(1999)  Page(s) 298-299.  
 
Paeonia emodi Wall.
Family - Ranunculaceae (Paeoniaceae)
Local/Common name(s) - Udsalap, Udsalip, Himalayan Paeony.
Distribution - North-west Himalayas from Kashmir to Kumaon between 1600-3000m elevation. Also planted in Herbal garden at Nauni (Chauhan, N.S. 5938, 6648).
Description - A glabrous, perennial herb. Stem 30-60 cm, leafy, erect. Leaves alternate, 15-30 cm long; leaflets 3, usually 3-parted, segments lanceolate, pointed, entire. Flowers few, showy, 7.5-10 cm across, long-stalked, usually solitary in the axils of the upper leaves. Buds globose, sepals 5, orbicular, concave, green, persistent; the outer ones ending in a leaf like point. Petals 5-10, broadly ovate, concave, red or white. Stamens many ovaries 1-3, densely hairy, many ovuled, style short. Follicle ovoid, 2.5 cm approx. Seeds few, large in size.
Flowering/Fruiting - May-June.
Parts used - Tubers/rhizomes.
Current Market rate - Rs. 450/- per kg.
Chemical contents - Starch (9.5%), sucrose (5.4%), Malic acid (0.47%), Oxalic acid (0.36%), tartaric acid (0.34%) and benzoic acid are present in the roots. Root oil yielda n=alkanes, beta-amyrin, butyropermol, cycloartenol, lupeol, linoelic acid etc.
Properties and uses - Tuberous roots are used for intestinal diseases, colic, bilious obstructions, dropsy, epilepsy, convolutions and hysteria; given to children as blood purifier. Seeds are emetic. Plant is CNS depressant, hypothadermic, diuretic, anti-inflammatory and useful in gout.
Preparations - Mostly used in Unani drugs.
Cultivation - It can be cultivated through rhizome cuttings. Suitable sized rhizome pieces with 2-3 clear buds are selected and sown in furrows or pits mixed with FYM during February-March.