Evidence supporting the use of: Peony (unspecified)
For the health condition: Hemorrhoids
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Peony (often referring to Paeonia lactiflora or related species) has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for a variety of health conditions, including hemorrhoids. In TCM, peony root (commonly known as Bai Shao or Chi Shao depending on the preparation) is frequently included in herbal formulas aimed at "cooling the blood," reducing inflammation, and improving circulation—actions believed to be beneficial for hemorrhoids, which are associated with heat, swelling, and blood stasis in TCM theory.
Classical herbal texts and compendia (such as the Shennong Bencao Jing and later materia medica) list peony as an ingredient in multi-herb remedies for rectal bleeding, anal discomfort, and swelling, all symptoms associated with hemorrhoids. However, most of these uses are based on empirical tradition rather than controlled clinical research.
Modern scientific evidence is limited. Some laboratory and animal studies suggest peony root may have anti-inflammatory and vasodilatory effects, but there are no robust clinical trials specifically evaluating its efficacy for hemorrhoids in humans. Therefore, while the traditional use is well-established, scientific validation remains weak, justifying a moderate evidence rating based mainly on historical rather than modern clinical data.
Other ingredients used for Hemorrhoids
Aloe veragreen chiretta
apple
apricot
berry flavor
betel
bilberry
blackberry
butcher's broom
chamomile
citrus bioflavonoids
turmeric
dandelion
fiber blend (proprietary)
gotu kola
cellulose
horse chestnut
lemon
licorice root
Nettle
oregon grape
parsley
phellodendron amurense
plum fruit
prune
psyllium
rutin
slippery elm bark
Triphala
vitamin C
seaweed
Zinc
tangerine
capsicum
punarnava
commiphora
blackboard tree
Caesalpinia crista
Rubia cordifolia
peony
Szechuan lovage
Morus
Myrrh
Morinda
birch
aster root
shepherd's purse
paw paw
geranium
sea salt
avens
apple cider vinegar
antler
anthraquinone
Ardisia
Angelica
Acacia
Agrimony
Allicin
Antirrhinum majus
Achyranthes
Abrus
Alchemilla
Aconite
Ajuga
Aerva lanata
American Liverleaf
Aescin
anthocyanidins
Agrimonia pilosa
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Baliospermum
Blepharis
Brassica
bayleaf
bran
Barleria
bael
banyan
bioflavonoids
back nightshade
borassus palm
Borassus aethiopum
black root
Bassia scoparia
Black Hellebore
Bergenia
Chinese silkvine
Cucurbita
coconut oil
cactus
cinquefoil
Cyathula
chard
cabbage
chestnut
Cynodon dactylon
castor oil
Carthamus
colocynth
Celosia
Clerodendrum indicum
Chondrus
Dianthus
Diosmin
elephant\'s head
escin
Embelia
fiber
Ficus simplicissima
hazelnut
Indian coraltree
Kokilaksha
lichen
Lycopodium
labrador tea
little ironweed
Methylcellulose
Mezoneuron benthamianum
Mountain Pepper
Mucilage
Morning glory
Nymphaea nouchali
Nimbidin
Oak
Oroxylum indicum
Oligomeric proanthocyanidins
Onosma bracteatum
pagoda tree
Pluchea
potato
Prunus
Pentacyclic triterpenoids
proanthocyanidins
Portulaca
Persimmon
Papayotin
Polygonum
Rosabin
Ruscus
Ruscogenins
Rosa laevigata
Rutosides
rhubarb
Shark Liver Oil
Sanguisorba
Sarivan
Squash
Sumac
Sword Bean
Terminalia
Tannins
Taraxacin
Troxerutin
Tamarind
Varuna
Wax Gourd
Witch Hazel
Winter Begonia
Yellow Dock
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by Peony (unspecified)
Abdominal PainAmenorrhea
Anemia
Anxiety
Arthritis
Asthma
Backache
Bleeding (external)
Bleeding (internal)
Bruises (healing)
Canker Sores
Chills
Circulation (poor)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Congestion (sinus)
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Cough (general)
Cramps (menstrual)
Depression
Dermatitis
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dizziness
Edema
Emotional Sensitivity
Energy (lack of)
Epilepsy
Fatigue
Fever
Gastritis
Gingivitis
Glands (swollen lymph)
Headache (general)
Headache (tension)
Hemorrhoids
Hot Flashes
Hypertension
Indigestion