Herb of the Month: White Peony Root by Marcie Griffith and Bethany Hauch
by Marcie Griffith and Bethany Hauch
Pinyin: Bai Shao
Bai Shao is also used in combination with other herbs to relax the muscles and treat pain and spasms. Thus it is a useful herb in formulas for musculoskeletal injuries, chronic muscle tension, certain types of headaches, abdominal cramping and pain, and general stressrelated tension.
Bai Shao, or White Peony Root, is a very common herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine - many of you have probably had herbal formulas that included this herb! Bai Shao is used to nourish the blood energy of the body, which makes it useful in treating symptoms such as scanty periods, trouble sleeping, fatigue, dizziness, and slow wound healing. It also gently helps energy circulate in the body, and supports the soothing effects of other Qi-moving herbs. Because it is both nourishing and moving, it is a wonderful herb for gynecological issues, and is found in many formulas to treat irregular, painful, or missed periods.
This herb is very harmonizing, meaning that it helps various systems in the body work in harmony with one another. It supports the immune system, nourishes the reproductive system, and soothes digestive function.
Bethany Hauch, LicAc, MAOM, Dipl.OM Marcie Griffith, LicAc, MAOM, Dipl.OM Stepping Stone Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine 180 Linden St., Suite 7E, Wellesley, MA 02482 781-898-4083 info@steppingstoneacu.com www.steppingstoneacu.com Healthy Living Magazine
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Online Issue May/June 2012