Peony Evading, Or Maryin Root.

Evading Peony, or Maryin Root: description of the plant and its use

Peony evasive, also known as Maryin Root, is a perennial herbaceous plant that is common in northeastern Russia, the Urals, southern Siberia, the mountains of Kazakhstan and Central Asia. Peony grows in forests, taiga meadows, clearings and forest edges, preferring rich humus, well-drained soils and places protected from the winds.

The rhizome is powerful, the tubers are spindle-shaped, red-brown, white at the break, quickly darkening, with a strong specific odor. The stems are thick, erect, numerous, densely leafy, convex-lumpy, with a single apical flower. Leaves are bare, petiolate. The leaf blade is divided twice or thrice into lanceolate segments. Peony blooms from late May to late June. The flowers are purple-pink, large. The fruit is a multi-leafed group. Ripens in August - September.

The evasive peony has a wide range of uses. In Siberia, peony roots are used as a seasoning for meat dishes, in Kazakhstan - for making porridge. The raw material is part of the Baikal drink. Roasted roots can replace brewing tea. The plant is a good honey plant.

The entire plant serves as medicinal raw material. The above-ground part is cut off during flowering. The roots are partially dug up at any time during the plant’s growing season, shaken off the ground, the above-ground part is separated and washed. Dry in the attic or under a canopy. As soon as the raw material becomes brittle, it is dried in a dryer at a temperature of 45-60°C. It tastes sweetish-hot, slightly astringent, and has a unique, strong smell.

Peony is propagated by seeds, dividing the bush, layering, pieces of rhizomes with roots and stem cuttings. Seeds are collected in August and immediately sown on ridges or in holes to a depth of 2-3 cm. Shoots appear in the spring. Seedlings develop slowly. They bloom in the 3-4th year. A rhizome intended for propagation should have two or three shoots with buds. It is planted in August - September in a deep hole, at the bottom of which a 20 cm layer of humus is placed. After planting, the plant is watered and mulched.

Peony evasive has many medicinal properties. In folk medicine, it is used as a remedy that improves digestion, bile secretion, antiseptic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, hemostatic and analgesic. In Chinese medicine, peony is widely used to treat menstrual disorders, problems with the cardiovascular system, and also as a sedative and anticonvulsant.

However, before using peony as a medicine, you should consult your doctor and make sure there are no contraindications. The plant is not recommended for use by pregnant and lactating women, as well as people with hypersensitivity to its components.

Thus, the evasive peony, or Maryin Root, is an interesting and useful plant that is widely used in cooking and medicine. However, before using it, you should familiarize yourself with the contraindications and consult your doctor.