Bupleurum, Chai Hu, 柴胡
Hare's Ear, Thoroghwax
Chai Hu (TCM)
Chai Hu (TCM)
Cut Bupleurum Chai Hu (Adam 2023)
Botanical name:
Bupleurum chinense, B. scorzonerifolium
Local varieties used include: B. marginatum, B. bicaule, B. sibiricum, B. longicaule, B. smithii
Parts used:
Root; the herb (above-ground parts) are used similarly, and the whole herb with root, collected in Spring, is also used.
Temperature & Taste:
Cool, dry. Bitter, pungent
Classifications:
A. Clear the Exterior
Bupleurum chinense, B. scorzonerifolium
Local varieties used include: B. marginatum, B. bicaule, B. sibiricum, B. longicaule, B. smithii
Parts used:
Root; the herb (above-ground parts) are used similarly, and the whole herb with root, collected in Spring, is also used.
Temperature & Taste:
Cool, dry. Bitter, pungent
Classifications:
A. Clear the Exterior
ADVERTISEMENT:
Uses:
1. Clears Wind-Heat, Reduces Fever, Clears Toxin:
-'Lesser Yang' disorders in TCM: chills and fever, bitter taste, flank pain, irritability
-Wind-Heat attack with Fever; Malarial Fevers
-adjunct herb for Deficient Heat
-Boils, Carbuncles, Furuncles
-heat conditions of the Eyes or Ears; Blurry vision, acute Deafness or Tinnitus
-Influenza, epidemic heat diseases, whole body pain from heat (Tibetan Medicine)
-'ante- and post-partum Fever' (Zhang Yuan Su)
2. Moves Liver Qi, Opens Obstructions:
-Emotional instability
-Menstrual disorders with Qi stagnation
-Chest and Flank distention; Hypochondriac distention
-Dizziness, Vertigo
-imbalance between Liver and Spleen: abdominal fullness and bloating, flank pain, nausea, indigestion
-'pain in the back and shoulders due to invasion of pathogenic Heat'. (Zhen Quan)
-'Long-term taking of the drug makes the person happy' (Shen Nong Ben Cao)
3. Raises Yang Qi:
-dragging feeling in the lower abdomen
-Prolapses of the Uterus or Anus from sinking Qi
-raises the 'clear Yang' to the head
Dose:
Decoction: 3–9 grams
Preparation:
... available in PRO version
Comment:
1. Despite Bupleurum Chai Hu being given several important functions in modern TCM, its primary indication both in the Shang Han Lun and by later writers such as Su Song was for Chills and Fever: 'Later doctors all take Bupleurum Chai Hu as a very important drug for the treatment of diseases with chills and fever'.
2. The European ThoroughWax (B. rotunifolium) was known as a medicine in Europe, but was rarely used. Its principle use was for Hernia, as well as Bruises, Wounds and chronic Ulcers. As can be seen from the illustration at the top of the page, both B. rotundifolium and B. falcatum are native to Europe, the latter being used in some areas for Bupleurum Chai Hu in TCM.
Decoction: 3–9 grams
Preparation:
... available in PRO version
Comment:
1. Despite Bupleurum Chai Hu being given several important functions in modern TCM, its primary indication both in the Shang Han Lun and by later writers such as Su Song was for Chills and Fever: 'Later doctors all take Bupleurum Chai Hu as a very important drug for the treatment of diseases with chills and fever'.
2. The European ThoroughWax (B. rotunifolium) was known as a medicine in Europe, but was rarely used. Its principle use was for Hernia, as well as Bruises, Wounds and chronic Ulcers. As can be seen from the illustration at the top of the page, both B. rotundifolium and B. falcatum are native to Europe, the latter being used in some areas for Bupleurum Chai Hu in TCM.
Main Combinations:
Fever, Infection
1. Wind-Cold Cold or Flu:
i. Bupleurum Chai Hu with ... available in PRO version
ii, Bupleurum Chai Hu with ... available in PRO version
2. Lesser Yang disorders with Chills and Fever, fullness in the chest and hyponchondria; and acute Phlegm-Heat disorders, Bupleurum Chai Hu with ... available in PRO version
3. Alternating Fever and Chills, Bupleurum Chai Hu with ... available in PRO version
4. Malarial disorders, Bupleurum Chai Hu with ... available in PRO version
5. Chronic Malarial disorder, Bupleurum Chai Hu, ... available in PRO version
6. Deficient Heat, Bupleurum Chai Hu with ... available in PRO version
7. Fever of Consumption, Bupleurum Chai Hu with ... available in PRO version
Qi Stagnation
8. Pain and distention of the hypochondria, Bupleurum Chai Hu with ... available in PRO version
9. Constrained Q, Liver Qi Stagnationi:
i. Liver Qi obstruction, with Vertigo, Dizziness, Menstrual irregularity, Emotional disharmony, Bupleurum Chai Hu with ... available in PRO version
ii. Bupleurum Chai Hu with ... available in PRO version
iii. Bupleurum Chai Hu with ... available in PRO version
10. Breast Lumps, Nodes, Hyperplasia, Bupleurum Chai Hu with ... available in PRO version
11. Emotional disharmony, Depression, Bupleurum Chai Hu with ... available in PRO version
12. Menstrual irregularities, Bupleurum Chai Hu with ... available in PRO version
Diseases of the Head
13. Headache from Trauma or Wind-Cold, Bupleurum Chai Hu with ... available in PRO version
14. Blurry vision, Bupleurum Chai Hu with ... available in PRO version
15. Tinnitus, Bupleurum Chai Hu with ... available in PRO version
Other
16. Liver heat, Bupleurum Chai Hu with ... available in PRO version
17. To raise the Clear Yang, Bupleurum Chai Hu with ... available in PRO version
18. Prolapse of the Rectum or Uterus, Bupleurum Chai Hu with ... available in PRO version
Major Formulas:
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Chai Hu Shu Gan San
Da Chai Hu Tang
Dan Zhi Xiao Yan San (Jia Wei Xiao Yao San)
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
Si Ni San
Xiao Chai Hu Tang
Xiao Yao San
Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang
ADVERTISEMENT:
Cautions:
1. Not used in Yin deficiency
2. Not used in rising Liver Yang
Main Preparations used:
1. Not used in Yin deficiency
2. Not used in rising Liver Yang
Main Preparations used:
Click the Tabs above for more information on this Medicine