Single Herb Glossary
Mǔ Dān Pí 牡丹皮
| Pharmaceutical name | Moutan Radicis, Cortex |
| Category | Clear Heat, Cool Blood |
| Key Properties | Cools heat from either excess or def Gently invigorates blood (without injuring blood or yin) Clears lurking fire from blood |
| Properties | Acrid Bitter Sl. Cold |
| Tropism | HT, LV, KD |
| Actions & Indications | 1) Clears Heat & Cools 2) Clears Fire from Deficiency (Steaming bone without sweat) 3) Invigorates Blood, Dispel Blood Stasis 4) Clears ascending LV fire 5) Drains pus & Reduce Swelling (Rash, sore) |
| Dosages | 6-12g |
| Contraindications (TCM) | CI: Pregnancy, excessive menstrual bleeding; Caution with Def and Cold; Occasional Side Effect: nausea, dizziness. Usually disappear without discontinuing the herb |
| Contraindications (Western) | |
| Chemical Composition | Paeonol, paeonoside, paeonolide, paeoniflorin, benzoylpaeoniflorin, oxypaeoniflorin, benzoyloxypaeoniflorin, apiopaeonoside |
| Pharmacological Effects | • Anti-inflammatory: strong anti-inflammatory actions, according to laboratory studies; mechanism of anti-inflammatory effect attributed to inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis and decreased permeability of blood vessels • Cardiovascular: in anesthetized dogs, administration associated with increased blood perfusion to coronary arteries, decreased cardiac output and decreased load on left ventricle; also been shown to have a protective effect against ischemia of heart • Antihypertensive: decoction has prolonged antihypertensive effect in anesthetized dogs and rats; in dogs with essential and renal hypertension, oral ingestion of decoction at 5 to 10 g/kg/day for 7 days effective in reducing blood pressure • Antibiotic: inhibitory influence against S. aureus, β-hemolytic streptococcus, Bacillus subtilis, E. coli, Shigella dysenteriae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus proteus, Diplococcus pneumoniae, and Vibrio cholerae • Others: analgesic, sedative, antiseizure, antipyretic and immune-enhancing effects |
| Herb-Drug Interactions | |
| Classical Formula(s) |
This information is a reference tool for Chinese herbal studies. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Please consult a primary health professional if you require health advisory.