Bai Shao (Yao) - 白芍 - Radix Paeoniae Alba - White Peony Root
| Pharmaceutical Latin: | Radix Paeoniae Alba |
| Common English: | Peony White Peony Root |
Category
Herbs that Tonify the BloodProperties
| Taste | Temperature | Entering Meridians | Dosage |
| Bitter Sour | Mildly Cold (Cool) | Liver Spleen (Lung) | 5-30g Tincture: 2-4ml 6-15g (Secondary source) |
Actions And Indications
| Actions | Indications/Syndromes |
Nourishes the Blood and regulates menstruation | Liver Blood Deficiency with menstrual dysfunction, vaginal discharge and uterine bleeding accompanied by a pale face, a lusterless complexion and dull, lusterless nails Anemia Breast distention and premenstrual syndrome |
Astringes Yin and adjusts the Ying and Wei | Yin Deficiency sweating Sweating due to Yin Collapse Disharmony between the Liver and Spleen Disharmony between the Ying and Wei with non-productive sweating |
Calms Liver Yang and Liver Wind and alleviates pain | Liver Qi Stagnation with Liver Yang Rising Liver Wind with Yin and Blood Deficiency Bi syndrome due to Blood Deficiency with pain and spasms |
| Softens the Liver and relieves pain | Diarrhea, borborygmus and abdominal pain Dysenteric disorders with tenesmus |
Contraindications, Incompatibilities And Herb/Drug Interactions
| CONTRAINDICATIONS |
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| INCOMPATIBILITIES |
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| HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS |
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Major Combinations
| Rx. Angelicae Sinensis | Rx. Angelicae Sinensis | Rx. Angelicae Sinensis |
Dizziness, blurred vision and dysmenorrhea due to Blood Deficiency or Stasis. | Tinnitus, dizziness, blurred vision, numbness of the extremities and muscle spasms due to Liver Yin Deficiency. | Dizziness, blurred vision, and dysmenorrhea due to Blood Deficiency or Stasis with concurrent Yang Deficiency and Cold. |
| Rx. Angelicae Sinensis | Rx. Glycyrrhizae | Rx. Glycyrrhizae |
Dizziness, blurred vision, and dysmenorrhea due to Blood Deficiency or Stasis with concurrent Heat signs. | Abdominal pain due to disharmony between the Liver and Stomach. Epigastric, hypochondriac or flank pain. Muscle spasms, pain and numbness, especially in the calf, due to Blood Deficiency. Regulates the relationship between the Liver and Spleen and nourishes the sinews. | Painful spasms of the calves. |
| Rx. Scutellariae | Rx. Bupleuri | Rz. Cyperi |
Damp-Heat dysenteric disorders. | Flank pain due to Liver Qi Stagnation. | Abdominal pain with menstruation. |
Ram. cum Uncis Uncariae | Rx. Saposhnikoviae | Rx. Rehmanniae |
Headache and dizziness due to Liver Yang Rising. | Painful diarrhea and borborygmus. | Internal Stirring of Liver Wind, as in the aftermath of a febrile disease. |
Rx. Angelicae Pubescentis Or Rx. Angelicae Pubescentis | Ram. Cinnamomi | Ram. Cinnamomi |
Chronic Bi Syndrome with injury to Qi and Blood leading to spasms of the extremities. | Harmonizes the Ying and Wei in Tai Yang Zhong Feng. | Yang Deficiency with unstable exterior and muscle layers. |
Fossilia Ossis Mastodi | Rx. Angelicae Sinensis | Fr. Schisandrae Or Sm. Tritici Levis |
Spontaneous sweating and night sweats due to Yin Deficiency. | Nourishes Yin and Blood. | Night sweats. |
Rx. Astragali | Rx. Scutellariae | Cx. Albizziae |
Restrains sweating from Deficiency. | Dysenteric disorders with abdominal pain due to Heat entering the Interior. Cools Heat and nourishes the Blood for calming the fetus which is disturbed by Heat. Liver Heat Attacking the Spleen and Stomach during pregnancy with nausea and vomiting. | Anxiety, irritability, worry and insomnia. |
Excr. Trogopterori | Rz. Zingiberis Preparatum | Rx. Scutellariae |
