Dual Purpose Peonies: Do Tasmanian Grown Peonies Have Potential as a Traditional Chinese Herb?

Trials are underway in the state’s north to determine whether Tasmania could produce peony roots for the Traditional Chinese Medicine market (TCM).

PhD Candidate with the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA) Celia van Sprang is researching the herbaceous species Paeonia lactiflora, to investigate whether peony roots produced in Tasmania are comparable in quality to those produced in China.

Miss van Sprang said initial studies were positive.

“Peony roots are the primary plant part used in TCM where the key bioactive, paeoniflorin, is produced. The main indication of root quality is the paeoniflorin content,” Miss van Sprang said.

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