This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before using herbs, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition.
How does Paeonia veitchii work to improve blood circulation?
Paeonia veitchii functions through active compounds like paeoniflorin and oxypaeoniflorin, which exhibit anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant properties. These constituents help inhibit platelet aggregation and reduce blood viscosity, effectively dispelling blood stasis and improving microcirculation. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this mechanism supports its primary use for invigorating blood flow and clearing heat from the blood level. Current evidence supporting these specific mechanisms is limited to animal and in vitro studies (Evidence Level C).
Can I take Paeonia veitchii with blood thinning medications?
Caution is advised when taking Paeonia veitchii with anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications. Because the herb actively promotes blood circulation and inhibits platelet aggregation, combining it with drugs like warfarin or aspirin may increase the risk of bleeding. Additionally, Traditional Chinese Medicine strictly contraindicates combining this herb with Li Lu (Veratrum), as this combination is classically considered toxic. Always consult a physician before adding this herb to a regimen involving blood thinners.
What is the recommended daily dosage for Paeonia veitchii?
The standard adult dosage for dried Paeonia veitchii root is typically 6 to 12 grams, usually prepared as a decoction. Dosages may vary depending on whether the herb is used alone or as part of a larger formula. For concentrated extracts or powders, users should adhere to product label recommendations. It is best to consult a qualified herbalist to determine the appropriate dosage for specific conditions.
Is Paeonia veitchii safe to use during pregnancy?
No, Paeonia veitchii is considered unsafe during pregnancy. As a strong blood-moving herb, it dispels blood stasis and stimulates blood flow, which can promote uterine contractions and increase the risk of miscarriage. Traditional Chinese Medicine contraindicates its use for pregnant women. Women who are breastfeeding should also avoid use unless specifically directed by a qualified healthcare provider.
What are the potential side effects of Paeonia veitchii?
Paeonia veitchii is generally well-tolerated, but some users may experience mild digestive effects such as stomach upset or loose stools. It is contraindicated for individuals with blood deficiency without stasis, as its strong moving properties may further weaken the body. If you experience adverse reactions, discontinue use immediately and consult a healthcare professional.
PubMed-compiled information sheet
This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.
Compiled from 29 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Paeonia veitchii is a medicinal herb from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau used in traditional Chinese medicine, primarily as a source of red peony root (Paeoniae Radix Rubra) [PMID:36698081, PMID:38850115].
Background
Paeonia veitchii Lynch is a well-known herb from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau south of the Himalayas [PMID:36698081]. Its dried root is one of the botanical origins of the traditional Chinese medicine known as Paeoniae Radix Rubra (Chishao) [PMID:38114171, PMID:39329953, PMID:40946821].
Traditional uses
It is traditionally employed to clear heat, cool the blood, dispel blood stasis, and alleviate pain [PMID:38850115, PMID:39329953]. It is also commonly used to treat heart disease, menstrual irregularities, uterine fibroids, arthritis, and cough, though data supporting these specific uses is poor [PMID:30000962].
Active compounds
The roots contain monoterpene glycosides (including paeoniflorin, albiflorin, benzoylpaeoniflorin, and the new glycosides paeonidanin I, J, and K), polyphenols (such as 1,2,3,4,6-Penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose, gallic acid, and naringin), and paeonols (including paeonol and paeonoside) [PMID:22070681, PMID:27268664, PMID:30000962, PMID:33155408]. Other constituents include flavonoids, proanthocyanidins, tannins, terpenoids, triterpenoids, and complex polysaccharides [PMID:30000962].
Mechanism of action
Paeoniflorin may enhance tubular repair by promoting dihydroorotate dehydrogenase-dependent epithelial cell proliferation [PMID:41475629] and inhibit melanogenesis by regulating melanin-related signal transduction [PMID:37288793]. Albiflorin may alleviate liver injury by inactivating the P38MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway [PMID:38381358]. The herb's polyphenols are described as neuroprotectants, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and antithrombic agents [PMID:22070681].
