Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.

Paeonia peregrina has been collected for its thick, aromatic roots in the Balkan peninsula and the eastern Mediterranean. Local healers in the Velebit mountains of Croatia and Bosnia prepare a decoction of the root bark as a mild carminative and antispasmodic, drinking small cups to ease stomach cramps and flatulence (Vörös, 1959). In northern Greece, the dried roots are macerated in diluted wine or alcohol and given as a few drops to relieve heavy-headed colds and bronchial tightness (Stalwart et al., 2019). Among montane communities of Romania, women prepare a tea of the outer root bark for menstrual discomfort, sometimes combined with warm milk (Böhmer et al., 2001). In Turkey’s Aegean interior, the roots are softened in warm water and applied as a warm poultice to bruises and inflamed joints, where the preparation is called a “peony pack” (Tuzlaci, 1990).

An example preparation used in parts of the Aegean is a mild tea: place 10 g of dried, chopped outer root bark in 250 ml of just-off-the-boil water and simmer for 8–10 minutes, then strain and let cool to a comfortable drinking temperature. Begin with 1–2 cups daily as needed. In the Greek practice of a wine maceration, combine 30 g of chipped dried roots with 300 ml of fortified wine and rest for 10 days, shaking daily; take 20–30 drops (about 1 ml) in a bit of warm water once or twice daily for coughs or stomach cramps (Stalwart et al., 2019). A typical root tincture is 1:5 (w/v) with 45% ethanol; macerate chopped dry roots in the solvent for 4–6 weeks with occasional shaking, then strain; a common daily dose is 30–60 drops (1–2 ml) for colic or bronchial irritation (Vörös, 1959; Böhmer et al., 2001). Do not use in pregnancy; moderate the daily dose and discontinue if stomach upset occurs. Avoid prolonged use in children; do not combine with strong expectorants without professional guidance (Böhmer et al., 2001).

Chemical analyses of P. peregrina roots consistently show paeoniflorin and related monoterpene glycosides, along with tannins and modest levels of volatile phenolics that give the roots their sweet-aromatic character (Wang et al., 2018; Toropova et al., 2008). These compounds are well known from peony roots and plausibly account for the traditional carminative, spasmolytic, and mild expectorant actions reported.

Today, paeoniflorin-rich peony roots remain of pharmacological interest and appear on the market in standardized extracts, while village practice in parts of the Balkans and Greece continues to use P. peregrina as a tea, wine maceration, or tincture, and as a warm poultice for bruises and joint discomfort (Wang et al., 2018; Vörös, 1959).

General Uses Top

Suggest a correction!

Common products:
Garden and cut-flower cultivation of named cultivars; propagation materials (division of clumps, cuttings, grafting onto woodyrootstocks).

Wood and fiber:
Not used.

Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
No documented food uses.

Colorants and tanning:
No documented uses.

Fragrance and cosmetics:
No documented uses.

Industrial and craft applications:
No documented uses.

Properties relevant to use:
No properties relevant to industrial use are documented.

Standards and regulation:
No standards or regulatory frameworks specific to this taxon are documented.

Sustainability and sourcing:
No sustainability or sourcing issues specific to this taxon are documented.

Synonyms Top

Scientific name	Authority	First published in
Paeonia foliosa	Sabine ex Salm-Dyck	Hort. Dyck. : 370 (1834)
Paeonia byzantina	hort. ex DC.	Prodr. 1: 66 (1824)
Paeonia decora	G.Anderson	Trans. Linn. Soc. London 12: 273 (1817)
Paeonia tartarica	Mill.	Gard. Dict. ed. 8 : n.º 5 (1768)
Paeonia splendens	Sabine ex Salm-Dyck	Hort. Dyck. : 370 (1834)
Paeonia romanica	D.Brândză	Prod. Fl. Romane 38.
Paeonia officinalis subsp. villosa	(Huth) Cullen & Heywood	Feddes Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 69: 34 1964
Paeonia peregrina var. villosa	Huth	Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 14: 270 1892
Paeonia officinalis var. peregrina	(Mill.) Martyn	Gard. Dict. ed. 9 2(1): n.° 2. 1807
Paeonia decora var. pallasii	G.Anderson	Trans. Linn. Soc. London 12: 274. 1818
Paeonia decora var. elatior	G.Anderson	Trans. Linn. Soc. London 12: 274. 1818
Paeonia officinalis var. tartarica	(Mill.) Martyn	Gard. Dict. ed. 9 2(1): n.° 2. 1807
Paeonia officinalis var. villosa	(Huth) Asch. & Graebn.	Syn. Mitteleur. Fl. 5(2): 555 1923
Paeonia femina var. villosa	(Huth) Gürke	Pl. Eur. 2: 402 1903
Paeonia humilis var. villosa	(Huth) Stern	J. Roy. Hort. Soc. 68: 129 1943
Paeonia tatarica	Mill.	Gard. Dict. ed. 8 : n.º 5 (1768)
Paeonia multifida	Salm-Dyck	Hort. Dyck. : 369 (1834)

Common names Top

Add a new one! Suggest a correction!

Filter by language:

Language	Common/alternative name
Azerbaijani	dekorativ pion
azb	دکوراتیو پیون
Bulgarian	див божур
Bulgarian	червен божур
Polish	piwonia obca
Romanian	bujor românesc
Slovenian	kosovska potonika
Albanian	lulegjaku
Chinese	欧洲芍药
Chinese	土耳其芍药

Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top

Add a new one! Suggest a correction!

No subspecies added yet.

Varieties (abbr. var.) Top

Add a new one! Suggest a correction!

No variety added yet.

Subvarieties (abbr. subvar.) Top

Add a new one! Suggest a correction!

No subvariety added yet.

Forms (abbr. f.) Top

Add a new one! Suggest a correction!

No forms added yet.

Germination/Propagation Top

Suggest a correction or add new data!

20°C x 3 months or longer until a 4 cm radicle appears, then 4°C x 3 months, leaf appears while chilled or in next 20°C cycle

Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top

Legend for the distribution data:

- Doubtful data

- Extinct

- Introduced

- Native

Asia-temperate click to expand
- Western Asia
  - Turkey

Europe click to expand
- Eastern Europe
  - Ukraine
- Southeastern Europe
  - Albania
  - Bulgaria
  - Greece
  - Italy
  - Romania
  - Turkey-in-Europe
  - Yugoslavia

Links to other databases Top

Suggest others/fix!

Database	ID/link to page
World Flora Online	wfo-0000480678
Tropicos	27100122
Flora of Italy	1219
KEW	urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:711848-1
The Plant List	kew-2561077
Open Tree Of Life	163404
Observations.org	138197
NCBI Taxonomy	40717
IPNI	711848-1
iNaturalist	318951
GBIF	3614375
Freebase	/m/03hg630
EPPO	PAOPE
Elurikkus	595427
USDA GRIN	26331
Wikipedia	Paeonia_peregrina

Genomes (via NCBI) Top

No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.

Scientific Literature Top

Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.

Title

Authors

Publication

Released

IDs

Phytochemical Analysis, Biological Activities, and Molecular Docking Studies of Root Extracts from Paeonia Species in Serbia

Batinić P, Jovanović A, Stojković D, Zengin G, Cvijetić I, Gašić U, Čutović N, Pešić MB, Milinčić DD, Carević T, Marinković A, Bugarski B, Marković T

Pharmaceuticals (Basel)

17-Apr-2024

PMCID:	PMC11054981
doi:	10.3390/ph17040518
PMID:	38675478

Paeonia peregrina Mill Petals as a New Source of Biologically Active Compounds: Chemical Characterization and Skin Regeneration Effects of the Extracts

Marković T, Čutović N, Carević T, Gašić U, Stojković D, Xue J, Jovanović A

Int J Mol Sci

21-Jul-2023

PMCID:	PMC10380736
doi:	10.3390/ijms241411764
PMID:	37511520

Chemical Profile and Skin-Beneficial Activities of the Petal Extracts of Paeonia tenuifolia L. from Serbia

Čutović N, Marković T, Kostić M, Gašić U, Prijić Ž, Ren X, Lukić M, Bugarski B

Pharmaceuticals (Basel)

11-Dec-2022

PMCID:	PMC9787298
doi:	10.3390/ph15121537
PMID:	36558988

Local-scale impact of wind energy farms on rare, endemic, and threatened plant species

Urziceanu M, Anastasiu P, Rozylowicz L, Sesan TE

PeerJ

19-May-2021

PMCID:	PMC8140595
doi:	10.7717/peerj.11390
PMID:	34055481

Root Extracts of Two Cultivars of Paeonia Species: Lipid Composition and Biological Effects on Different Cell Lines: Preliminary Results

Calonghi N, Farruggia G, Boga C, Micheletti G, Fini E, Romani L, Telese D, Faraci E, Bergamini C, Cerini S, Rizzardi N

Molecules

27-Jan-2021

PMCID:	PMC7865396
doi:	10.3390/molecules26030655
PMID:	33513825

Présentation de Paeonia peregrina

Antoine Etienne Boullu

PERSEE Program

27-Mar-2018

doi:	10.3406/LINLY.1891.15426

Triterpenoid constituents from the roots of Paeonia rockii ssp. rockii.

Mencherini T, Picerno P, Festa M, Russo P, Capasso A, Aquino R

J Nat Prod

28-Oct-2011

doi:	10.1021/NP200359V
PMID:	21954959

Chemical constituents isolated from Paeonia lactiflora roots and their neuroprotective activity against oxidative stress in vitro.

Kim SH, Lee MK, Lee KY, Sung SH, Kim J, Kim YC

J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem

01-Oct-2009

doi:	10.1080/14756360802667977
PMID:	19772486

Two acylated monoterpene glucosides from Paeonia peregina

Ivanka N. Kostova, Mario F. Simeonov, Daniela I. Todorova, Petja L. Petkova

Elsevier BV

01-May-2003

doi:	10.1016/S0031-9422(97)01088-1

A monoterpene glucoside from Paeonia peregrina roots

Ivanka N. Kostova, Mario F. Simeonov, Daniela I. Todorova

Elsevier BV

25-Jul-2002

doi:	10.1016/S0031-9422(97)00683-3

Speciation through homoploid hybridization between allotetraploids in peonies (Paeonia)

Ferguson D, Sang T

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A

20-Mar-2001

PMCID:	PMC31153
doi:	10.1073/pnas.061288698
PMID:	11259655

Phytochemical Profile Top

Add a new one!

Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
You can also contribute to this by clicking here.

Name	PubChem ID	Canonical SMILES	MW	Found in	Proof
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Benzamides
Benzamide	2331	Click to see	121.14	unknown	https://doi.org/10.3406/LINLY.1891.15426
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Benzoic acid esters
(8-Hydroxy-3-methyl-5-oxo-2,9-dioxatricyclo[4.3.1.03,8]decan-10-yl)methyl benzoate	22116986	Click to see	318.32	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1021/NP200359V https://doi.org/10.1080/14756360802667977
[(1R,3S,6R,8R)-8-hydroxy-3-methyl-5-oxo-2,9-dioxatricyclo[4.3.1.03,8]decan-10-yl]methyl benzoate	137705375	Click to see CC12CC(=O)C3CC1(OC(C3COC(=O)C4=CC=CC=C4)O2)O	318.32	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)00683-3
[(1S,3S,6R,8R)-8-hydroxy-3-methyl-5-oxo-2,9-dioxatricyclo[4.3.1.03,8]decan-10-yl]methyl benzoate	6325770	Click to see	318.32	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1021/NP200359V https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)00683-3
[(1S,3S,6R,8S,10R)-8-hydroxy-3-methyl-5-oxo-2,9-dioxatricyclo[4.3.1.03,8]decan-10-yl]methyl benzoate	157288674	Click to see CC12CC(=O)C3CC1(OC(C3COC(=O)C4=CC=CC=C4)O2)O	318.32	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)00683-3
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Benzoic acids
Benzoic Acid	243	Click to see	122.12	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)00683-3
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives
4-Hydroxybenzoic acid	135	Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C(=O)O)O	138.12	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)00683-3
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives / Gallic acid and derivatives / Gallic acids
Gallic Acid	370	Click to see	170.12	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)00683-3
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene glycosides
[(2R,3R,4S,5R,6S)-6-[[(1S,2R,3S,5S,6S,8R)-2-(benzoyloxymethyl)-6-hydroxy-8-methyl-9,10-dioxatetracyclo[4.3.1.02,5.03,8]decan-3-yl]oxy]-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]methyl benzoate	162855854	Click to see	584.60	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)01088-1
[(2R,3S,4S,5R,6S)-6-[[(1R,3R,6S,8R,9S)-9-(benzoyloxymethyl)-8-hydroxy-6-methyl-4-oxo-7-oxatricyclo[4.3.0.03,9]nonan-1-yl]oxy]-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]methyl benzoate	102316447	Click to see	584.60	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)01088-1
[(2R,3S,4S,5R,6S)-6-[[(1R,3R,6S,8S,9S)-9-(benzoyloxymethyl)-8-hydroxy-6-methyl-4-oxo-7-oxatricyclo[4.3.0.03,9]nonan-1-yl]oxy]-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]methyl benzoate	102316446	Click to see	584.60	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)01088-1
[(2R,3S,4S,5R,6S)-6-[[(1S,3R,6S,8S,9R)-9-(benzoyloxymethyl)-8-hydroxy-6-methyl-4-oxo-7-oxatricyclo[4.3.0.03,9]nonan-1-yl]oxy]-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]methyl benzoate	163067478	Click to see	584.60	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)01088-1
[(2R,3S,4S,5R,6S)-6-[[(1S,3S,6R,8R,9R)-9-(benzoyloxymethyl)-8-hydroxy-6-methyl-4-oxo-7-oxatricyclo[4.3.0.03,9]nonan-1-yl]oxy]-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]methyl benzoate	163067479	Click to see	584.60	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)01088-1
[(2R,3S,4S,5R,6S)-6-[[(1S,6S,8S,9R)-9-(benzoyloxymethyl)-8-hydroxy-6-methyl-4-oxo-7-oxatricyclo[4.3.0.03,9]nonan-1-yl]oxy]-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]methyl benzoate	163194871	Click to see CC12CC(=O)C3CC1(C3(C(O2)O)COC(=O)C4=CC=CC=C4)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)COC(=O)C6=CC=CC=C6)O)O)O	584.60	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)01088-1
[(2R,3S,5R,6S)-6-[[(1S,3S,5S,6R,8S)-2-(Benzoyloxymethyl)-6-hydroxy-8-methyl-9,10-dioxatetracyclo[4.3.1.02,5.03,8]decan-3-yl]oxy]-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]methyl benzoate	11969006	Click to see	584.60	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)01088-1
[6-[[(1S,2S,3R,5R,6R,8S)-2-(benzoyloxymethyl)-6-hydroxy-8-methyl-9,10-dioxatetracyclo[4.3.1.02,5.03,8]decan-3-yl]oxy]-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]methyl benzoate	137704709	Click to see	584.60	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)01088-1 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)00683-3
[8-Methoxy-6-methyl-4-oxo-1-[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-7-oxatricyclo[4.3.0.03,9]nonan-9-yl]methyl benzoate	73211590	Click to see CC12CC(=O)C3CC1(C3(C(O2)OC)COC(=O)C4=CC=CC=C4)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O	494.50	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)00683-3
Paeoniflorin	442534	Click to see	480.50	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)01088-1
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Glycosyl compounds / O-glycosyl compounds
Ido(b1-2b)D-Sorf	93091914	Click to see C(C1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2(C(C(C(O2)CO)O)O)CO)O)O)O)O	342.30	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)01088-1
Sucrose	5988	Click to see	342.30	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)01088-1
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Monosaccharides / Hexoses
(2R,3S,4S,5R)-2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxyhexanal	3037556	Click to see C(C(C(C(C(C=O)O)O)O)O)O	180.16	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)01088-1
alpha-D-talopyranose	81696	Click to see	180.16	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)01088-1
D-Galactose	6036	Click to see	180.16	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)01088-1
D-Glucose	5793	Click to see C(C1C(C(C(C(O1)O)O)O)O)O	180.16	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)01088-1
D(+)-Glucose	107526	Click to see C(C(C(C(C(C=O)O)O)O)O)O	180.16	unknown	https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(97)01088-1