PAEONIA OFFICINALIS

PEONY

Description:  Natural Order, Ranunculaceae.  This is the showy peony of our gardens, with its perennial and fleshy roots, and large gaudy flowers.

Properties and Uses:  The root of this plant is possessed of mildly relaxing properties of the antispasmodic order.  An infusion made of an ounce of the roots to a pint of warm water may be given freely in the spasms and colics of children, and will frequently remove flatus.   Formerly a fabulous reputation was connected with it for the treatment of epilepsy, chorea, and other convulsions; but its powers are too mild to be of any service in such cases.