It exudes an enchanting scent and, with its large number of large and colorful flowers, provides colorful accents in the plant world in spring. To what extent the peony is edible and why you shouldn't have it on your daily menu - find out below!
Peonies are edible and even have medicinal properties
Edible yes, but poisonous in high doses
Basically, not much will happen if you eat a few leaves of peony flowers. However, from a certain consumption level, which varies from person to person, you can expect symptoms of poisoning. Among other things, peonies contain glycosides and alkaloids, which are symptomatically expressed in high amounts in:
- stomach pain
- intestinal colic
- Vomit
- nausea
Therefore, be sure to pay attention to the amount consumed! Never add more than 100g of the peony to smoothies, mixed salads or other foods where the flavor of the plant can no longer be appreciated. Eaten on its own, you will quickly notice when your body has had enough of the plant. The taste becomes unpleasant.
Mainly roots and flowers are used
Peony roots and peony flowers have been used for medicinal purposes since ancient times. Today, this plant is particularly well known in Asia and is used for various physical ailments. The roots are mainly used dried as a powder and the petals. The seeds are also rarely used.
Peonies have a blood-forming, anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, protective, regulating, menstrual-promoting effect and influence the hormone balance. For example, they can be used for:
- spasms in the intestines
- gout and rheumatism
- hemorrhoids
- mucosal diseases
- skin diseases
- respiratory symptoms
- menstrual cramps
- epilepsy
- a headache
- kidney pain
Prepare peony blossom tea
The healing powers of the peony can be used in the form of a tea infusion. For a cup of tea you need 1 teaspoon of the dried petals (simply cut and dry the petals in May/June). Let the tea steep for 10 minutes and drink it 2 to 3 times a day.
tips
As a precaution, children and pets should not taste the peony. The toxins they contain have a much faster and negative effect, even in small amounts, on smaller creatures in particular.