Red Peony (Chi Shao)

Three similar plants are all called peony, and different parts are used in some cases. The bark of the root of Paeonia suffruticosa is called moutan or mu dan in China, where it naturally grows. Red peony root comes from wild harvested Paeonia lactiflora or Paeonia veitchii. The bark, red peony root, and white peony root all have somewhat different properties. The color indicated does not refer to flower color. Chi shao or red peony is used for bleeding or lack of blood movement, depending on how it is prepared in Chinese Medicine. Red peony root and moutan bark have both shown antioxidant activity in test tubes, likely due to the presence of paeoniflorin, proanthocyanidins, and flavonoids. Polysaccharides found in peony bark and root have shown an ability to stimulate immune cells in the test tube.