Tree-peony root bark / mu dan pi (牡丹皮)

Paeonia suffruticosa

Chinese

Photo credit: Aberlin

Toxicity: Low at traditional doses; paeonol generally well tolerated in animals.

Contraindications: Pregnancy (blood-moving herb, traditional caution); heavy menstrual bleeding.

Interactions: Possible additive antiplatelet effect with anticoagulants/antiplatelets.

Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Pregnancy: blood-mover, traditional caution.

Evidence level

Preclinical

Supported by laboratory or animal studies; not yet confirmed in humans.

powder · root bark

Part used: root bark

Evidence:Preclinical

in formula (Liu Wei Di Huang) · root bark

Part used: root bark

Evidence:Traditional (systematized)

decoction · root bark

Part used: root bark

Traditional use: clears heat, cools blood, invigorates blood; fevers with rash, nosebleed, menstrual disorders, abscesses

Proposed mechanism: paeonol (characteristic phenol) — anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-diabetic, hepatoprotective

Evidence:Traditional (systematized)

n/a

Chinese

Sources (1)

[E3] Cortex Moutan systematic review (origins, phytochemistry, pharmacology, safety)