Evidence supporting the use of: Chinese peony
For the health condition: Hot Flashes
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Chinese peony (Paeonia lactiflora) is primarily used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for a variety of women's health conditions, including menstrual disorders and menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes. In TCM, Chinese peony is often included in classical formulations like "Jia Wei Xiao Yao San" (Augmented Rambling Powder), which is prescribed for symptoms associated with menopause, including hot flashes, irritability, and sweating. The traditional rationale is that Chinese peony nourishes the blood and preserves yin, thereby helping to balance the body's internal energies and alleviate symptoms thought to be due to "yin deficiency" and "liver qi stagnation."
However, scientific evidence supporting the use of Chinese peony specifically for hot flashes is limited. While some studies have examined the effects of multi-herb TCM formulas containing peony on menopausal symptoms, it is difficult to attribute efficacy to peony alone. The available clinical trials tend to be small, of low methodological quality, or do not isolate Chinese peony as a single agent. There is some preclinical evidence suggesting that peony root extracts have phytoestrogenic and anti-inflammatory properties, but this has not been robustly confirmed in human studies focused on hot flashes.
In summary, the use of Chinese peony for hot flashes is primarily supported by traditional use in TCM, with limited direct scientific evidence for efficacy in this specific indication.
Other ingredients used for Hot Flashes
ashwagandhablack cohosh
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
evening primrose oil
flaxseed
genistein
genistin
licorice root
maca
reishi mushroom
scrophularia root
soybean
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin E
wild yam
red clover
Equol (proprietary)
menthol oil
St. John's Wort
soy isoflavones
27-deoxyactein
8-Prenylnaringenin
Aconite
Anemarrhena
Broussonetia
Bombax
Cohosh
Dong Quai
Estrogen
Isoflavones
Other health conditions supported by Chinese peony
Abdominal PainAmenorrhea
Anemia
Anxiety
Arthritis
Asthma
Backache
Bites and Stings
Bleeding (external)
Bruises (healing)
Canker Sores
Chest Pain
Chills
Colic (adults)
Colic (children)
Constipation (adults)
Cough (dry)
Cough (general)
Cramps (menstrual)
Cramps and Spasms
Dysmenorrhea
Edema
Emotional Sensitivity
Endometriosis
Fever
Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Glands (swollen lymph)
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Headache (tension)
Hemorrhoids
Hepatitis
Hot Flashes
Hypertension
Indigestion
Inflammation
Insomnia