Clinical evidence
Evidence DHyperuricemia
Paeonia veitchii extract demonstrated a uric acid-lowering effect through inhibition of xanthine oxidase and regulation of renal urate transporters in mice and liver cells [PMID:38176275]
Evidence DVascular occlusive diseases
Paeoniae Radix Rubra (including P. veitchii) dose-dependently enhanced endothelial cell proliferation and migration, suggesting pro-angiogenic potential via ADAM10-NOTCH and VEGFR2-PI3K/AKT signaling [PMID:40946821]
Evidence CLiver Diseases
Paeoniflorin demonstrates hepatic protection, cholestasis alleviation, and liver fibrosis attenuation via multiple pathways including TLR4-NF-κB and PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 [PMID:32410996]
Safety & adverse effects
Paeonia is generally well tolerated, but can occasionally cause gastrointestinal upset and allergic skin reactions, particularly when applied topically [PMID:30000962].
Pregnancy & lactation
Paeony can lower serum prolactin, which might suppress lactation; therefore, it is probably best to avoid during breastfeeding [PMID:30000962]. No data exist on the safety and efficacy of peony in nursing mothers or infants [PMID:30000962].
Evidence summary
The evidence consists primarily of laboratory-based studies (cell cultures and animal models) and pharmacological reviews. There is a lack of high-level clinical trial data specifically for Paeonia veitchii, although some clinical data exists for the broader category of red peony root (Paeoniae Radix Rubra).
PubMed sources
1.PMID: 30000962 (2006) — A Pharmacological Review of Bioactive Constituents of Paeonia lactiflora Pallas and Paeonia veitchii Lynch. · Phytotherapy research : PTR
2.PMID: 27268664 (2017) — Monoterpene glycosides from Paeonia veitchii. · Journal of Asian natural products research
3.PMID: 36698081 (2023) — Illuminating the biosynthesis pathway genes involved in bioactive specific monoterpene glycosides in Paeonia veitchii Lynch by a combination of sequencing platforms. · BMC genomics
4.PMID: 22070681 (2011) — Polyphenols and neuroprotection against ischemia and neurodegeneration. · Mini reviews in medicinal chemistry
5.PMID: 38114171 (2023) — [Selection and validation of reference genes for quantitative real-time PCR analysis in Paeonia veitchii]. · Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
Government sources
No direct government monograph is available for this herb. The content below is AI-generated and has not been verified against an authoritative government source. Use the search links to check official sources before relying on this information.
6.PMID: 30144752 (2018) — Advancement in the chemical analysis of Paeoniae Radix (Shaoyao). · Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis
7.PMID: 38133706 (2024) — Comprehensive study on genetic and chemical diversity of Asian medicinal plants, aimed at sustainable use and standardization of traditional crude drugs. · Journal of natural medicines
8.PMID: 32371143 (2020) — Total glucosides of paeony: A review of its phytochemistry, role in autoimmune diseases, and mechanisms of action. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
9.PMID: 40946821 (2026) — Network pharmacology and molecular docking reveal the multi-target mechanisms of Paeoniae Radix Rubra in functional angiogenesis: Synergistic regulation of ADAM10-NOTCH and VEGFR2-PI3K/AKT signaling. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
10.PMID: 39329953 (2024) — Progress in the Study of Chemical Structure and Pharmacological Effects of Total Paeony Glycosides Isolated from Radix Paeoniae Rubra. · Current issues in molecular biology
11.PMID: 33155408 (2020) — New Insights into the Impact of Ecological Factor on Bioactivities and Phytochemical Composition of Paeonia veitchii. · Chemistry & biodiversity
12.PMID: 32410996 (2020) — Paeoniflorin, a Natural Product With Multiple Targets in Liver Diseases-A Mini Review. · Frontiers in pharmacology
13.PMID: 38176275 (2024) — Data mining-guided alleviation of hyperuricemia by Paeonia veitchii Lynch through inhibition of xanthine oxidase and regulation of renal urate transporters. · Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
14.PMID: 38850115 (2024) — Paeoniae Radix Rubra: A Review of Ethnopharmacology, Phytochemistry, Pharmacological Activities, Therapeutic Mechanism for Blood Stasis Syndrome, and Quality Control. · Chemistry & biodiversity
15.PMID: 41475629 (2026) — Paeoniflorin enhances tubular repair by promoting dihydroorotate dehydrogenase-dependent epithelial cell proliferation in cisplatin-induced chronic kidney disease. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
16.PMID: 37288793 (2023) — Paeoniflorin found in Paeonia lactiflora root extract inhibits melanogenesis by regulating melanin-related signal transduction in B16F10 cells. · Journal of cosmetic dermatology
17.PMID: 38381358 (2024) — Albiflorin Alleviates Severe Acute Pancreatitis-Associated Liver Injury by Inactivating P38MAPK/NF-κB Signaling Pathway. · Biochemical genetics