Womens Botanicals: Peonia lactiflora
The peony is a favourite among not only naturopaths and herbalists but garden lovers too, and is always my first choice if buying cut flower bouquets.
GROWING PEONIES:
Peony lactiflora or Chinese peony has these big beautiful flowers, appearing in late spring to early summer. They are perennial plants, and form in clumps almost looking like a shrub. They can grow up to 80 cm high, by around 50 cm wide, at a medium growth rate. If you plan on having peonies in your garden, it’s important to note that they can take up to three years to mature enough to bloom ! Ask how old your plant is before purchasing if you’re buying at this time of the year - or alternatively grab one in the spring so you can see if it’s flowering or not. The peony has both male and female parts, is pollinated by insects, but is ‘self fertile’ ( meaning that if pollen from the same plant lands on a stigma it would still produce fruit - whereas many will not as to ensure genetic variability ). *The stigma are the little bobbles at the end of the style; - essentially the little fluffy bits poking out of the centre of the flowers ).
Peonies also require cool winters to allow them to go into dormancy. Tasmania and Victoria are ideal though some areas in the mountains of Queensland may even be able to grow them - it just depends on your specific climate. The peony is quite a tolerant plant, and can handle soils that are heavy and clayish, but do not like to be waterlogged. They like partial to no shade.
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES:
When it comes to using the peony for our botanical medicine - it is the root that is used. ( bare this in mind if you’re planting a medicinal garden because you have to dig this one up ! ).
Peony is often used in traditional Chinese medicine, and is part of the ‘four things soup’ which is a women’s tonic.
Peony is also often paired in naturopathy with glycyrrhiza ( licorice ), for hormonal modulation especially in conditions such as PCOS / androgen excess, infertility, and on its own is used to modulate oestrogen and prolactin, and improves low progesterone.
In vitro studies (artificial settings / not done on a living being), have found that one of the active constituents paeoniflorin can affect the ovarian follicle through its action on the aromatoase enzyme ( Or cytochrome P450 / CYP19a1 ). This enzyme is necessary for follicle maturation, ovulation, corpus luteum function, steroid hormone synthesis, as well as the regulation of the conversion of androgens to estrogens. This enzyme is found in other tissues including the brain, bones, adipose / fat and the breasts.
The feedback mechanism of our pituitary and hypothalamus also rely aromatase to regulate prolactine and gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH).
When it comes to PCOS, oligomenorrhoea (irregular cycles) and hyperandrogenism (high male hormones), there have been a number of studies done regarding the traditional use of peony combined with licorice. It has been found to regulate LH and FSH ratios, as well as decrease serum testosterone levels. This is thought to be due to the way these herbs act on the ovary, increasing the action of aromatase / the enzyme discussed above, thus resulting in the conversion of more oestrogen from androgens and reducing serum testosterone levels.
Peony is also useful for spasmic type cramping during menstruation ( which is great because one of our other favourite hormone modulators is to be avoided here ). It may be used in the treatment of fibroids, endometriosis, irregular cycles and more ! Peony has also demonstrated anti-hyperlipidimic and anti-hyperglycaemic effects ( lowering lipids / fats in the blood and blood sugars levels ).
While peony doesn’t have any key contraindications, it is best to always use herbal medicine under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. While you may think you have one of the conditions listed above, thorough case analysis and blood testing will determine exactly what you have going on, and the correct treatment option for you.
If you would like to chat about your health and how botanicals may be of help for you - book an appointment here.
I hope you enjoyed this little peony overview, and found it helpful or insightful if you yourself are taking peony and wondering how it actually works.
Kindest always,
Sarah x
