Medicinal ethnobotany research on Paeonia sect.Moutan through textual evidence

Authors Long Zhengli; Yang Lixin; Yang Rong; Lang Bayi; Wang Juan

Journal Guihaia , 2021,2:41

Abstract The dried root bark of tree peony had been widely used in medicine,especially in traditional Chinese medicine and ethnic medicine since ancient times.In order to clarify the recorded of Paeonia sect.Moutan plants in Chinese classic ancient manuscripts,we used an ethnobotanical approach to review eight classic ancient Chinese manuscripts,37 local chronicles and traditional knowledge of ethnic medicine.We catalogued,traditional knowledge about the species,geographical distribution,medicinal parts,processing methods and efficacy of Paeonia sect.Moutan plants in traditional Chinese medicine and ethnic medicine.The results were as follows:Two species of Paeonia sect.Moutan plants(Paeonia suffruticosa and Paeonia delavayi)were recorded in traditional Chinese classic ancient manuscripts discuss 14 processing methods and 18 kinds of medicinal functions.At present,four species of Paeonia sect.Moutan plants were used for medicine in nine ethnic medicine,which were P.suffruticosa,P.delavayi,P.rockii and P.decomposita;P.suffruticosa was used more frequently than that of other species in traditional Chinese classic ancient manuscripts and ethnic medicine;The root,Moutan Cortex,and flower of were recorded as medicine in traditional Chinese classic ancient manuscripts,which is consistent with the record of ethnic medicines,and root and Moutan Cortex were the most frequently used for medical parts.The Paeonia sect.Moutan''s medicinal functions include health and skin care effects,such as treating diabetes mellitus,hypertension,pneumonia,acute high fever,aconite poisoning,acute appendicitis,apoplexy,epilepsy and anthrax,as well as tranquilizing the mind and moisturizing skin.This study provides the knowledge prototype for basic of application for the research and development of this species.

Species covered 紫牡丹 Paeonia delavayi 牡丹 Paeonia suffruticosa 芍药属 Paeonia