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Western Peony
Paeonia brownii (Paeonia californica) California peony Description Western peony is a 1-1½ foot tall by 2-3 foot wide herbaceous perennial. Its leaves, which are vibrantly green and somewhat fleshy, are numerous and form from the base of the plant. Occasionally the leaves are scarlet tipped when they first emerge; later in the season after flowering, the leaves easily wilt from lack of rain or intense sun exposure. The solitary large flowers are dark red, and occasionally shade to black. Typically, the nodding flowers are composed of 5-6 petals, although sometimes more; they are somewhat fragrant. When mature they can easily be mistaken for not being fully developed since the petals still cup the reproductive center. As the seed capsules mature the stem droops, and even may contact the ground. The roots on mature plants are numerous, vertically oriented, slender tubers. Some botanists place the plant in the Buttercup family.
Distribution Western peony is abundant throughout coastal and northern California. Also, look to south and western Oregon, western Washington, into Nevada, Utah, Idaho and Wyoming where there exists extensive stands. Sagebrush is a common companion plant throughout its range in the Great Basin Desert.
Chemistry Not known.
Medicinal Uses Western peony is largely antispasmodic to smooth muscle tissue. Its two primary spheres of influence are on uterus and bronchial tissue. The plant is distinctly sedative to uterine cramps. It can be used as needed on the first or second day of menses to ease spasmodic pain, although some women find it more effective started a week or two before the onset of menses. Some also experience the plant as a menstrual stimulant; so is useful if menses is slow to start, or stop and start. If adrenal-stress is present then Western peony is doubly indicated since the plant is a gentle sedative of use in nervous excitability and tension.
Western peony is of value in relieving a spasmodic cough. Its effect on bronchial irritation is serviceable. Systemically, Western peony tends to diminish muscular twitching and excess nervous system discharge resulting in pre-seizure activity.
Indications Uterine cramps Spasmodic cough Muscular twitching/pre-seizure activity
Collection Select larger robust plants with corresponding large root masses. Start digging to one side of the plant and work in. Take only peripheral tubers while leaving the inner ones. This will ensure the plant’s survival in years to come. After splitting open a tuber, the coloration is normally pink-purple; the darker the coloration the stronger the root medicine. Gather when the new foliage first appears or after flowering.
Preparations If using for tea split the tuber length-wise to ensure proper drying. As the root dries, it will darken considerably.
Dosage FPT/DPT (60%): 30-60 drops 3 times daily Root decoction: 4-6 ounces 3 times daily
Cautions Western peony may interfere with consistent blood coagulation if mixed with blood-thinning pharmaceuticals. Also, do not take during pregnancy due to the plant’s stimulating effect on menses. |