Bai Shao
Bai Shao (白芍), a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, is the dried root of the peony plant, Paeonia lactiflora Pall. It is harvested in summer and autumn, cleaned, and then boiled in water to remove the skin before drying. Bai Shao is known for its functions of nourishing blood, regulating menstruation, astringing Yin, and alleviating pain. It is commonly used for conditions such as blood deficiency, irregular menstruation, spontaneous sweating, night sweats, flank pain, abdominal pain, limb cramps, and headaches with dizziness.
Bai Shao Images
Bai Shao Images
Bai Shao Images
Bai Shao ImagesBai Shao IntroductionHerb Name: Bai Shao Pinyin: Bái Sháo Alias: Shao Yao, Hang Shao, Hao Shao, Chuan Shao. Source: This herb is the dried root of the peony plant, Paeonia lactiflora Pall. It is harvested in summer and autumn, cleaned, and then boiled in water to remove the skin before drying. Characteristics: The herb is cylindrical, straight or slightly curved, with flat ends, measuring 5-18 cm in length and 1-2.5 cm in diameter. The surface is whitish or light reddish-brown, smooth or with longitudinal wrinkles and fine root marks, occasionally with remnants of brownish outer skin. It is solid, not easily broken, with a relatively flat cross-section that is whitish or slightly reddish-brown, with distinct growth rings and radial rays. It has a faint aroma and a slightly bitter, sour taste. Chemical Composition: The root contains paeoniflorin, peonol, and paeoniflorin glycosides, with benzoic acid approximately 1.07%, volatile oil, fatty oil, resin, tannins, sugars, starch, mucilage, proteins, β-sitosterol, and triterpenes. Additionally, the Sichuan variety contains an acidic substance that inhibits Staphylococcus aureus. The flowers contain astragaloside, kaempferol 3,7-diglucoside, a significant amount of gallic acid (over 10%), pyrethrin 0.13%, 13-methyl-tetradecanoic acid, β-sitosterol, and pentacosane. The leaves contain tannins. Taste and Properties: Bitter, sour, slightly cold. Meridians Entered: Liver and Spleen meridians. Storage: Store in a dry place. Contraindications: Use with caution in cases of deficiency-cold abdominal pain and diarrhea. Not suitable for use with Li Lu.The Efficacy of Bai Shao
It calms the liver and alleviates pain, nourishes blood, and regulates menstruation. It is used for headaches, dizziness, flank pain, abdominal pain, limb cramps, blood deficiency, irregular menstruation, spontaneous sweating, and night sweats.
The Functions of Bai Shao
1. Antispasmodic and analgesic. It has a lowering effect on muscle tension and inhibits movement in isolated rabbit intestinal segments and in vivo rat gastric and uterine smooth muscle. 2. Sedative. Paeoniflorin has an inhibitory effect on the central nervous system. 3. Antibacterial. It has significant antibacterial effects against Staphylococcus aureus and Shigella dysenteriae. 4. Antifungal. It inhibits various skin fungi, including those causing tinea cruris, to varying degrees. Additionally, preliminary experiments have shown that Bai Shao can inhibit gastric secretion and prevent stress-induced ulcers in rats; clinical observations also indicate that Bai Shao has effects on sweating and diuresis. Usage of Bai Shao Internal use: 6-15 g. — “Chinese Pharmacopoeia” Internal use: decoction, 2-4 qian; or in pills or powders. — “Dictionary of Chinese Medicine” Internal use: decoction, 5-12 g; or in pills or powders. Large doses can be 15-30 g. — “Compendium of Materia Medica” Bai Shao CombinationsNote: The following formulas should be used under the guidance of a physician.1. For treating flank pain in women Xiang Fu Zi 4 liang (two bowls of yellow vinegar, one liang of salt, cooked until dry), Rou Gui, Yan Hu Suo (stir-fried), Bai Shao. Grind into a fine powder, take 2 qian with boiling water, at any time. (“Zhu’s Collection of Verified Medical Formulas” Bai Shao Decoction) 2. For treating dysentery with pus and blood, urgency, and abdominal heaviness Bai Shao 1 liang, Dang Gui 0.5 liang, Huang Lian 0.5 liang, Bing Lang, Mu Xiang 2 qian; Gan Cao 2 qian (stir-fried), Da Huang 3 qian, Huang Qin 0.5 liang, Guan Gui 2.5 qian. Finely chop, take 0.5 liang with 2 cups of water, decoct until 1 cup remains, take warm after meals. (“Suwen on Disease Mechanisms and Life Preservation” Bai Shao Decoction) 3. For treating abdominal pain during pregnancy Dang Gui 3 liang, Bai Shao 1 jin, Fu Ling 4 liang, Bai Zhu 4 liang, Ze Xie 0.5 jin, Chuan Xiong 0.5 jin (or 3 liang). Grind these six ingredients into a powder. Take a small spoonful mixed with wine, three times a day. (“Jin Kui Yao Lue” Dang Gui Bai Shao San) 4. For treating postpartum abdominal pain due to blood stasis Bai Shao 2 liang, Gui (remove coarse skin), Gan Cao (roasted) each 1 liang. Grind these three ingredients, take 3 qian with 1 cup of water, decoct until 7 parts remain, remove dregs, take warm, no time restriction. (“Sheng Ji Zong Lu” Bai Shao Decoction) 5. For treating dysmenorrhea Bai Shao 2 liang, Gan Jiang 8 qian. Grind into a fine powder, divide into eight packets, take one packet daily during menstruation, with yellow wine as a guide, for three consecutive weeks. (Inner Mongolia “New Medical Methods of Chinese Herbal Medicine”) 6. For treating prolonged menstrual issues in women Bai Shao 3 large liang, Gan Jiang 0.5 large liang. Finely grind, fry until yellow, pound and sift. Take 2 qian on an empty stomach, twice a day. (“Guang Li Fang”)