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Paeoniae Radix (Shaoyao)
Bitter, sour, neutral, slightly cold, slightly toxic. Mainly treats abdominal pain caused by pathogenic factors, eliminates blood bi (blood stasis obstruction), breaks down firm accumulations, treats chancre and hernia with cold-heat symptoms, relieves pain, promotes urination, benefits qi, unblocks and smooths the blood vessels, moderates internal tension, disperses evil blood, expels thief blood, removes water qi, benefits the bladder, large intestine, and small intestine,消absorbs carbuncles and swelling, treats epidemic cold-heat (seasonal febrile diseases), sudden attack by foul pathogens, abdominal pain, and lower back pain. Also known as Bai Mu, Yu Rong, Li Shi, Jie Cang, and [missing character]. Grows in valleys and hills of Mount Zhong. Roots are harvested in February and August and dried in the sun. (Xu Wan serves as its assistant. Minister Yu Xi et al. note according to other editions: Lei Wan. Averse to Shihu, Mangxiao; fears Xiaoshi, Biejia, Xiaoji; incompatible with Lilu.)

Tao Hongjing said: The best quality now comes from Baishan, Jiangshan, and Maoshan; they are white and large. Other places produce them but mostly red; red ones have slighter efficacy. Secular prescriptions use them for pain relief, which is no less effective than Danggui. Daoists also consume them and use them when boiling stone minerals. Current notes from other editions state there are two types: Chi Shaoyao promotes urination and descends qi; Bai Shaoyao relieves pain and dissipates blood. Their flowers also come in red and white colors. Minister Yu Xi et al. note according to Wu Shi: Paeoniae Radix, Shen Nong considered it bitter; Tong Jun considered it sweet and non-toxic; Qibo considered it salty; Ji Shi considered it slightly cold; Leigong considered it sour. *Yaoxing Lun* states: Paeoniae Radix is a minister herb. It can treat lung pathogenic factors, abdominal pain, blood and qi accumulation, unblock and diffuse organ congestion, treat painful敗血 (stagnant blood), mainly cure bone heat from epidemic diseases, strengthen the five zang organs, tonify kidney qi, treat hard distension of the heart and abdomen, amenorrhea in women, eliminate blood stasis, and can cauterize pus. Ri Huazi stated: Treats wind syndromes and tonifies deficiency-labor, mainly treats all female diseases and various disorders before and after childbirth, regulates menstruation, reduces fever and eliminates irritability, benefits qi, treats epidemic febrile diseases, plague miasma with convulsions and mania, female syncope due to blood, intestinal wind with bloody diarrhea, hemorrhoids, carbuncles on the back, sores, headache, brightens the eyes, and treats red eyes and pterygium. Red ones mostly benefit qi; white ones treat blood. This refers to the root and flower of Paeoniae Radix. Those from Haizhou, Yanguan, Hangzhou, and Yuezhou are good.

*Tu Jing* states: Paeoniae Radix grows in valleys and hills of Mount Zhong; it is now found everywhere, but those from Huainan are superior. In spring, red shoots emerge in clumps; stems have three branches and five leaves, resembling Peony but narrower and longer, one to two chi high. Flowers bloom in summer, in red, white, and purple varieties; seeds resemble peony seeds but smaller. Roots are harvested in autumn, coming in red and white colors. Cui Bao's *Gujin Zhu* states: There are two types of Paeoniae Radix: Cao Shaoyao and Mu Shaoyao. Mu Shaoyao has large, deep-colored flowers and is vulgarly called Mudan, which is incorrect. It also states: Niu Heng asked, "Why give Paeoniae Radix upon parting?" The answer was, "Paeoniae Radix is also named Helí, hence the gift." Just as giving Wenwu (Danggui) signifies summoning; giving Danji (Wangyoucao) makes one forget sorrow; giving Qingchang (Hehuan) makes one forget anger. Zhang Zhongjing treated Shanghan (Cold Damage) using decoctions rich in Paeoniae Radix because it treats cold-heat and promotes urination. Ancients also consumed it alone. An Qisheng's refining method states: Two types of Paeoniae Radix: one is Jin Shaoyao; the other is Mu Shaoyao. For treating illness, use Jin Shaoyao, which is white and fleshy; Mu Shaoyao is purple, thin, and fibrous. If selecting, examine carefully to avoid errors. If for consumption, after harvesting, scrape off coarse skin and head soil, boil in east-flowing water for a hundred boils, take out and dry in shade. Store for three days, then steam in a wooden steamer covered with clean yellow earth for a day and night until cooked, take out and dry in shade, grind into powder. Take three qianbi with wheat drink or wine, three times daily. After three hundred days, one can climb mountains without hunger despite fasting. *Zhengyuan Guangli Fang* treats chronic leukorrhea (red and white discharge) in women that has persisted for years: take three da liang of Bai Shaoyao and half a da liang of Ganjiang, finely cut, stir-fry until yellow, grind and sieve, take two qianbi with juice on an empty stomach, twice daily, which is better. For traumatic injuries with unceasing bleeding and pain, simply grind Bai Shaoyao into powder and apply externally to stop bleeding, with excellent results.

*Tang Ben Zhu*: Benefits and improves blood. Leigong said: After harvesting, dry in the sun, scrape off coarse skin and head soil with a bamboo knife, cut into pieces, mix with honey water, steam from Si hour to Wei hour, then dry for use. *Jingyan Hou Fang*: Treats wind toxicity and bone marrow pain. Two fen of Paeoniae Radix, one liang of Tiger Bone, roasted and ground into powder, placed in a silk bag, soaked in three sheng of wine for five days, take three he each time, three times daily. *Boji Fang*: Treats the five stranguries. One liang of Chi Shaoyao, one Areca Seed, wrapped in flour and baked, ground into powder, take one qianbi each time, decoct in one jin of water to seven-tenths, take on an empty stomach. *Guangli Fang*: Treats traumatic injuries with unceasing bleeding and pain. One liang of Bai Shaoyao, stir-fried until yellow, pounded into fine powder. Take two qianbi with wine or rice drink, both acceptable; start with three doses and gradually increase. Chu Yushi: Treats hemoptysis and epistaxis. One liang of Bai Shaoyao, one fen of Rhinoceros Horn powder, ground together. Take one qianbi with fresh water, stop when bleeding ceases. *Bieshuo* notes: According to *Ben Jing*, Paeoniae Radix grows in hills and valleys; what is used today is mostly cultivated by households. To make flowers and leaves large and fat, manure must be added. Every year in August and September, roots are divided and sliced, dried, and sold as medicine. Currently, Zhenyang in Huainan produces much of it. Pharmacists see their large size but do not know the fragrance is poor, so medicinal efficacy cannot be expected. Current examination suggests using wild-grown Paeoniae Radix from valleys and hills as superior, according to *Ben Jing*.

*Yanyi* states: Paeoniae Radix uses the whole root; there are many varieties, but those with red, single-petaled flowers grown in mountains are best. Those with abundant flowers and leaves have hollow roots. However, most roots are reddish, with astringent and bitter tastes; those that are white and thick/fat are better. The rest follows the classics. However, patients with blood deficiency and cold constitution must prohibit this herb. The ancients said: Reduce Paeoniae Radix to avoid middle jiao cold. Indeed, this should not be ignored.