Bupleurum

Pinyin Name: Chai HuLiteral Name: "kindling of the barbarians"Original Source: Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (Divine Husbandman’s Classic of the Materia Medica) in the second centuryEnglish Name: bupleurum, hare’s ear, Chinese thorowax root, red thorowax rootBotanical Name: Bupleurum chinense DC. (Bei Chai Hu); Bupleurum scorzoneraefoliumWilld. (Nan Chai Hu)Pharmaceutical Name: Radix BupleuriProperties: bitter, acrid, coolChannels Entered: Liver, Gallbladder

CHINESE THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS1. Harmonizes the Exterior and the Interior

2. Spreads the Liver and Relieves LiverQi Stagnation

3. Lifts Yang Qi

DOSAGE3 to 10 grams. The maximum dosage of Chai Hu is 60 grams. Treatment of organ prolapse relies on only a small dosage (3 grams) to raise yang qi. Treatment of malaria, however, requires a larger dose (10 to 15 grams). Unprocessed Chai Hu has a stronger effect to ascend and disperse, and is commonly used to release the exterior and reduce fever. The vinegar-fried herb more effectively regulates Liver qi, and is commonly used to relieve hypochondriac pain, abdominal pain, and menstrual cramps. 

CHEMICAL COMPOSITIONTriterpenoids (saikosaponin A, B, C, D, E; saikogenin F,G, E; saikoside), essential oils 0.06-0.16% (r-heptalactone,r-decalactone), carbohydrates, flavone, coumarin, organic acid.

Bupleurum