13-03-2018, 03:12 AM
(This post was last modified: 13-03-2018, 03:17 AM by tanysquirrel.)
I know there has been countless threads on white peony on here ( sorry if this is a repeat), just found this info to be very good.
http://aibolita.com/womens-diseases/4044...-shao.html
Paeonia lactiflora (Peony; bai shao)
Paeonia lactiflora is an important herb from the Chinese pharmacopoeia. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) three different types of peony are used—the white peony (Paeonia lactiflora), red peony (also usually from Paeonia lactiflora, but collected from wild plants and known as chi shao), and peony bark from Paeonia suffruticosa (mu dan pi). ‘Peony’ without specific reference to the type usually indicates white peony/bai shao.
In TCM, Paeonia lactiflora is commonly used in combination with Bupleurum falcatum, Ligusticum wallichii and/or Angelica sinensis for a wide range of gynaecological problems; or combined with liquorice for muscle spasm and inflammation. It is said to ‘calm the foetus’ (which may allude more to an effect on the uterine muscle than the foetus) and is considered to be safe in pregnancy.
![[Image: 133q-41.png]](http://aibolita.com/uploads/posts/2015-06/133q-41.png)
Use in gynaecology
Paeonia lactiflora is effective in the treatment of PMS, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), hyperprolactinaemia, ovulatory failure, infertility, endometriosis and adenomyosis, androgen excess, mastalgia and menopausal symptoms. These conditions have at their core various hormonal irregularities, including elevated androgens, low progesterone, high or low oestrogen, and elevated prolactin, all of which peony has been shown to influence. Menstrual pain and uterine overactivity during pregnancy also improve with the administration of peony.
In China and Japan, where peony has been widely researched, much of the experimental work has been performed using traditional Chinese formulas which contain varying numbers of different herbs. It is sometimes, therefore, not possible to draw firm conclusions about the action of peony per se; however, many of the biological effects seem to be due to paeoniflorin, a monoterpene glycoside which is the major active constituent.
In vitro experiments showed that paeoniflorin affected the ovarian follicles through its action on aromatase enzyme.161 Aromatase is widely distributed throughout the body, including the ovaries, the liver and fatty tissue. It plays an important role in the development of the follicle and the biosynthesis of steroid hormones; the functioning of the corpus luteum and ovulation; and the conversion of androgens to oestrogens in both the fatty tissue and the ovary. Prolactin, GnRH and the glucocorticoids all inhibit the activity of aromatase.
Inhibition of aromatase activity can lead to low oestrogen levels and erratic ovulation. Peony-containing formulas seem to reverse these effects and can also increase progesterone levels. Interestingly, herb formulas containing peony will normalise ovarian function when the activity of aromatase is inhibited, but do not increase hormonal activity above normal or lead to the development of multiple ovarian follicles.162
Paeoniflorin reduces the production of the androgens in a dose-dependent manner through its effect on aromatase which promotes the synthesis of oestradiol from testosterone.163 Elevated androgen levels, which can be associated with hirsutism, androgenic hair loss, acne and infertility, are seen in PCOS and obesity, and can occur after the menopause.
In menopausal women, aromatase increases the peripheral conversion (in the fatty tissue) of androgens to oestrogen and seems to reduce the incidence of hot flushes, especially when used with Angelica sinensis([b]Dong Quai). [/b]Paeonia lactiflora can also be used for post-menopausal symptoms associated with androgen excess such as androgenic alopecia, although treatment needs to be continued for many months.
Peony-containing formulas can also be used to treat lowered rates of fertility due to androgen excess. The two-herb formula, Liquorice and Peony Combination, reduces testosterone levels in women with PCOS and improves pregnancy rates.164 The LH to FSH ratio is also normalised. The same formula is also useful for the treatment of hyperprolactinaemia via an effect on dopamine receptors in the pituitary, although the lowering of prolactin levels seems to be related to a synergistic reaction between the liquorice and peony and not due to the peony alone.165
Conditions believed to be associated with relative oestrogen excess in relation to progesterone also respond well to peony-containing formulations, including adenomyosis and endometriosis,166 uterine fibroids167 and mastalgia.168 The formula which has been the subject of most research is Cinnamon and Hoelen Combination, which contains both Paeonia lactiflora and Paeonia suffruticosa as well as Cinna-momum cassia, Prunus persica (peach kernels) and Poria cocos (hoelen).
This formula is believed to act either as a GnRH antagonist, reducing levels of LH, FSH and oestrogen, or as a weak anti-oestrogen by competing with oestrogen in uterine or breast tissue.169 The exact mechanism of action of this formula is unknown, however, and it is most likely that the beneficial effects arise from a synergistic action between all herbs in the formula rather than from Paeonia lactiflora or paeoniflorin alone.
Paeoniflorin can counteract the oxytocic effect of some drugs170 and has been experimentally shown to have sedating, antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory effects.171 It is used in association with liquorice for any condition characterised by abdominal pain associated with muscle spasm. Dysmenorrhoea and overactive uterine activity during pregnancy respond to Paeonia lactiflora. (Any condition associated with pregnancy must be treated by a trained herbalist with experience in this area.)
