Tree Peony Root Bark

Tree Peony Root Bark (Mu Dan Pi): A Bitter Herb for Cooling Blood, Clearing Heat, and Invigorating Blood

Introduction

Tree peony root bark, known as Mu Dan Pi (牡丹皮) in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), is bitter, acrid, and slightly cold. It is valued for cooling the blood, clearing heat, invigorating blood circulation, and dispelling stasis. Mu Dan Pi is especially used for fever without sweating, blood-heat causing rashes or nosebleeds, and painful swellings. Its ability to both cool and move makes it important for heat conditions with blood involvement.

What Is Tree Peony Root Bark?

Mu Dan Pi comes from the root bark of Paeonia suffruticosa, a deciduous shrub native to China. In TCM, it is classified as bitter, acrid, and slightly cold, entering the Heart, Liver, and Kidney meridians. Its qualities allow it to clear excess heat from the blood, resolve stasis, and reduce swelling from abscesses or injuries.

Health Benefits of Tree Peony Root Bark

Cools the blood and clears heat – Treats fever, heat rashes, nosebleeds, and bleeding due to blood-heat.

Invigorates blood and dispels stasis – Used for amenorrhea, abdominal pain, and traumatic injury.

Clears deficiency heat – Relieves tidal fever, night sweats, or irritability from yin deficiency.

Reduces swelling and promotes healing – Applied for boils, abscesses, and sores.

How to Use Tree Peony Root Bark

Decoction – Commonly boiled as part of formulas for blood-heat or yin deficiency with heat.

Powder – May be ground for use in topical applications on sores or swellings.

Formulas – Often combined with herbs like Sheng Di Huang, Chi Shao, or Zhi Zi for stronger cooling and blood-clearing effects.

Where to Buy Tree Peony Root Bark

TCM shops – Available as dried sliced root bark.

Herbal suppliers – Sold online in bulk packages.

Look for: light brown to dark reddish bark slices with a slightly bitter, acrid taste.

Are There Any Side Effects?

Mu Dan Pi is cooling and dispersing; it should be avoided in cases of cold in the blood, pregnancy, or those prone to excessive bleeding. Overuse may also injure yin and blood.

Conclusion

Tree peony root bark (Mu Dan Pi) is a cooling, moving herb that clears blood-heat, invigorates circulation, and reduces swelling. Its dual ability to both cool and move makes it indispensable in treating fevers, blood stasis, abscesses, and deficiency heat.

FAQ

Can it help with heat rashes? – Yes, it clears blood-heat that causes rashes, nosebleeds, or bleeding disorders.

Does it relieve menstrual pain? – Yes, it invigorates blood and dispels stasis, easing abdominal pain and amenorrhea.

Can it treat boils or abscesses? – Yes, it reduces swelling and promotes healing in sores and abscesses.