Menstrual disorders with Blood Stagnation, such as dysmenorrhea with clots, delayed onset or amenorrhea. | Menstrual disorders with Cold signs such as cold extremities, dark purple clots, pain aggravated by Cold and delayed menstruation. | Menstrual disorders with Heat signs such as profuse, fresh red Blood, Heat sensations or early menstruation. |
Rx. Bupleuri | Rx. Astragali | Cx. Eucommiae |
Menstrual disorders with Liver Qi Stagnation, such as pre-menstrual syndrome, bloating, irritability and distended breasts. | Menstrual disorders with Qi Deficiency signs such as fatigue, weakness and pale, scanty menstrual Blood. | Lower back pain or restless fetus due to Kidney Deficiency. |
Colla Corii Asini | Rx. Rehmanniae | Ram. Cinnamomi |
Abnormal uterine bleeding. | Muscle spasms. | Spontaneous sweating. |
Ram. Cinnamomi | Ram. Cinnamomi | Rx. Astragali |
Wind-Cold with Deficiency and perspiration. | Excess perspiration caused by inappropriate use of diaphoretics. | Bi syndrome. |
Fr. Chaenomelis | Rx. Rehmanniae | Flos Chrysanthemi |
Bone spurs. | Liver Yang Rising. | Liver Yang Rising with Liver Wind. |
Ram. Cinnamomi | Fr. Chaenomelis | Rx. Bupleuri |
Severe epigastric or abdominal pain or cramps caused by the Liver overacting on the deficient, Cold Middle Jiao. | Bi syndrome due to Cold and Deficiency of Blood. | Premenstrual syndrome. |
Rx. Scutellariae | ||
Dysenteric disorders with tenesmus. |
Notes
- It is a frequently used herb for women's disorders.
- It is used to soften and soothe the Liver.
- It plays an important role in stopping painful spasms of the abdomen and extremities, as well as abdominal pain from dysenteric disorders.
- Some sources place this herb in the Astringent category.
- It is included in formulas to prevent miscarriage caused by weakness of the Blood or Liver Stagnation.
- It is used for pain in disorders of Blood Deficiency.
- It may also be regarded as an herb that Extinguishes Wind.
- It is an herb that tonifies as well as drains.
- It enters the Spleen channel and supports the Spleen when it is attacked by Liver Qi.
- This herb pacifies the Liver, nourishes Blood and astringes Yin, whereas Rx. Paeoniae Rubra Chi Shao cools the Blood, breaks up Stagnation and clears Liver Heat. The two are frequently combined.
- Bai Shao and Rx. Angelica Sinensis Dang Gui both nourish Blood and relieve pain. Dang Gui unblocks, disperses, drains and lubricates the Intestines, whereas Bai Shao astringes Yin to extinguish Internal Wind and stop sweating, and nourishes Liver blood to soften the Liver, relieving painful cramping and other flank and abdominal pain from Liver disorders.
- Dry-fried White Peony Chao Bai Shao is less cold, while its ability to nourish Blood, harmonize the collaterals, moderate the Spleen, relax the Liver and relieve pain is increased. It is used for Spleen Deficiency or Spleen and Liver Disharmony with diarrhea and abdominal pain.
- Earth-fried White Peony Tu Chao Bai Shao is used for nausea or diarrhea with abdominal pain caused by Spleen and Stomach Deficiency.
- Wine-fried White Peony Jiu Chao Bai Shao invigorates the Blood mildly and is used when Blood Deficiency occurs together with Blood Stasis or Cold.
- Vinegar-fried White Peony Cu Chao Bai Shao is stronger at softening the Liver, relieving pain and stopping bleeding, and is used to nourish Blood and tonify the Liver. In combination, it treats irregular menstruation or metrorrhagia caused by disharmony between the Chong and Ren channels.
- Charred White Peony Bai Shao Tan is best for retaining Blood and stopping bleeding. It also helps to reduce diarrhea and dysenteric disorders.
From Class
- Bai Shao & Shao Yao Tang (month 8): Nourishes blood and yin, calms Liver blood/wind, clears heat/toxin and moves the bowels; mother conserves energy for delivery. (Lewis)
- Ripening the baby: Bai Shao, turtle shells, Dan Shen; 'ripen the baby' formula: Tonify qi and blood to fatten the baby (Bai Shao) and make it 'slippery' (turtle shells, Dan Shen) — relatively contraindicated earlier for that reason. (Lewis)