Peony – Paeonia officinalis L.
Description of peony:
Paeonia officinalis L.
(Other names: garden peony or red peony, medicinal peony or St. George’s flower, peony, peony)
Recognised as a medicinal plant in the ancient world, its Greek name Paionia is derived from the Greek name Paion, a nickname for Paion, the healing god, the physician of the goddess world.
Our ornamental plant that blooms around Pentecost. This popular ornamental plant is also a medicinal plant, not included in the Hungarian Pharmacopoeia, but its flowers and seeds are still bought by the herbal merchants. The petals of the flower are known as flores paeoniae and the seed as semen paeoniae. Its petals contain tannic acid and were used by the people to treat severe diseases. It was also used to decorate incense powder for its beautiful red colour. So, as well as decorating our gardens, peonies can also be sold. If you want to deliver beautiful flower petals to the herbalist, you should keep the large and full-flowered peonies, which are dark red in colour, because they have more petals than the single-flowered ones.
In the centre of the flower are 2-5 separate monoecious thick-walled seed pods, in which many black seeds are formed. The petals should be picked in sunny, dry, sunny weather, after the dew has dried. Petals picked in dry conditions should be dried quickly in a shady, airy place and, when dry, should be kept away from light and air, otherwise they lose their colour.
The dried peony petals should be a pleasing, beautiful dark brown colour. For seed, single-flowered peonies are preferable, as they are more likely to set seed. The peony seed is egg-shaped, hard-walled, smooth, shiny, black or dark reddish brown. The peony seed is strung up in a so-called “ageing” fashion and hung around the child’s neck to aid teething.
It is also found in the Chinese pharmacopoeia, has been cultivated in Japan for a very long time as an ornamental and medicinal plant, and is important in traditional medicine in the Far East. A favourite flower of Chinese emperors, it is mentioned as a medicinal plant as early as around 500 AD.
In Lojang (China), the annual peony flowering festival is held in Wangcheng Park, one of the oldest ornamental and medicinal plants.
Occurrence:
Originating in China, it is widespread in southern Europe, Asia Minor, Asia as far south as the Alps.
Active ingredients:
Although peony seed was previously thought to contain no active ingredient, and was therefore used not so much for medicinal purposes as for superstition (amulets, toothpastes), it was even used as a spice.
The flowers contain anthocyanin dyes, paeonine, flavonoids, tannins, and the roots contain monoterpene ester glycosides and tannins.
The plant also contains peoniflorin (0.5% in the root), which has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and sedative properties. In turn, peonol (and its derivatives are also found) has antibacterial and anticoagulant properties, which prevents platelets from sticking together and thus the risk of blood clots.
Care and reproduction:
Peonies require regular fertilisation, dislike having their roots disturbed and dead nests should be removed/pruned in spring, but can be done in autumn to overwinter. They prefer cool winters, deep, moist and nutrient-rich chalky soil.
Their typical and specific disease is peony wilt, caused by a mould fungus (Botrytis), but they can also be attacked by nematodes and leaf spot can occur.
Propagation:
By sowing seeds in autumn and spring, but herbaceous varieties can be propagated by cutting in autumn or spring (3-5 buds should be present), but do not plant too deep. It likes sun and space, so occasional shade is not a problem, but it is best if it always gets sun as it tolerates drought. You can leave it in the same place for several years, it will pay you back, it will live up to 70-80 years in the same place. It will not flower the first year after planting, but will flower the second year.
Use:
Peony
Previously harvested in autumn around October-November, but only from the second year onwards. The collected dope was dried and used as a boil or decoction. Externally it was used for eczema, rheumatism and rheumatic pains.
Internally, for pain relief, anti-inflammation, stomach and intestinal cramps, irregular and spasmodic menstruation (in traditional Chinese medicine, for the treatment of female genital diseases). White peony has been scientifically proven to have hormonal effects. It can be used in combination with liquorice for pains and menstrual disorders. White peony can also be used as a muscle relaxant and to relieve intestinal spasms. Its fresh root is sweetly bitter and astringent.
Also used in the treatment of nervous disorders, mixed with other herbs such as black wormwood and star anise.
Its aqueous extract has also been consumed as a liver and blood purifying drink in the past, and a decoction of its root with wine for gout complaints.
The Chinese consider the red root (Chi Shao) to be a sedative (poisonous in large doses) and analgesic, and the white root (Bai Shao) to be a blood purifier and liver stimulant. The latter is used to cure anaemia and congestion caused by circulatory disorders of the liver and uterus, but is also used for skin care.
Poisonous plant! Overdose causes gastritis and enteritis! Consumption by pregnant and breastfeeding women is prohibited! Always seek professional advice on safe and professional use!
Internally:
For rheumatic pains, stomach and intestinal spasms, during spasmodic menstruation.
As a tea infusion:
2-3 grams of chopped root in a cup of water boiled for 15 minutes, then strained, 1 cup daily before meals.
As a tea infusion:
For nervous system disorders, steep a teaspoon of chopped root in a cup of boiling water for 5-10 minutes, then after straining, drink 3 times a day.
Externally:
For eczema and rheumatic pains, especially in childhood.
Scrubs:
Soak a piece of linen or cloth in the boiling water and apply to the affected area 2-3 times a day.
Types:
- Paeonia lactiflora or P. albiflora – white or fragrant peony (wild)
- Paeonia officinalis – red or garden peony or peony (cultivars: ‘Alba Plena’, ‘Rosa Plena’)
- Paeonia officinalis ssp. banatica – Banatica peony (grown in Mecsek)
- Paeonia suffruticosa v. P. moutan – woody peony
- Paeonia rockii
Hot spring:
Béla Páter, The Wild Medicinal Plants
Andreas Wacker, Herbs in Homeopathy, ISBN:978 963 7268 71 7
Reader’s Digest, Nature’s herb garden, ISBN:978 963 9562 01 1
Reader’s Digest, Nature’s herb garden, ISBN:978 963 9562 01 1
Dr. János Zelenyák, The effects and uses of medicinal plants
Lesley Bremnes, Spices and Herbs, ISBN:963 545 041 9
Ingrid and Peter Schönfelder, Herb Guide, ISBN:963 684 124 1
János Boruzs, Useful hints for domestic herbs, ISBN:963 9246 18 23
Reader’s Digest, The Big Book of Spices and Herbs, ISBN:978 963 289 055 15