So, what I gather from this info is that a synergistic relationship between licorice and white peony seems to make it a good combo, though you have to be careful of the long term usage of licorice. Also as mentioned in the article, WP seems to have an aromatase ability on the fatty adipose tissues, so I wonder if applying it topically (perhaps with some DMSO), would help to heighten the aromatase action at a "site specific " ratio.. i.e. applying it to the breasts will enhance the aromatase action on the fat located in the breast area.
http://aibolita.com/womens-diseases/4044...-shao.html
Paeonia lactiflora (Peony; bai shao)
Paeonia lactiflora is an important herb from the Chinese pharmacopoeia. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) three different types of peony are used—the white peony (Paeonia lactiflora), red peony (also usually from Paeonia lactiflora, but collected from wild plants and known as chi shao), and peony bark from Paeonia suffruticosa (mu dan pi). ‘Peony’ without specific reference to the type usually indicates white peony/bai shao.
In TCM, Paeonia lactiflora is commonly used in combination with Bupleurum falcatum, Ligusticum wallichii and/or Angelica sinensis for a wide range of gynaecological problems; or combined with liquorice for muscle spasm and inflammation. It is said to ‘calm the foetus’ (which may allude more to an effect on the uterine muscle than the foetus) and is considered to be safe in pregnancy.
Use in gynaecology
Paeonia lactiflora is effective in the treatment of PMS, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), hyperprolactinaemia, ovulatory failure, infertility, endometriosis and adenomyosis, androgen excess, mastalgia and menopausal symptoms. These conditions have at their core various hormonal irregularities, including elevated androgens, low progesterone, high or low oestrogen, and elevated prolactin, all of which peony has been shown to influence. Menstrual pain and uterine overactivity during pregnancy also improve with the administration of peony.
In China and Japan, where peony has been widely researched, much of the experimental work has been performed using traditional Chinese formulas which contain varying numbers of different herbs. It is sometimes, therefore, not possible to draw firm conclusions about the action of peony per se; however, many of the biological effects seem to be due to paeoniflorin, a monoterpene glycoside which is the major active constituent.
In vitro experiments showed that paeoniflorin affected the ovarian follicles through its action on aromatase enzyme.161 Aromatase is widely distributed throughout the body, including the ovaries, the liver and fatty tissue. It plays an important role in the development of the follicle and the biosynthesis of steroid hormones; the functioning of the corpus luteum and ovulation; and the conversion of androgens to oestrogens in both the fatty tissue and the ovary. Prolactin, GnRH and the glucocorticoids all inhibit the activity of aromatase.
Inhibition of aromatase activity can lead to low oestrogen levels and erratic ovulation. Peony-containing formulas seem to reverse these effects and can also increase progesterone levels. Interestingly, herb formulas containing peony will normalise ovarian function when the activity of aromatase is inhibited, but do not increase hormonal activity above normal or lead to the development of multiple ovarian follicles.162
Paeoniflorin reduces the production of the androgens in a dose-dependent manner through its effect on aromatase which promotes the synthesis of oestradiol from testosterone.163 Elevated androgen levels, which can be associated with hirsutism, androgenic hair loss, acne and infertility, are seen in PCOS and obesity, and can occur after the menopause.
In menopausal women, aromatase increases the peripheral conversion (in the fatty tissue) of androgens to oestrogen and seems to reduce the incidence of hot flushes, especially when used with Angelica sinensis([b]Dong Quai). [/b]Paeonia lactiflora can also be used for post-menopausal symptoms associated with androgen excess such as androgenic alopecia, although treatment needs to be continued for many months.
Peony-containing formulas can also be used to treat lowered rates of fertility due to androgen excess. The two-herb formula, Liquorice and Peony Combination, reduces testosterone levels in women with PCOS and improves pregnancy rates.164 The LH to FSH ratio is also normalised. The same formula is also useful for the treatment of hyperprolactinaemia via an effect on dopamine receptors in the pituitary, although the lowering of prolactin levels seems to be related to a synergistic reaction between the liquorice and peony and not due to the peony alone.165
Conditions believed to be associated with relative oestrogen excess in relation to progesterone also respond well to peony-containing formulations, including adenomyosis and endometriosis,166 uterine fibroids167 and mastalgia.168 The formula which has been the subject of most research is Cinnamon and Hoelen Combination, which contains both Paeonia lactiflora and Paeonia suffruticosa as well as Cinna-momum cassia, Prunus persica (peach kernels) and Poria cocos (hoelen).
This formula is believed to act either as a GnRH antagonist, reducing levels of LH, FSH and oestrogen, or as a weak anti-oestrogen by competing with oestrogen in uterine or breast tissue.169 The exact mechanism of action of this formula is unknown, however, and it is most likely that the beneficial effects arise from a synergistic action between all herbs in the formula rather than from Paeonia lactiflora or paeoniflorin alone.
Paeoniflorin can counteract the oxytocic effect of some drugs170 and has been experimentally shown to have sedating, antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory effects.171 It is used in association with liquorice for any condition characterised by abdominal pain associated with muscle spasm. Dysmenorrhoea and overactive uterine activity during pregnancy respond to Paeonia lactiflora. (Any condition associated with pregnancy must be treated by a trained herbalist with experience in this area.)
So, what I gather from this info is that a synergistic relationship between licorice and white peony seems to make it a good combo, though you have to be careful of the long term usage of licorice. Also as mentioned in the article, WP seems to have an aromatase ability on the fatty adipose tissues, so I wonder if applying it topically (perhaps with some DMSO), would help to heighten the aromatase action at a "site specific " ratio.. i.e. applying it to the breasts will enhance the aromatase action on the fat located in the breast area.