Hidden in the meadows of the Black Sea coast grows the rare coral-red Balkan Peony (Paeonia Peregrina). It is found only on the Balkan Peninsula, especially in Bulgaria and Turkey, and more rarely in Romania and Serbia. It can also be found in local light deciduous forests, scrublands and rocky valleys. It is one of the sought-after medicinal herbs there, especially in connection with female beauty and female health. Its dried petals are a treasure of natural medicine. They are collected in May and June. And after drying, they acquire a delicate aroma and a sweet-bitter taste.
Peony in folk medicine
Balkan peony is a traditional natural remedy for toning the smooth muscles of the uterus, relieving menstrual pain, epilepsy and whooping cough. A tea made from dried flower petals is used to suppress coughs. Herbariums also mention the effects of this tea in the treatment of hemorrhoids and varicose veins.
Rare floral water
The transformation of dried red Balkan peony flowers creates, through a distillation process, 100% floral water, which tones and refreshes the skin. It is ideal for the first wrinkles. And not only that! A compress made from Balkan peony flower water can soothe cracked and irritated skin. With its earthy, slightly sweet herbal scent with green tones, which resembles strong green tea, it relaxes and relieves nervousness and headaches. However, don't expect any delicate flower. Its aroma is really distinctly earthy.
Striking coral red color
Whenever you see it in person, you are struck by the coral-red color of its petals. It is caused by a pigment cyanide, which appears only sporadically in other species. “The Balkan peony has become popular with breeders due to its flower color; we can find it in the family tree of many varieties with poppy or coral red flowers.” (P. Sekerka – Peonies of Europe - well-known and yet astonishing.) In the 16th century, it was brought to Austria-Hungary from Constantinople (today's Istanbul) and designated as Paeonia femina byzantica. In Czech taxonomy, it is found as a foreign, common or Balkan peony.
In the gardens of the emperors
In China, the peony is a symbol of wealth and power and is recognized as the queen of flowers! The first records of its cultivation date back to the 3rd century during the Chinese Han Dynasty. By now, the peony genus has grown to include several thousand cultivars. In Luoyang, China, there is even a “peony city” (National Peony Garden), where 100 species of these flowers bloom every year.
Peony in Greek mythology
Greek name Paeonia is derived from Paeony, the healer of the gods. His success angered the god of medicine, Asclepius, so much that he wanted revenge. He was only saved by being transformed into a beautiful flower.
Peony in medieval legends and today
Did you know that some peoples believed that peonies planted in the garden would protect them from storms and evil?! In medieval France, they made a “Saint Gertrude’s rosary”, which was peony seeds strung on a red thread and sprinkled with holy water. This amulet was supposed to ward off evil fairies and goblins. As a symbol of prosperity, red peonies are still used as decorations at weddings. They symbolize happy years together.
Information taken from:
Pavlína Kourková – The Soul of Flowers, 2022.
Д-р Д. Памуковр, Проф Х. Akhtardzhiev – Природна аптека, 1981
Pavel Sekerka – Peonies of Europe – well-known and yet astonishing, published in the e-journal of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic ŽIVA https://ziva.avcr.cz/files/ziva/pdf/pivonky-evropy-zname-a-presto-udivujici.pdf
