White Peony Root Classic Formulas … Natural Herb Library

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Nourishes blood and preserves yin ... Bai Shao is one of the classic peony roots for blood deficiency, dizziness, dry eyes, and menstrual depletion patterns.
Softens the Liver and relieves pain ... it is widely used for abdominal cramping, flank discomfort, and dysmenorrhea when tension, deficiency, or disharmony cause spasm-like pain.
Moderates spasm and harmonizes the nutritive and defensive levels ... classical use includes sweating patterns, restless irritability, and formula work where yin preservation matters as much as simple pain relief.

Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang ... classic pairing for acute spasm, cramping, and painful tension.
Si Wu Tang ... foundational blood-nourishing formula where Bai Shao enriches blood and supports menstrual regulation.
Xiao Yao San ... Liver-Spleen disharmony formula in which Bai Shao softens the Liver while preserving blood and yin.

Traditional materia medica describes Bai Shao as bitter, sour, and slightly cold, entering the Liver and Spleen to nourish blood, preserve yin, soften the Liver, and relieve pain.
The standard teaching contrast with Chi Shao is fundamental ... Bai Shao focuses more on nourishment, restraint, and spasm relief than on vigorous blood movement.