with wine). Chi Shao: Use with caution in patients with blood deficiency, as its blood-moving properties may worsen the condition. Not suitable for patients with yang deficiency and cold syndrome. Incompatible with Mirabilite (Máng Xiāo) and Dendrobium (Shí Hú); antagonistic to Turtle Shell (Biē Jiǎ) and Cirsium (Xiǎo Jì); antagonistic to Veratrum nigrum (Lí Lú).
Selected Formulas
Danggui Shaoyao San (from Jin Gui Yao Lve) Ingredients: Danggui (Angelica Root) 3 liang, Shaoyao (Peony Root) 1 jin, Fuling (Poria) 4 liang, Baizhu (White Atractylodes) 4 liang, Zexie (Alisma) 1/2 jin, Chuanxiong (Ligusticum Rhizome) 1/2 jin. Preparation: Grind the six ingredients into a powder. Efficacy: Nourishes blood, harmonizes the liver, strengthens the spleen, and promotes diuresis. Indications: Abdominal pain during pregnancy. Dosage: Take a spoonful (about 2–3g) with wine, three times daily. Shaoyao Gancao Tang (from Shang Han Lun) Ingredients: Bai Shao (White Peony Root) 4 qian, Gancao (Licorice) 2 qian. Efficacy: Softens the liver, harmonizes the spleen, and relieves spasmodic pain. Indications: Abdominal pain due to liver qi attacking the spleen.
Daily Consumption
Bai Shao and Pork Liver Soup: Take 10g of Bai Shao, 5g of Cinnamon Twig (Guì Zhī), 3 slices of ginger, 3 jujube dates, and 100g of pork liver. Decoct the Bai Shao, Cinnamon Twig, and other herbs, strain to obtain the liquid, then cook the pork liver in it. This soup helps harmonize the body and nourish blood. Si Wu (Four-Ingredient) Meat Soup: Take 5g of Bai Shao, 5g of Rehmannia (Shú Dì), 5g of Danggui (Dāng Guī), 3g of Chuanxiong (Chuān Xiōng), and 250g of chicken or lean pork. Stew together for 1 hour. This soup helps nourish blood and regulate menstruation. Peony Flower Tea: Take one fresh peony flower, rinse it, and steep in boiling water for 5 minutes. Drink as a tea. It helps nourish the blood, soften the liver, astringe yin, and stop sweating. Compatibility: Bai Shao is often combined with Baizhu (Bái Zhú) to strengthen the spleen; with Renshen (Rén Shēn) and Huangqi (Huáng Qí) to tonify qi; with Danggui (Dāng Guī) and Shudi (Shú Dì) to nourish blood; with Chuanxiong (Chuān Xiōng) to soothe the liver; with Gancao (Gān Cǎo) to stop abdominal pain; and with Huanglian (Huáng Lián) to stop diarrhea and dysentery.
Medicinal Parts
Dried root.
Selection & Storage
Store in a well-ventilated, dry place, protected from moisture and insects.