Radix Albus Paeoniae Lactiflorae White Peony Root
Also known as Bai Shao Yao
Materia Medica Data
- Category
- Herbs that Tonify Blood
- Temperature
- Cool
- Nature & Flavour
- Bitter, Sour, Cool
- Channels Entered
- LIV, SP
- Latin (pharmaceutical)
- Radix Albus Paeoniae Lactiflorae
- Chinese
- 白芍
- Tone Marks
- bái sháo
- Also Known As
- Bai Shao Yao
- Translation
- White Peony
Chinese Herb Actions
- Nourishes Blood and Preserves Yin For Liver Blood Deficiency with symptoms such as dizziness, tinnitus, pale and dull complexion, and pale and brittle nails. For Liver Blood and Yin Deficiency causing Wind due to long standing heat from febrile disease with symptoms such as twitches, tremors, muscle spasms, alternating extension and flexion of the hands and feet, tonic-clonic spasms, or convulsions.
- Nourishes Blood and Regulate the Menses For chronic Liver Blood Deficiency causing Deficiency in the Ren and Chong Channels with symptoms such as dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation, uterine bleeding, vaginal discharge, postpartum disorders, gestational disorders, and spermatorrhea.
- Nourishes the Ying Level, Preserves the Yin, and Adjusts the Wei For night sweating where the Yang moves to the inside of the body during the night, forcing out body fluids. For spontaneous sweating where the Wei Qi is weak and can not properly control the opening and closing of the skin pores.
- Calms Liver Yang and Subdues Liver Wind For Liver Yang rising caused by Liver Yin and Blood Deficiency with symptoms such as ringing in the ears, dizziness, vertigo, red eyes, flushed face, irritability, anger, headaches, and poor balance. In severe cases, there may be delirium, convulsions, or loss of consciousness.
- Softens and Comforts the Liver and Alleviates Pain For pain, cramps, or spasms in the sinews, tendons, and muscles. Also used to relieve pain in the intercostal, hypochondriac, and abdomen areas.
Chinese Herb Dosage
- 5-10 grams (Up to 30 Grams can be used in severe cases)
Chinese Herb Combinations:
- Bai Shao (Radix Albus Paeoniae Lactiflorae)
- Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri)
- Bai Shao (Radix Albus Paeoniae Lactiflorae)
- Chi Shao (Radix Rubrus Paeoniae Lactiflorae)
- Bai Shao (Radix Albus Paeoniae Lactiflorae)
- Gan Cao (Radix Glycyrrhizae)
Chinese Herb Contraindications & Cautions
- Do not use in cases of Yang Deficiency and Cold in the Middle Jiao with symptoms such as diarrhea
- Do not use in patients with rashes that are not completely expressed from External Wind, or with eczema.
- Do not use in postpartum cases with bleeding or Blood Stagnation.
- This herb may cause sedation and drowsiness and should be used cautiously by patients operating machinery.
This herb is incompatible with:
- Li Lu (Radix Et Rhizoma Veratri)
Sources & References
Compiled and edited by Thomas Dehli, Founder & Editor, Sacred Lotus
The information here is referenced from numerous sources — teachers, practitioners, class notes from Five Branches University, the books below, and the published research literature, with citations given as resolvable PubMed identifiers. Where sources disagree, I have flagged the discrepancies directly. If facts couldn't be verified, I have left them out. How we source our content.
Reference information for students and practitioners — not medical advice. Consult a qualified practitioner. Terms of use.
Chinese Herbs Books & References
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