Bai Shao (Paeonia lactiflora) is the dried root of the peony plant, with a bitter and sour taste, slightly cold nature, and is associated with the Liver and Spleen meridians. It has the effects of nourishing blood and regulating menstruation, astringing yin and stopping sweating, softening the liver and alleviating pain, and calming liver yang.
Bai Shao has been used medicinally since the earliest existing herbal texts, such as the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing.
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Effects of Bai Shao
1. Nourishing Liver Blood
It can treat blood deficiency with symptoms such as a yellow complexion, dizziness, palpitations, irregular menstruation, abdominal pain during menstruation, and excessive bleeding. It is often used in combination with Shu Di Huang (Rehmannia), Dang Gui (Angelica), and Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum).2. Astringing Yin and Stopping SweatingBai Shao enters the liver, allowing it to astringe liver qi, preventing it from becoming overly aggressive and chaotic, which can lead to chest pain. Bai Shao also astringes yin and stops sweating, harmonizing the nutritive and defensive qi, and is used for sweating due to disharmony of nutritive and defensive qi, as well as for yin deficiency night sweats.
3. Alleviating PainBai Shao’s sour and astringent properties nourish liver yin, soften the liver, and alleviate pain, treating blood deficiency and liver stagnation, as well as pain in the hypochondrium. It is often combined with Dang Gui and Chai Hu (Bupleurum) in blood-nourishing and liver-regulating formulas, such as Da Yao Fei San. Bai Shao nourishes yin blood and softens the liver, effectively addressing various pains and spasms.4. Softening the Liver and Relieving StagnationIn TCM, the liver is a vital organ responsible for the smooth flow of qi and the elimination of stagnation. If liver qi stagnates, it can lead to various conditions such as qi stagnation, blood stasis, and phlegm dampness. Bai Shao can regulate the liver and spleen, soften the liver, and alleviate pain, treating spleen deficiency with excess liver qi, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, often used with Bai Zhu (Atractylodes), Fang Feng (Saposhnikovia), and Chen Pi (Citrus).
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Combinations with Bai Shao
· Bai Shao and Chai Hu
Chai Hu focuses on soothing the liver and relieving stagnation, while Bai Shao emphasizes softening the liver and calming wind. Together, they restore the smooth flow of liver qi, achieving greater efficacy with less effort. Their combination effectively regulates liver qi.
Applicable Symptoms: Eye fatigue, dry and itchy eyes, significant decline in vision, blurred vision, accompanied by dizziness, tinnitus, insomnia, dry skin, pallor, numbness in limbs, and calf cramps..
· Bai Shao and Dang Gui
Bai Shao and Dang Gui both have blood-nourishing, liver-softening, and pain-relieving properties. Bai Shao nourishes yin, while Dang Gui nourishes blood. Together, they complement each other, nourishing blood and astringing yin without causing blood stasis or disrupting circulation.
Applicable Symptoms: Poor appetite, indigestion after eating a little, abdominal bloating and pain, diarrhea, bitter taste in the mouth, and general weakness.
· Bai Shao and Bai Zhu
Bai Zhu is sweet, bitter, warm, and drying, entering the Spleen meridian, and functions to strengthen the spleen and dry dampness, aiding in transformation. The combination of these two herbs works together to regulate the liver and spleen, tonifying qi and nourishing blood.
Applicable Symptoms: Abdominal pain, diarrhea, poor appetite, chest oppression, breast pain, and a yellow complexion.
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Precautions
· Should not be used with Li Lu (Veratrum). It is not suitable for conditions of yang deficiency and cold. During treatment, avoid cold, raw foods, and spicy, greasy foods.
· Pregnant and breastfeeding women: If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding, please inform your doctor and consult whether herbal treatment is appropriate.
· Children: Medication for children should be conducted under the guidance of a physician and with adult supervision.
· Please store herbs properly, and do not share your herbs with others.
· Avoid using copper or iron utensils for decocting herbs.
· If you are using other medications, please consult your doctor before use, and inform your doctor of all diagnosed conditions and ongoing treatments.
For informational purposes only. Please seek medical attention if you experience discomfort!
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