Cortex Moutan
Radicis
Source
Cortex of Paeonia suifruticosa Andr., family Ranunculaceae.
Characteristics
Cortex
tube-shaped, with longitudinal fissures on one side, variable in length,
0.5-1.0 cm in diameter, 0.1-0.4 cm thick. Cork grey-brown, and the surface
appearing pink when the cork is peeled off, with transverse and long lenticels;
inner surface light brown, with fine longitudinal striae. Section powdery,
light pink, with paeonol crystals separated out after prolonged exposure,
like bright silver stars. Fragrant in odour. Bitter and acrid in taste,
slightly cold in nature, and attributive to heart, liver and kidney channels.
Indication
1. Clear away heat and cool the blood: For eruptive febrile diseases,
blood-heat syndrome with hematemesis, hemoptysis, epistaxis, etc., heat-syndrome
consuming yin or yin-deficiency syndrome manifested as night fever, hectic
fever and anhidrosis.
2. Promote blood circulation to remove blood stasis: For blood-stasis
syndrome manifested as amenorrhea, menalgia, or abdominal mass, used together
with Semen Persicae, Ramulus Cinnamomi, Poria, Radix Paeoniae Rubra (Bolus
of Ramulus Cinnamomi and Poria); for periappendicular abscess, used together
with Radix et Rhizoma Rhef, Semen Persicae, Semen Benincasae, Natni Sulfas
(Decoction of Rhei and Moutan Radicis); also for skin infection, measles
with in-complete and purple red eruptions. Recently also used for allergic
rhinitis.
Pharmacological
Action
Paeonol
is one of its active components.
1. Antibacterial and ant-inflammatory.
2. Sedative. In mouse 125 mg/kg intraperitoneally.
3. Analgesic. In m6use 1.0g/kg for gastric infusion.
4. Anticonvulsive. Relieving the convulsive seizures in experimental animals
induced by electric stimulation or injection of pentyleneterazol or nicotine.
5. Antipyretic. Reducing fever in mouse induced by typhoid or paratyphoid
vaccines.
6. Its decoction or paeonol can lower blood pressure in anaesthetized
dogs and rats.
Administration Decoction: 6-12g.