Evidence supporting the use of: Peony
For the health condition: Heart (weakness)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Peony (Paeonia species), particularly White Peony Root (Paeonia lactiflora), has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for centuries. In TCM, peony is classified as a herb that nourishes the blood and is often included in formulations intended to support the Heart, particularly in cases of “Heart deficiency” or “Heart blood weakness.” This traditional concept refers to symptoms such as palpitations, insomnia, anxiety, and poor memory, which in TCM are attributed to insufficient nourishment of the Heart by blood. Peony is believed to “tonify” the blood and calm the spirit, thereby supporting Heart health according to TCM theory.

However, there is limited direct scientific evidence linking peony specifically to the treatment of cardiac weakness or heart failure in the biomedical sense. Most scientific research on peony and its constituents, such as paeoniflorin, focuses on its anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and immunomodulatory effects. Some animal and in vitro studies suggest potential cardiovascular benefits, such as vasodilation and anti-arrhythmic properties, but these findings are preliminary and not robustly linked to treating “heart weakness” as understood in modern medicine. Therefore, while peony is traditionally used for heart-related symptoms in TCM, the evidence supporting its efficacy for this purpose is primarily historical, with a modest evidence rating.

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