White Peony Root
The elegant peony root — nourishing Blood, softening the Liver, relieving cramping, and anchoring the Yin.
What Is White Peony Root?
White Peony Root (白芍, Bái Sháo) is the dried, peeled root of Paeonia lactiflora, a beloved ornamental and medicinal plant cultivated across East Asia for centuries. The whitened root — distinguished from Red Peony Root (赤芍, Chì Sháo) by its processing — has a bitter, sour, slightly cold nature. It is one of the most widely used herbs in TCM, appearing in hundreds of classical formulas for its ability to nourish Blood, soften the Liver, and relieve cramping and pain.
In TCM, the Liver stores Blood and governs the tendons. When Liver Blood is insufficient, the Liver fails to nourish and control the tendons and muscles, leading to cramping, spasm, and pain — especially in the abdomen and extremities. Bái Sháo nourishes Liver Blood, softens Liver tension, and alleviates these spasmodic pains. It also restrains Liver Yang from rising, making it valuable for headache and dizziness from Yin deficiency with Yang rising. Paired with Gān Cǎo, it forms the foundational pair Sháo Yào Gān Cǎo Tāng, one of TCM's most elegant anti-spasmodic combinations.
History & Origin
White Peony Root has been a cornerstone of Chinese herbal medicine for over two thousand years, appearing in many of Zhang Zhongjing's foundational formulas and remaining indispensable across every dynasty since.
Traditional Uses
Liver Blood Deficiency
Nourishes Liver Blood to address pallor, dizziness, blurred vision, menstrual irregularity, and muscle weakness from Blood insufficiency.
Abdominal & Muscle Cramping
Softens the Liver and relaxes spasm to relieve abdominal cramping, leg cramps, and musculoskeletal pain — especially effective paired with Gān Cǎo.
Menstrual Disorders
A primary herb in gynaecological formulas (e.g., Sì Wù Tāng) for dysmenorrhoea, irregular periods, and menstrual pain from Blood deficiency or Liver tension.
Liver Yang Rising Headache
Restrains rising Liver Yang and nourishes Liver Yin to address throbbing headaches, dizziness, and irritability from Yin deficiency with Yang excess.
Spontaneous & Night Sweats
Consolidates Yin and harmonises Ying-Wei to reduce sweating from exterior disharmony or Yin deficiency.
Dysentery & Abdominal Pain
Used in formulas for diarrhoea and dysentery with abdominal cramping, where its anti-spasmodic action relieves tenesmus and pain.
Health Benefits
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Nourishes Liver BloodReplenishes Blood stored by the Liver, addressing pallor, fatigue, menstrual irregularity, and Blood deficiency symptoms.
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Relieves Cramping & SpasmSoftens Liver tension and relaxes musculoskeletal and abdominal spasm, one of TCM's most trusted anti-cramping herbs.
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Restrains Liver YangAnchors Liver Yin to prevent Yang from rising excessively, calming headache, irritability, and dizziness.
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Consolidates YinNourishes and preserves Yin fluids, reducing pathological sweating and supporting overall Yin balance.
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Gynaecological TonicFoundational herb in women's health formulas, supporting menstrual regularity, cycle comfort, and reproductive Blood nourishment.
The information on this page is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products.