Korean Red Peony vs Blue Cohosh Root

Cultivated peony variety used in Korean Hanbang medicine as a blood tonic and antispasmodic herb for menstrual and muscle pain.

Native North American herb used by Penobscot, Ojibwe, and other tribes to facilitate labor and treat menstrual disorders. Controversial due to uterine stimulant activity.

paeoniflorin, albiflorin, oxypaeoniflorin, benzoic acid

caulosaponin, cauloside D, taspine, baptifoline

blood tonic for women in Korean medicine, treatment of menstrual cramps, muscle spasm remedy

Stimulate labor at term, Treat menstrual disorders, Menstrual cramps, Traditional Native American childbirth medicine

antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, blood tonic

Uterotonic, Antispasmodic, Anti-inflammatory, Emmenagogue

6-15g dried root decoction or 400mg extract

1-2ml tincture or 1g dried root tea; term pregnancy only under supervision

pregnancy - avoid large doses, diarrhea conditions - cold nature

Pregnancy except at term under supervision, Heart disease, Cardiovascular disease

GI distension in cold constitution

Fetal distress if misused, Nicotinic-like toxicity, Heart arrhythmias