The difference between peony root and white peony root, one article will explain it to you

🌸In the wonderful world of Chinese medicine, peony and white peony are often confused. Are the two just slightly different in name, or are there many differences in essence❓

The differences between peony and white peony are generally as follows:

👉Definition and Scope: Peony is A perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the genus Paeonia of the Ranunculaceae family, it is widely distributed in nature and its species are rich and diverse. White peony root is taken from the root of Paeonia lactiflora and becomes a traditional Chinese medicine after a series of specific processing. Generally, the roots of peony are dug out first, then the outer skin, impurities, etc. are removed, and then they are carefully cooked through processes such as boiling and drying.

👉Effects and indications: White peony root mainly has the functions of nourishing blood and regulating menstruation, astringing yin and stopping sweating, softening the liver and relieving pain, and calming liver yang. It is often used to treat blood deficiency and chlorosis, irregular menstruation, spontaneous sweating, and night sweats. , hypochondriac pain, abdominal pain, headache, dizziness and other symptoms. Peony has the effects of clearing heat, cooling blood, dispersing blood stasis and relieving pain, and is often used to improve symptoms such as skin plaques, dry mouth and nose bleeding.

👉 Appearance differences: The peony plant is upright, about 60-120 cm high, with bi- and triple- compound leaves and multi-colored and large flowers. The root of white peony root is long cylindrical, 10-30 cm long, with a light brown or almost white appearance and a characteristic texture in its cross-section.

How to use white peony and peony:

▶Decoction and drink: Both peony and white peony can be combined with other Chinese medicinal materials to make decoction. For example, in prescriptions for treating irregular menstruation, they can be used together with herbs such as Angelica sinensis and Ligusticum chuanxiong.

▶Prepared into pills or powders: Peony and white peony can be made into pills or powders. For example, in some traditional Chinese medicine compounds for replenishing qi and blood, peony or white peony root is dried and crushed, and then mixed with other medicinal materials to make pills or powders, which are easy to store and take, and are used to improve symptoms such as insufficient qi and blood.

🌈Please refer to the pictures for the precautions when using white peony and peony. Understanding these differences can make us safer and more effective when using white peony and peony to treat diseases and maintain health.