Peonies (Paeonia officinalis) are more than just gorgeous spring flowers, they also provide many medicinal properties that help you live better.
Peony contains certain compounds, such as paeoniflorin, albiflorin, oxypaeoniflorin, paeonilactinone, benzoyloxypaeoniflorin and lactinolide that are responsibles for its health benefits.
The most prominent health benefit of peonies is their ability to reduce and heal inflammation. In fact, paeonia lactiflora has been used in Chinese medicine to help with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, hepatitis, muscle cramping, spasms and fever.
Moreover, peonies contain cannabinoids that help balance your immune system and treat inflammation and pain.
Studies have found that peony may help:
- Support the Immune System — Root of White Peony has a long tradition as a support to the immune system. Active compounds in peonies have been shown to help maintain the balance the immune system needs to stay healthy and help maintain a young, vital lifestyle.
- Relieve pain — Research published in Frontiers in Pharmacology finds that the compounds of peony possess analgesic effects.
- Reduce inflammation — Research published in the journal Frontiers of Pharmacology looked at the potential health benefits of paeonia lactiflora, finding that: ‘The direct anti-inflammatory effects of total glucosides of peony (TGP) were observed in animal models of both acute and subacute inflammation”. Peony has been proved to help deal with joint swelling, cartilage degradation, synovial hypertrophy and pain.
- Produce antibodies — In vitro studies discover that peony can boost the production of immunoglobulin-M at low concentrations.
- Reduce oxidative stress — Peony possesses strong antioxidant properties.
- Peonies are very beneficial to skin due to their antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that help fight tissue aging and sooth skin rashes.
How to use peonies
The Chinese boil and fry peony petals for a crunchy and sweet snack.
You can add peony petals to your salads and the entire flower can even be eaten whole if steam-cooked and served as a side dish.
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