Peony Interactions Overview

Check For Interactions With Peony

Peony

Also known as
  • Paeonia lactiflora
  • Bai Shao
  • Chi Shao
  • Chinese Peony
  • Common Peony
  • Coral Peony
  • Cortex Moutan
  • European Peony
  • Jiu Chao Bai Shao
  • Moutan
  • Mu Dan Pi
  • Paeoniae Alba
  • Paeoniae Flos
  • Paeoniae Radix
  • Peonía
  • Peony Root
  • Piney
  • Pivoine
  • Pivoine Arbustive
  • Pivoine Blanche
Peony Peonies are flowering plants that belong to the genus Paeonia, which is part of the family Paeoniaceae. They are native to Asia, Europe, and western North America. Peonies are known for their large flowers, which come in a range of colors including white, pink, red, and yellow. Peonies, specifically the roots of the plant, have been historically used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for a variety of purposes, including as an antipyretic and an anti-inflammatory agent. It has also been used as a natural remedy for anxiety and stress. The flower and seeds of the plant have also been used medicinally.
There are 764 drugs known to interact with Peony

Additional Details

Is Peony Safe? Are There Any Warnings?

Peony is considered possibly safe when used orally and appropriately, short-term. Total glucosides of peony (TGP), a common preparation, has been used with apparent safety in doses of up to 1800 mg daily for up to 6 months.

Peony root extract has also been used with apparent safety at a dose of 2250 mg daily for up to 3 months. However, there is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of peony when used orally, topically, or rectally, long-term.

Therefore, caution should be exercised and it is advised to avoid prolonged use. For specific populations, it is possibly safe for children when used orally and appropriately, short-term. TGP has been used with apparent safety in children aged 1.5-4 years at doses up to 180 mg/kg daily or 1.2 grams daily for up to 12 months. Peony root extract has also been used with apparent safety in children aged 1-14 years at a dose of 40 mg/kg daily for 4 weeks. However, as with adults, there is insufficient reliable information available about the long-term safety of peony in children.

During pregnancy, peony is considered possibly unsafe when used orally. Preliminary research suggests that peony can cause uterine contractions. However, other preliminary research suggests that a combination of peony with other herbs might be safe.

Until more is known, it is recommended to avoid using peony during pregnancy. Insufficient reliable information is available about the safety of peony during lactation. Therefore, it is advisable to err on the side of caution and avoid using peony while breastfeeding.

How Is Peony Thought To Work? What Is the Mechanism of Action?

Peony is a perennial herb commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine.

The roots of peony species have various traditional uses, including as antipyretic, emetic, and for promoting menstruation or inducing miscarriage. Peony root extracts, such as total glucosides of peony (TGP), are commonly used in herbal preparations.

The exact mechanism of action of peony is not fully understood. Peony contains a wide range of constituents, including glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, and triterpenoids, among others. These compounds contribute to the potential effects of peony.

Some of the proposed mechanisms of action of peony include:

1. Anti-inflammatory effects: Peony has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties in vitro and in animal studies. It can reduce the production of pro-inflammatory factors and inhibit the activation of certain pathways involved in inflammation. 2

. Antioxidant effects: Peony exhibits antioxidant activity, which helps to neutralize harmful free radicals in the body and reduce oxidative stress.

3. Hormonal effects: Peony might have estrogenic activity, which can interact with estrogen receptors and affect hormonal signaling pathways. This could potentially be relevant for conditions influenced by estrogen levels, such as menopausal symptoms and certain types of cancer.

4. Immunomodulatory effects: Peony has immunomodulatory properties, meaning it can help regulate and modulate immune system function. It has been studied in the context of autoimmune conditions like Sjogren's syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis.

5. Neuroprotective effects: Peony has shown promise in animal studies as a potential neuroprotective agent, helping to protect against neurodegenerative diseases and preserving neuronal health.

6. Antiviral effects: Peony extracts have demonstrated antiviral activity against hepatitis B virus and herpes simplex virus in in vitro studies.

7. Other effects: Peony has been investigated for a wide range of therapeutic uses, including its potential efficacy in conditions such as pain management, hormonal imbalance, cardiovascular health, and skin health. However, further research is needed to fully understand these effects and their underlying mechanisms.

Pharmacokinetics

There is insufficient reliable information about the pharmacokinetics of peony. More research is needed to understand how the body processes and metabolizes peony components after oral or topical administration.

Interaction Overview (See Below for Full List)

Peony may interact with anticoagulant/antiplatelet drugs, clozapine, contraceptive drugs, cytochrome P450 enzymes, estrogens, phenytoin, anticoagulant/antiplatelet herbs and supplements, and herbs with estrogenic activity.

Caution should be exercised when using peony in combination with these drugs or supplements. It is advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new medication or herbal supplement to ensure safety and avoid potential interactions.

Common Side Effects to Watch For

Peony is generally well tolerated when used correctly. Common adverse effects reported with oral use include abdominal distension, anorexia, diarrhea, gastrointestinal discomfort, and nausea. Topical use may cause dermatitis.

It is important to note that more research is needed to determine the full range of possible side effects and their frequency of occurrence.

Are Supplements Standardized?

There is insufficient reliable information available about the standardization of peony supplements. Standardization ensures that the herbal supplement consistently contains a specified amount of active ingredients. In the case of peony, different preparations and extracts may have varying compositions and concentrations of active compounds. Consulting with a reputable manufacturer or healthcare professional can help ensure the quality and consistency of peony supplements.

What Is Peony Typically Used For?

Peony has been used in traditional medicine for a variety of purposes, including as an antipyretic (to reduce fever), for inducing vomiting, promoting menstruation, and inducing miscarriage. In current herbal medicine practice, peony is commonly used for the following:

- Ageing skin: Peony is sometimes used topically for its potential benefits on ageing skin, although further research is needed to confirm its effectiveness in this area.

- Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA): Peony, specifically total glucosides of peony (TGP), has shown potential in improving symptoms in patients with JIA. - Mastalgia (breast pain): Although more research is needed, peony has been of interest in managing mastalgia.

- Neuropathic pain: Peony has been investigated for its potential in alleviating neuropathic pain, although more research is needed.

- Rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): Some clinical studies suggest that total glucosides of peony (TGP) may have modest effects in improving disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and SLE. However, further research is needed to establish its efficacy in these conditions.

It is important to note that further research is needed to establish the effectiveness of peony for these purposes. Additionally, it is recommended to consult with a healthcare professional before incorporating peony into your healthcare regimen to ensure proper usage and monitoring.

Drugs that interact with Peony

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Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

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