Evidence supporting the use of: Peony
For the health condition: Eczema
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Peony (Paeonia lactiflora root, often called "Bai Shao" in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)) has a long history of use in East Asian herbal medicine for a variety of inflammatory and immune-related conditions, including skin ailments such as eczema. In TCM, peony is considered to have "cooling" and anti-inflammatory properties and is frequently included in multi-herb formulas designed to address "wind-dampness" or "heat in the blood," patterns that are sometimes associated with eczema and similar skin complaints. Historical texts and contemporary herbal compendia cite peony as a supportive herb for reducing itching, redness, and inflammation.
However, while its traditional use is well documented, direct modern clinical studies on peony's efficacy for eczema specifically are limited. Some laboratory and animal studies have investigated the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of peony root extracts and their active compounds (such as paeoniflorin), showing potential mechanisms that could be relevant to eczema, such as inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines and reduction of histamine release. Nevertheless, robust clinical trials in humans with eczema are lacking.
In summary, the use of peony for eczema is primarily justified by traditional practice, with a modest scientific rationale based on laboratory and animal data but insufficient direct clinical evidence. The strength of evidence is therefore rated as 2 out of 5.
Other ingredients used for Eczema
aloe veraalpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
bacillus coagulans
beta caryophyllene
bifidobacterium bifidum
bifidobacterium breve
bifidobacterium infantis
bifidobacterium lactis
bifidobacterium longum
bio ecolian (proprietary)
bisabolol
black cumin
borage oil
burdock
cannabis sativa oil
chamomile
coating
coconut milk
colostrum
curcumin
d-alpha tocopherol
evening primrose oil
forsythia
gamma linolenic acid (GLA)
gotu kola
heartwood
hemp oil
Indian tinospora
lactobacillus brevis
lactobacillus casei
lactobacillus paracasei
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
lactobacillus reuteri
lactobacillus rhamnosus
lactoferrin
lauric acid
licorice root
linoleic acid (LA)
luteolin
marine lipid
marshmallow
oat
omega-3 fatty acids
oregano
oregon grape
perilla
phellodendron amurense
plantain
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
sage
schizonepeta
scrophularia root
slippery elm bark
sphaeranthus indicus
streptococcus thermophilus
thyme
triphala
vitamin D3
vitamin E
zinc
chickweed
typhonium
xanthium (cockleburs)
papaya
neem tree
nut grass
clerodendrum indicum
paederia foetida
tinospora cordifolia
blackboard tree
caesalpinia crista
peony
dodder
fern
sweetgums
morinda
oriental arborvitae
trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
birch
polyphenols
fulvic acid
menthol oil
aster root
paw paw
melaleuca alternifolia
indigo leaves
geranium
Ash
Avens
Ardisia
Achyranthes
Anamu
Abrus
Albizia
Ajuga
Aucubin
Aerva lanata
American Liverleaf
Allantoin
Asteracea
Argan nut oil
Amor seco
Arisaema
Bee Propolis
Black Seed
Bifidobacterium
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Babchi
Baphicacanthus cusia
Broussonetia
Balsam
Bishop's Weed
Boswellic Acid
Butea monosperma
Barleria
Bitter Grass
Banyan
Bifidobacterium animalis
Black Nightshade
Bombax
Bacteria
Borage
Bifidobacteria
Boerhavia diffusa
Borneol
Coconut
Centella triterpenes
Caryophyllene
Calendula
Cinnamomum
Calotropis gigantea
Colloid
Cocoa Butter
Curcumen
Centipeda
Curcuma
Castile Soap
Costus
Castor Oil
Copaiba Oil
Celosia
Dianthus
European Elder
Emu Oil
Elephant's Head
Evening Primrose
Embelia
Goldthread
Little ironweed
Mallow
Orchid
Snakeroot (unspecified)
Silk protein
Sumac
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by peony
Abdominal PainAnemia
Anxiety
Arthritis
Asthma
Backache
Bleeding (external)
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Chills
Cholera
Circulation (poor)
Cold Sores
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Constipation (adults)
Depression
Diabetes
Dysmenorrhea
Dyspepsia
Eczema
Emotional Sensitivity
Endometriosis
Epilepsy
Fatigue
Fever
Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Gall Bladder (sluggish or removed)
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Glands (swollen lymph)
Grief and Sadness
Headache (general)
Headache (tension)
Heart (weakness)
Hemorrhoids
Hepatitis
Products containing peony
Nature's Sunshine Blood Stimulator TCM
Nature's Sunshine Chinese TCM Positive Pack
Nature's Sunshine Chinese TCM Negative Pack
Nature's Sunshine Hepatic System
Nature's Sunshine HY-C
Nature's Sunshine HY-C TCM
Nature's Sunshine IF-C
Nature's Sunshine IF-C TCM
Nature's Sunshine Kidney Activator TCM
Nature's Sunshine Kidney Activator (Chinese)
Nature's Sunshine Liver Balance TCM
Nature's Sunshine Nature's Chi TCM
Nature's Sunshine Tiao He Cleanse
Nature's Sunshine Trigger Immune (Chinese)
Nature's Sunshine Trigger Immune TCM