Paeonia suffruticosa, also known as moutan or tree peony, is a flowering shrub with large fragrant flowers native to China. The genus is named after the mythical Greek figure Paeon. Legend tells us that Paeon was saved from death by being turned into a peony plant. 

P. suffruticosa root is important in Traditional Chinese Medicine, with its use recorded in China`s Pharmacopoeia. It is indicated as a sedative, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory agent. These actions are thought to be attributed to the biochemically active paeoniflorin partly. The significant anti-oxidant activity has also been reported via the actions of flavonoids located in the moutan’s root cortex, which, as well as reducing damage caused by ROS and RNS, also interrupt melanin formation. Paeonol and quercetin are thought to be at least partially responsible for the anti-oxidant actions. Additionally, paeonol has been isolated as the active anti-allergic component.