Paeoniae Radix: Clinical Analysis of White and Red Peony Root
Paeoniae Radix (Peony Root) is a vital medicinal herb in East Asian medicine, primarily categorized into White Peony (Baishao) and Red Peony (Chishao). While both originate from Paeonia lactiflora, their therapeutic directions—nourishing vs. clearing—offer a fascinating study in medicinal duality.
[Prof. Baek’s Medical Insight: Clinical Summary]
The “Softening” Power: Managing Internal Tension
- • Softening the Liver (柔肝): The most profound clinical value of White Peony is its ability to “soften” a tense Liver, effectively alleviating muscle spasms and emotional irritability.
- • Nourishing vs. Clearing: White Peony (Baishao) is the “gentle nourisher” that preserves Yin, while Red Peony (Chishao) is the “fierce clearer” that invigorates blood stasis.
- • Constitutional Agility: Especially beneficial for Lesser Yin (So-eum) types, providing necessary “fluidity” to a system prone to internal cold-tension.
| 약물명 | 작약, Red peony, Red peony root, White peony root, 함박꽃 |
|---|---|
| 라틴명 | Paeoniae Radix |
| 학명 | Paeonia lactiflora Pallas (작약) |
| 기원 | 작약 Paeonia lactiflora Pallas 또는 기타동속근연식물 (작약과 Paeoniaceae)의 뿌리 |
| 성미와 귀경 | 백작약(白芍藥): 쓰고 시고(苦酸) 약간 차다(微寒). 간(肝)과 비경(脾經)에 작용한다. 적작약(赤芍藥): 쓰고 차다(苦寒). 간경(肝經)에 작용한다. |
| 효능 | 청열양혈(淸熱凉血) 거어지통(祛瘀止痛) 양혈렴음(養血斂陰) 평화간양(平和肝陽) 유간지통(柔肝止痛) |
| 적응증 | 혈열증, 혈허증, 음허증, 기체증(어혈) |
| 복용량 | 8~12g |
| 이로운 체질 | 소음인 |
| 해로운 체질 | 소양인 |
Origin & Classification
Paeoniae Radix originates from the roots of Paeonia lactiflora Pallas. The processing (Pao Zhi) determines its clinical focus:
- White Peony (Paeoniae Radix Alba): Peeled and boiled. It excels at nourishing blood and calming the Liver Yang.
- Red Peony (Paeoniae Radix Rubra): Used raw with skin. It focuses on clearing blood heat and resolving blood stasis (祛瘀).
Therapeutic Properties
Nature & Meridians
Flavor: Bitter, Sour, and Sweet.
Property: Slightly Cold. Acts on the Liver and Spleen meridians.
Constitutional Focus
Beneficial: Lesser Yin (So-eum) – Helps with blood deficiency.
Caution: Lesser Yang (So-yang) – Its cooling nature must be balanced.
Clinical Synergy & Mechanisms
1. The Yin-Yang Balance (Guizhi + Baishao)
In Guizhi Tang, White Peony Root (Yin) anchors the dispersing action of Cinnamomi Ramulus (Yang). This prevents excessive sweating and preserves essence.
2. Modern Spasmolytic Evidence
Research confirms that paeoniflorin acts as a natural relaxant for smooth muscles, justifying its use for abdominal cramps and tension-related pain.
