Australian growers excited over peonies’ medicinal benefits

Peony growers in Tasmania possibly have a new revenue stream as the University of Tasmania is exploring the medicinal use of the flower.

According to the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA), peonies are popular and profitable but there are many risks for growers.

The roots of the common Chinese peony have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for their antiinflammatory properties. The TIA said that this year, close to 5 000 growers registered in Australia with the Chinese Medicine Board. In the next two years, the team would prove that the Australian peonies were as good as the Chinese flower.

The trial, which is being led by a doctoral student from the university, will be conducted on farms in northern Tasmania. The team will look at both pre- and post-harvest factors that may affect levels of paeoniflorin in the roots, including fertiliser use and flower bud removal.

The agriculture department said the project would be of huge economic benefit to agriculture in the region.

A farmer in Tasmania said the flowers were harvested at the end of spring, a stressful period due to weather concerns.

In addition, there were concerns about workers packing them carefully.

However, a two-month harvest season generated enough income to sustain the farm for a year.

They were looking forward to another revenue stream in the roots as one could dig them out at any stage of growth, even if the flower was damaged.

An importer of Chinese herbal medicine in Australia, Maria Zong, said having a local supply would cut down waiting times.

Tasmanian growers would be assisting with the university’s research. –

UNSPLASH The medicinal benefits of the white peony root include helping to reduce inflammation, say Australian Chinese medicine practitioners.