Paeonia lactiflora
Common garden peony
Paeonia lactiflora, commonly known as the Chinese peony, is a perennial herb prized for its stunning blooms and profound medicinal properties. Renowned in traditional practices, its roots contain bioactive compounds used to support hormonal balance, alleviate menstrual discomfort, and promote cardiovascular health, making it a cornerstone of botanical wellness.
- Scientific name: Paeonia lactiflora
- Family: Paeoniaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is situated in the order Saxifragales and the family Paeoniaceae. Finally, it is identified by its genus, Paeonia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Saxifragales | WCVP |
| Family | Paeoniaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Paeonia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Paeonia lactiflora, is referred to by various common names across different linguistic regions. In Simplified Chinese, it is known as 芍药 (zh-hans) and 芍药 (zh-cn), while in Traditional Chinese contexts, it is written as 芍藥 (zh-hant) and 芍藥 (zh-hk). Additionally, in Singapore, it is commonly identified by the name 芍药 (zh-sg).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 芍药 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 芍藥 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 芍藥 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 芍药 | Wikidata |
| zh-sg | 芍药 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 芍藥 | Wikidata |
| ru | Пион молочноцветковый | Wikidata |
| he | אדמונית עשבונית | Wikidata |
| fr | Pivoine de Chine | Wikidata |
| ko | 적작약 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence is documented in Denmark and Finland. The species can also be found growing within the territories of Sweden and Great Britain. Moving toward the center of the continent, it extends into Middle Europe. Specifically, its range includes the geographic area of Czechia-Slovakia.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Finland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Siberia | Chita | WCVP |
| Russian Far East | Amur | WCVP |
| Russian Far East | Khabarovsk | WCVP |
| Russian Far East | Primorye | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Paeonia lactiflora, is highly valued in traditional medicine for its various therapeutic components. The most significant part used for medicinal purposes is the roots, specifically the thick, fleshy root structures that develop underground. When prepared for herbal remedies, the dried root is typically harvested and processed to preserve its active compounds. Commonly referred to as peony root, this substance serves as the primary ingredient in many decoctions and tinctures. While the leaves are a visible part of the plant's foliage, they are generally not the focus of medicinal extraction compared to the potent underground portions.- Total parts
- 16
- Scientific sources
- 45
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| roots | 12 | ★★★★★ |
| root | 11 | ★★★★★ |
| dried root | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| peony root | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flowers | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dried roots | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stems | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root-bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root systems | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Paeonia lactiflora has 140 reported phytochemicals identified across 239 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include paeoniflorin, albiflorin, gallic acid, benzoic acid, benzoylpaeoniflorin.
- Total chemicals
- 140
- Scientific sources
- 239
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| paeoniflorin | 25 | ★★★★★ |
| albiflorin | 13 | ★★★★★ |
| gallic acid | 11 | ★★★★★ |
| benzoic acid | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| benzoylpaeoniflorin | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| catechin | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| flavonoids | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| paeonol | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Paeoniflorin | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| galloylpaeoniflorin | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
Activities
Paeonia lactiflora has 18 reported activities identified across 29 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Neuroprotective, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antidiabetic.
- Total activities
- 18
- Scientific sources
- 29
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Neuroprotective | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiinflammatory | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticonvulsant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihyperglycemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antilithic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Paeonia lactiflora has 65 reported medicinal uses identified across 81 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include depression, anti-allergic, Parkinson's disease, antioxidant, apoptosis.
- Total uses
- 65
- Scientific sources
- 81
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| depression | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| anti-allergic | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Parkinson's disease | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| apoptosis | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| arthritis | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diarrhea | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastric ulcer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| liver cancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oxidative DNA damage | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |