Mu Dan Pi-Moutan Cortex

牡丹皮 (Moutan Cortex), the root bark of the peony tree (Paeonia suffruticosa), is a valued herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Known for its cooling and blood-activating properties, it effectively clears heat and resolves blood stasis, making it particularly useful for heat-related and blood stagnation conditions.

Key Benefits
Clears Heat (清热凉血): Reduces fever and night sweats caused by yin deficiency
Activates Blood (活血化瘀): Addresses blood stasis in menstrual disorders and trauma
Cools the Blood (凉血止血): Helps control bleeding due to blood heat
Anti-inflammatory (消炎): Modern research supports its anti-inflammatory effects

Dosage & Administration
Standard Decoction: 6-12g boiled with other herbs
Powder Form: 3-6g taken with cool water
Topical Use: Powder mixed with water for skin inflammation
Classic Combinations:
With Anemarrhena and Rehmannia for yin deficiency heat
With Persica and Carthamus for blood stasis
With Gardenia for bleeding due to heat

Characteristics
Taste: Pungent, bitter
Nature: Slightly cold

Safety Notes
Contraindicated during pregnancy
Use cautiously in patients with cold deficiency
Avoid in cases of excessive menstrual bleeding
May interact with anticoagulant medications