Peony bark,moutan bark,MOUTAN CORTEX (Mudanpi),Tree Peony Bark

Part

Tree Peony Bark is the dried root bark of Paeonia suffruicosa Andr. (Fam. Ranunculaceae).

Character

Ouilled or semiquilled, longitudinally fissured, somewhat involute or opened, 5~12 mm in diameter, 1~4 mm thick. Outer surface greyish-brown yellowish-brown, showing numerous transverse lenticels and rootlet scars, the exposed surface where cork fallen off appearing pink; inner surface pale greyish-yellow or pale brown, with obvious fine longitudinal striations, usually showing bright crystals. Texture hard and fragile, easily broken, fracture relatively even, mealy, pale pink. Odour, aromatic; taste, slightly bitter and astringent.

Water

≤13.0%

Total Ash

≤5.0%

Assay

It contains not less than 1.20% of paeonol (C9H10O3) calculate on the dried basis.

Action and Indication

To remove heat from blood, to activate blood circulation and eliminate blood stasis.For eruptions in epidemic diseases; spitting of blood, epistaxis; consumptive fever occurring at night and subsiding in the moring without sweating; amenorrhea, dysmeorrhea; carbuncles and sores; traumatic injuries.

Storage

Preserve in a cool and dry place, protected from heat, moisture and moth.