Peony

Paeonia officinalis

COMMON NAMES

• Peony

Peony is a perennial plant which occurs in the wild as well as being cultivated in a number of gardens. Peony has distinguishing large, solitary, red or purplish-red flowers somewhat resembling roses, a green and juicy stem between two and three feet high, and a thick, knobby rootstock.

A peony common to the West Coast is the California peony (P. californica). It has inch-wide, hanging, maroon and red flowers atop fleshy 6-to-18-inch-high stems. The foliage is an attractive blue-green during the spring growing season.

A useful extract for treating gout and asthma can be made from the root. Bring 1-1/2 pints of red wine to a slow rolling boil. Add 1/4 cup chopped peony root, cover and simmer on low heat for 15 minutes. Set aside, steep for 30 minutes, strain and refrigerate. Drink one-half cup twice daily on an empty stomach. Caution: The flowers and leaves of peony can make you sick; therefore, they should not be used internally.

Peony root is very popular in Chinese medicine. Peony root is used to alleviate the pain and swelling of traumatic injuries, and to clear away congealed blood resulting from serious bumps or bruises. It is useful in the early stages of abscesses, boils and carbuncles.

The gorgeous peony has been immortalized in classical Chinese paintings, with its creamy pastel blossoms often accentuated by birds, butterflies, or clouds. In China the peony is found wild and is also extensively cultivated. In the United States and Europe peony is also highly valued as a garden ornamental. Peony flowers are large, delicate, and showy. Usually red, white, or pink, they bloom in May and June atop stalks rising from a lush, deep green clump of foliage. Although the flowers fade as summer begins, the foliage remains well into the first frosts of autumn, making an attractive low bush about 2 or 3 feet high.

Peonies are perennial and require little care once they are well established. They prefer a rich, loose soil and a location in full sun or partial shade. Prepare the planting bed a week or two ahead of time to allow the soil to settle, and enrich it with compost and bone meal. Peonies are most often propagated by root cuttings, which can be planted from late August until the first hard frost. Select a piece of root that contains at least three "eyes" and set it with the eyes pointing up, 2 or 3 inches below the soil surface. Tamp down the earth and water thoroughly. Plants should be spaced 3 to 5 feet apart in order to provide ample growing room. Mulch the plants during their first winter. In the following spring they may need support for their branches, too.

Peony plants are usually left undisturbed, but after several years, or whenever the flowers begin to get smaller and the stems get too crowded, they should be divided. Division provides a good opportunity for harvesting some of the roots, which are the part of the plant used medicinally. Dig a circle 1 1/2 to 2 feet around the base of each plant, and about 1 foot deep. Carefully lift out the whole clump of stems and let the plant sit undisturbed for several hours. Then cut off the foliage 2 or 3 inches above the crown and gently wash excess dirt from the roots. With a sharp knife, cut apart sections of the root. For replanting, leave at least three eyes on each section; for harvesting, select fresh, firm and unspoiled root material. Wash and slice the harvested roots into thin pieces, then dry them on screens in a warm, sunny place.

Peony roots are used in both Chinese and European herbology. Researchers in China found that they contain sedative and analgesic properties. Because of these analgesic properties, peony root has also been used by Chinese herbalists to relieve headaches, gastric pain, and bladder infections. In the Orient, peony root is especially valued for women. It is used to relieve menstrual pain and to support a healthy pregnancy and childbirth. European herbalists use peony's reputed sedative, antispasmodic property in treating convulsions and epilepsy, also. An infusion in the ratio of 1 ounce dried root to 1 pint of boiled water is made when using peony as a simple. In Oriental medicine, peony root is used in a great number of herb formulas.

While the lovely flowers are not usually used in a therapeutic way (except for their beauty), they can be used in making scented waters and lotions. Peony water is easy to make. Place 1/2 cup of fresh, macerated peony petals in 1 cup of cold water in a Pyrex pot. Let the mixture steep for 30 minutes, then heat it gently for 10 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and strain off the petals. Refrigerate the water and use it within one week as a face or body refresher. Peony water can be added to a soothing warm bath, too.

PARTS USED

Root, bark.

USES

While it is rarely used in contemporary European herbal medicine, peony is thought to be antispasmodic and sedative. The root may be employed to treat whooping cough and nervous irritation, and suppositories are sometimes made of the root to relieve anal and intestinal spasms.

Other medical uses
Homeopathy.

HABITAT AND CULTIVATION

Peony is native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean region. Peony is found in mountain woodlands and is widely cultivated as a garden plant. The root is unearthed in autumn.

CONSTITUENTS

Peony is thought to contain paeonine, a volatile oil, tannins, and resin.

APPLICATIONS

ROOT - P. LACTIFLORA (RED):

DECOCTION - Use up to 45 g herb in 600 ml water (enough for three doses) for any condition involving overheated blood, including certain types of eczema, skin inflammations, nosebleeds, and pain associated with injury. Best in combination with herbs such as mu dan pi (P. suffruticosa) and fang feng.

ROOT - P. LACTIFLORA (WHITE):

DECOCTION - Take for liver-associated problems and some menstrual disorders. As a regular tonic, ideal for women and reputed to beautify the skin, decoct 20 g bai shao yao and 5 g licorice root for 15 minutes with 500 ml water, and drink two half-cup doses a day.

ROOT BARK - P. SUFFRUTICOSA:

DECOCTION - Use 30 g herb in 600 ml water (enough for three doses) in combination with other herbs such as sheng di huang for feverish conditions involving nosebleeds, or add to remedies for hot, dry eczema. Combine with shu di huang, shan zhu yu, fu ling, ze xie, and shan yao for liver disharmonies.

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