Red Peony Root
Red Peony Root (Loose-skinned with powdery interior)
Sichuan Red Peony Root (Cylindrical and curved, dark brown, rough skin, deep longitudinal wrinkles)
Hao Red Peony Root
Sichuan Red Peony Root (Hard and brittle, easily broken)
Red Peony Root slices (Oblique slices, round slices, reddish-brown, chrysanthemum pattern, fissures, special aroma)
Red Peony Root (Excessive sulfur fumigation damages quality)
Red Peony Root slices (Long slices) (Powdery interior)
Red Peony Root, Premium Grade
【Name】
【Source】
Shen Nong’s Herbal Classic, Middle Grade
【Common Usage Level】
B
【Botanical Origin】
The dried root of Paeonia lactiflora Pall. (Family Ranunculaceae), Paeonia veitchii Lynch, or Paeonia obovata Maxim.
【Characteristics】
The root is cylindrical, slightly curved, 10-40 cm long, and 6-30 mm in diameter. The surface is dark brown with coarse and deep longitudinal wrinkles and transversely raised lenticels. The outer skin is easily detached, revealing a white or light brown cortex. The texture is hard and brittle and easily broken.
The processed slices are oblique or transverse thin slices, reddish-yellow or pink, with a chrysanthemum pattern or fissures in the middle. The cortex is narrow and darker in color. It has a slight aroma and a slightly bitter, astringent taste. The color darkens after processing with wine.
【Processing】
1. Raw Red White Peony Root 2. Wine-processed Red Peony Root 3. Stir-fried Red Peony Root
【Identification】
Good quality is indicated by thick and long roots, easily detached outer skin, coarse and deep wrinkles, a white cross-section, a high powdery content, and uniform ends without cavities. Conversely, poor quality is indicated by firm skin, a hard texture, and hollow centers with dark sediment.
【Identification Terminology】
1. Dog Head Peony: Red Peony Root with the rhizome attached, because the root is lumpy and shaped like a dog’s head.
2. Texture: Generally refers to the texture characteristics of the cross-section of root or rhizome medicinal materials. For example, Red Peony Root has “loose-skinned with powdery interior”.
3. Loose-skinned with powdery interior: Red Peony Root from Duolun has a thin outer skin that is loose and easy to peel off, called loose-skinned; the cross-section is white with a reddish tinge and is powdery, called powdery interior, which is a sign of good quality.
4. Iron Rod Red Peony Root (Beijing Red Peony Root): Specifically refers to Red Peony Root produced by artificial cultivation in the Beijing area. Its characteristic features are thin and straight branches, tight skin that is not easy to peel off, firm flesh, no cracks, and a relatively firm and heavy body. The quality is not as good as “loose-skinned with powdery interior”.
【Category】
Root Category