White Peony Root,Radix Paeoniae Alba,Bai Shao and Red Peony Root,Radix Paeonia Rubra,Chi Shao,Origin,function,Phytochemicals and Modern Researches.

Contents

• Basic Botanical Data Identification of White Peony Root.Radix Paeoniae Alba.
• Botanical Description of White Peony Root.
• Botanical Description of Red Peony Root.Radix Paeonia Rubra.Chi Shao.
• Origin of of White Peony Root.Radix Paeoniae Alba.
• Phytochemicals and Constituents of of White Peony Root and Red Poeny Root.
• Functions of of White Peony Root.
• Common medicinal uses of of White Peony Root.
• Pharmacological Action of of White Peony Root.
• Pharmacological Action of of Red Peony Root.
• Uses and combinations of of White Peony Root.
• How to take of White Peony Root.
• Precautions and Cautions on Use of White Peony Root.
• Safety and Acute toxicity.
• Modern Researches of White Peony Root,Red Peony Root.Paeoniflorin and Peony Root Extract.

Origin of of White Peony Root.Radix Paeoniae Alba.:

The root of Paeonia lactiflora Pall, a perennial plant of the family Paeoniaceae. Peonies are known for their large, showy blossoms. All but two species are native to Europe and Asia; Paeonia browni and Paeonia californica are found along the Pacific coastal mountains of North America.

 There are two distinct groups of peonies: the herbaceous and the tree, or moutan, peonies. The herbaceous peonies are perennials that grow to a height of almost 1 m and have large, glossy, much-divided leaves borne on annual stems produced by fleshy rootstocks. In late spring and early summer they produce large single and double flowers of white, pink, rose, and deep-crimson color.

 The fragrant Chinese Paeonia lactiflora and the European common peony (Paeonia officinalis) have given rise to most of the familiar garden peonies. Paeonia lactiflora has provided hundreds of cultivated varieties, including the Korea types, with one or two rows of petals surrounding a cluster of partially formed petals in the centre.

 The tree peonies have developed from the wild Chinese species Paeonia suffruticosa. They are shrubby, with permanent woody stems. The plants sometimes attain a height of 1.2 to 1.8 m. They begin flowering in late spring. The blossoms vary in color from white to lilac, violet, and red.

 Tree peonies require a hot, dry summer season for best growth, and they can be grafted in late summer or autumn on the roots of herbaceous peonies. A race of hybrids, developed by crossing the tree peony with the yellow Chinese Paeonia lutea, has both single and double flowers, sometimes tinged with red. Many varieties have been grafted onto supportive rootstock and so cannot be readily propagated by simple division. Peonies are seldom grown from seeds except in breeding programs; the seed takes about two years to germinate.

 The species Paeonia lactiflora is native to east Asia, and is grown on dry open stony slopes, riverbanks and sparse woodland edges in China, Siberia, Mongolia.

 White peony grows to about 0.75 m by 0.5 m. It is in flower in June, and the seeds ripen in August. The scented flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by insects. The plant is self-fertile and can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires dry or moist soil.

 In China, white peony is produced chiefly in Zhejiang, Sichuan and Anhui provinces and cultivated in all parts of China. The root is dug in summer and autumn from cultivated plants that are 4 - 5 years old, then is washed clean. After removal of the rootlets, head, tail and coase skin, it is boiled to be soften and then dried in the sun, sliced and used unprepared, or baked with vinegar ot wine.

 When the whole root is harvested it is called Chi Shao Yao (red peony root), if the bark is removed during preparation then it is called Bai Shao Yao (white peony root). Also called Chinese Peony Root.

Reference:

• 1.White Peony Root,Radix Paeoniae Alba,Bai Shao and Red Peony Root,Radix Paeonia Rubra,Chi Shao,Origin,function,Phytochemicals and Modern Researches.

This article written and edited via herbalist of MDidea Extracts Professional. They run a range of online descriptions about this herb,including general information related and summarized updating discoveries from findings of professional scientisits this field related.Describe style aimed to form a useful detecting literature space where the intertwined threshold and related questions raise out and visualize themselves.

♣ last edit date:18th,Oct.2010.