Bupleurum chinense
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Bupleurum chinense is a plant of the Apiaceae family.
[edit] Ethnomedical Uses
Bupleurum (Thorowax) is a medicinal root found natively in East Asia. The Chinese name is chaihu (柴胡). The leaves of the plant are long and thin and resemble fennel.
- Traditionally used to relieve infections with fever, hemorrhoids and indigestion.
- Also used to treat liver stagnation (Qi), irritability, and liver disease.
Bupleurum is a primary ingredient an ancient Chinese medicinal formula known as Xiao Chai Hu Tang, first recorded in the Treatise on Cold Induced Febrile Disease (Shang Han Lun) circa 280 AD. The ingredients are:
- Bupleurum 16%
- Paeonia lactiflora (peony root) 16%
- Pinellia ternata (a rhizome) 14%
- Cinnamomum cassia (fool's cinnamon) 11%
- Zingiber officinale (ginger rhizome) 11%
- Zizyphus jujuba (jujube fruit) 11%
- Panax ginseng (Asian ginseng root) 8%
- Scutellaria baicalensis (Chinese skullcap root) 8%
- Glycyrrhiza uralensis (licorice) 5%
It is possible that Bupleurum, or xiaochaihutang may reduce the symptoms of various types of hepatitis and HIV. This formula should not be taken without a prescription from a licensed practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine and should not be taken for prolonged periods of time and could cause headache, dizziness and bleeding of the gums.
[edit] References
- Chinese Herbal Medicine Formulas and Strategies; Bensky & Barolet, 1990 Eastland Press, Inc.
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