Chai Hu 柴胡

 

Species Name: Bupleurum chinense
Pharmaceutical Name: Radix Bupleuri

Common English Names: Bupleurum Root, Hare’s Ear Root, Thorowax Root, Red Thorowax Root, Asian Buplever Root

 

Category
Herbs that Release the Exterior: Cool Acrid Herbs that Release the Exterior (Wind-Heat Diaphoretics)

 

Flavor

Bitter
Acrid
(Astringent)

Temperature

Cool
(Neutral)

Meridians Entered

Gallbladder
Liver
Pericardium
San Jiao (Triple Burner)

Dosage

3-12g

 

Actions & Indications

Resolves Shao Yang disorders and reduces fever (harmonizes the Exterior and Interior)

Shao Yang Stage with alternating chills and fever, a bitter taste, dizziness, tinnitus, flank pain, irritability, vomiting and a stifling sensation in the chest

Spreads Liver Qi and relieves Stagnation

Liver Qi Stagnation with dizziness, vertigo, chest and flank pain, emotional instability and menstrual problems

Disharmony between the Liver and Spleen with epigastric and flank pain, a stifling sensation in the chest, abdominal bloating, nausea and indigestion

Liver/Gallbladder Disharmony

Raises Yang Qi (specifically the Clear Qi of the Stomach and Gallbladder)

Spleen and Stomach Yang Deficiency, Qi collapse (prolapse) with hemorrhoids, vaginal discharge, bleeding or exhaustion

Disperses Wind-Heat and resolves Phlegm and congestion

Wind-Heat presentations like stuffy, itchy nose with red eyes and dryness

 

Important Herbal Notes

Contraindications

  • Contraindicated for those with Yin Deficiency cough.

  • Contraindicated for those with Yin and/or Fluid Deficiency (severe Yin Damage).

  • Contraindicated for those with Liver Fire or Yang Rising ascending to the head.

  • This herb may cause nausea or vomiting. To counteract, use smaller dosage.

  • Do not use alone continuously.

Herb/Drug Interactions

None Known