{"product_id":"dried-white-peony-root","title":"White Peony Root (Bai Shao)","description":"\u003cp\u003eWhite peony root is the peeled, cut root of \u003cem\u003ePaeonia lactiflora\u003c\/em\u003e, known as bai shao in Chinese herbal tradition and used there for centuries. It is mild and faintly sweet, which is unusual for a root, and it sits comfortably alongside stronger herbs in a formula. Simmered as a decoction rather than steeped like a tea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eKey Benefits\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA cornerstone of Chinese herbal tradition:\u003c\/strong\u003e bai shao turns up in dozens of classical formulas and has been in continuous use for centuries.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMild and slightly sweet:\u003c\/strong\u003e gentler on the palate than most roots, so it blends easily with bitter or pungent herbs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLong used in women's formulas:\u003c\/strong\u003e most often taken as part of blends for menstrual comfort and easing muscular tension.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCut for decoction:\u003c\/strong\u003e the slices are sized for simmering, which is how peony root has always been prepared.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe peeled white root:\u003c\/strong\u003e bai shao is peeled and cooked before drying, a different herb from unpeeled red peony, and the two are not interchangeable.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePractitioner favourite:\u003c\/strong\u003e mostly bought by herbalists and students working from a set formula.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"accordion-single js-acc-single\"\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"accordion-single-item\"\u003e\n    \u003cbutton aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"content-uses\" class=\"accordion-single-title label collapsible-trigger collapsible-trigger-btn collapsible-trigger-btn--borders collapsible--auto-height\" type=\"button\"\u003e\n      \u003cspan class=\"collapsible-trigger__layout\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHow to Use\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n    \u003c\/button\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"collapsible-content collapsible-content--all\" id=\"content-uses\"\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"collapsible-content__inner rte\"\u003e\n        \u003cp\u003eRoots need simmering rather than steeping. Use around 3 to 9 g of the cut root per serve, cover it with cold water, bring it gently to a simmer and hold it there for 20 to 30 minutes, then strain. The taste is mild, faintly sweet with a sour edge behind it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n        \u003cp\u003eWhite peony root is almost never taken on its own. The best known pairing is with \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dried-licorice-root-tea\"\u003eLiquorice Root\u003c\/a\u003e, a two-herb combination that goes back to the classical formula books. In blood-building formulas it is usually simmered alongside \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dried-dong-quai-root\"\u003eDong Quai Root\u003c\/a\u003e, and often \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dried-astragalus-root\"\u003eAstragalus Root\u003c\/a\u003e as well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003cdiv class=\"accordion-single-item\"\u003e\n    \u003cbutton aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"content-notes\" class=\"accordion-single-title label collapsible-trigger collapsible-trigger-btn collapsible-trigger-btn--borders collapsible--auto-height\" type=\"button\"\u003e\n      \u003cspan class=\"collapsible-trigger__layout\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGood to Know\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n    \u003c\/button\u003e\n    \u003cdiv class=\"collapsible-content collapsible-content--all\" id=\"content-notes\"\u003e\n      \u003cdiv class=\"collapsible-content__inner rte\"\u003e\n        \u003cp\u003eWhite and red peony come off closely related plants but are handled quite differently in the drying shed. Bai shao is lifted from cultivated stock, peeled and briefly cooked before drying, which is what leaves it pale. Red peony is left unpeeled and simply sun dried, and herbalists count the two as separate herbs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n        \u003cp\u003eThe genus name comes from Paeon, physician to the gods in Greek myth, who was said to have used a peony root on a wound.\u003c\/p\u003e\n        \u003cp\u003eGrowers wait three or four years before the roots are worth lifting, so every harvest is a long time coming.\u003c\/p\u003e\n      \u003c\/div\u003e\n    \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNot recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Check with your doctor first if you take blood thinning medication. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Consult a healthcare provider before use, especially if pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medication.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"herbcottage","offers":[{"title":"50g","offer_id":48936668135524,"sku":"so-white-peony-root-50g","price":12.3,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200g","offer_id":48936668168292,"sku":"so-white-peony-root-200g","price":30.75,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"500g","offer_id":48936668201060,"sku":"so-white-peony-root-500g","price":61.5,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0039\/7780\/5924\/files\/dried-white-peony-root.jpg?v=1785960183","url":"https:\/\/www.herbcottage.com.au\/products\/dried-white-peony-root","provider":"Mudbrick Herb Cottage","version":"1.0","type":"link"}