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) |
Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan (Cinnamon Twig and Poria Pill) 桂枝茯苓丸 Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six-ingredient pill with rehmannia) 六味地黃丸 Qing Hao Bie Jia Tang (sweet Wormwood and Soft-Shelled Turtle Shell Decoction) 青蒿鳖甲汤 Qing Wei San (Clear the Stomach Powder) 清胃散 Shen Qi Wan (Kidney Qi pill) 金櫃腎氣丸 (金柜肾气丸) Shi Hui San (Ten Partially-Charred Substances Powder) 十灰散 Wen Jing Tang (Flow-Warming Decoction) 溫經湯 Jia Wei Xiao Yao San (Modified Rambling Powder)加味逍遙散 Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan (Eight Immortal Pill for Longevity) 八仙長壽丸 Bie Jia Jian Wan (delete Qiang Lang) (Soft-Shelled Turtle Dec) 鳖甲煎丸 （减蜣螂） Da Huang Mu Dan Tang (Rhubarb and Moutan Decoction) 大黄牡丹湯 Ji Sheng Shen Qi Wan (Golden coffer Kidney Qi Pill) 濟生腎氣丸 (济生肾气丸) Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang (Rhinoceros Horns and Rehmannia Decoction) 犀角地黃湯 Yang Yin Qing Fei Tang (Nourish the Yin and Clear the Lungs Decoction) 養陰清肺湯 |
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.