Evidence supporting the use of: Peony
For the health condition: Asthma

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

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

Peony (Paeonia lactiflora), particularly its root, has a long-standing role in traditional medicine systems such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). In TCM, peony (known as "Bai Shao" or "Shao Yao") is used in various herbal formulas to "nourish the blood," "soothe the liver," and "alleviate pain." It is often combined with other herbs to treat respiratory conditions, including asthma. Historical texts and modern TCM practice suggest that peony is believed to help relax smooth muscles, reduce inflammation, and modulate the immune response, all of which could theoretically support asthma management. However, these claims are largely based on traditional empirical use rather than robust clinical studies.

On the scientific front, some preclinical research has investigated the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of peony root extracts and its main active compounds (such as paeoniflorin). Animal and in vitro studies suggest these constituents may inhibit airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness, which are central to asthma pathology. Nevertheless, high-quality clinical trials in humans are lacking, and peony is not recognized by major medical guidelines as an evidence-based treatment for asthma. Thus, while traditional use is well-documented, scientific validation remains limited, justifying a moderate evidence rating of 2.

More about peony
More about Asthma

Other ingredients used for Asthma

adrenal cortex
alpha-pinene
apple
ashwagandha
waterhyssop
bamboo
barberry
basil
beet
myrobalan
benegut perilla (proprietary)
beta caryophyllene
betel
bifidobacterium longum
black cumin
black currant
black garlic
black pepper
radish
Indian frankincense
bасора
caffeine
cannabis sativa oil
carrot
caterpillar mushroom
Chinese salvia root
citrus oil
clove
cordyceps
cowage seed
turmeric
curcumin
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fennel
fish oil
flavonols
forskohlii root
garlic bulb
ginger
ginkgo biloba
ginseng
glehnia root
gooseberry
greek mountain tea
green lipped mussel
onion
green tea
heartwood
horseradish
Indian gum arabic tree
Indian tinospora
jujube
kudzu
licorice root
luteolin
magnesium
marine lipid
marshmallow
mastic gum
moringa
mustard seed
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
omega-3 fatty acids
ophiopogon root
orange
oregano
pear
perilla
phellodendron amurense
phytocannabinoids
pine bark
plantain
platycodon root
plum fruit
polygala root
pumpkin
quail egg
quercetin
raspberry
reishi mushroom
rhizome
rosemary
schizonepeta
scrophularia root
shiitake mushroom
slippery elm bark
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
sphaeranthus indicus
spirulina
thyme
triphala
almond fruit
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
seaweed
watercress
wheat grass
mulberry
zhejiang fritillary
squawvine
mullein
parthenium
tangerine
typhonium
xanthium (cockleburs)
gastrodia
hyssop
cardamom
atractylodes
lobelia
papaya
shen-chu
capsicum
mugwort
Indian bael
neem tree
nut grass
malabar nut
alpinia galangal
clerodendrum indicum
ferula assafoetida
hedychium spicatum
inula racemosa
anise
pistacia integerrima gall
tylophora
punarnava
commiphora
tinospora cordifolia
blackboard tree
caesalpinia crista
swertia
bee pollen
chaff flower
peony
lingzhi
lingusticum wallichii
buckthorn
fritillaria
morus
lemongrass
myrrh
yerba santa
elecampane
coltsfoot
root tuber
chrysanthemum
siler root
amber
dioscorea
dodder
fern
ganoderma
sweet flag
hyacinth bean
sweetgums
morinda
oriental arborvitae
trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
royal jelly
polyphenols
purslane
fulvic acid
menthol oil
aster root
peach
biota seed
goji berry
paw paw
horehound
herbal blend (proprietary)
indigo leaves
cocoa
cayenne pepper
soursop
1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione
Aralia
Agastache
Anamarrhena
Angel's Trumpet
Ambergris
Ardisia
Angelica
acacia
Apigenin
Auricularia
Anamu
Abrus
Asarum heterotropoides
Albizia
Aconite
Asafoetida
Ajuga
Andrographolide
Adrenergic amines
Aerva lanata
Agarwood
American Liverleaf
Astragaloside
Adrenaline
Andrographis
Alsonia scholaris
Asteracea
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Arani
Arisaema
Asarum sieboldii
Apocynin
Astragalin
Atractylone
Bee Propolis
Black Seed
Bermuda Grass
Baikal Skullcap
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
Broussonetia
bergenin
Blepharis
Balsam
Bishop's Weed
Boswellic Acid
Bayleaf
Butea monosperma
Black galingale
Barleria
Bougainvillea
Baicalein
Bee hive
Bael
Basidiomycota
Boswellia
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Banyan
Butterbur
Bee products
Black Nightshade
Bombax
Borassus Palm
Borassus aethiopum
Bacteria
Borage
Black root
banana
Bupleurum
bacoside
Baicalin
Bassia scoparia
Black Hellebore
Balloon Flower
Belamcanda
Bergenia
Boerhavia diffusa
Borneol
Bird's nest
Cumin
Chinese Silkvine
Curry leaf
Caryophyllene
California chia
Cinnamomum
Chinese Mountain Ant
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Cod Liver Oil
Cortisol
Codonopsis
Cnidium
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Cactus
Capillary Artemisia
Citron
Curcuminoid
Carry Me Seed
Citrus
Cineole
Catecholamine
Chinese Raisintree
Chlorophytum
Cowherb
Curcumen
Coca
Cinnamic Acid
Chocolate
Chinese Ligustrum berry
Cinidium
Centipeda
Cubeb
Curcuma
cypress
Chaenomeles lagenaria
Clostridium butyricum
Coin-leaf desmodium
Chinatree
Cyanthillium cinereum
Costus
Chekiang Fritillary
cola nut
Celosia
Clerodendrum indicum
DIVI-DIVI
Dragonhead
Desmodium
Dichrostachys glomerata
Ephedra
European Elder
Erythropalum scandens
Erodium cicutarium
Eclipta
Echinodorus
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Essential Oil Blend
Elephant's Head
Euphorbia
Ephedrine
Embelia
Fig
Goldthread
Garlic
Galangal
Himalayan Salt
Ivy
Lotus
Little ironweed
Mustard
Mallow
Orchid
Spikenard
Sandalwood
Sumac
Theophylline
Vervain
Zucchini