Chai Hu (Thorowax Root, Bupleurum)

Submitted by yyh_staff on Mon, 2008-06-09 11:07.
Chinese Name: 
Chai Hu
English Name: 
Thorowax Root, Bupleurum
Functions and Usage: 
  • Clears shao yang disorders and reduces fever - alternating chills and fever, bitter taste in the mouth, irritability, vomiting, stifling sensation in the chest.
  • Relieves liver qi stagnation (often used with Bai Shao) - vertigo, menstrual disorders, chest and flank pain, the most common herb to treat stress, irritability, depression, etc.; also for liver and spleen disharmony - bloating, nausea, indigestion, flank pain.
  • Raises yang qi in spleen and stomach deficiency patterns (often used with Sheng Ma) - prolapsed organ, diarrhea, hemorrhoids.
Functional Groupings (Click for Summary/Study Notes): 
Dosage and Preparation Notes: 
  • Dosage: 3-12g
Channels Influenced: 
Temperature and Taste Properties: 
Contraindications: 
  • Due to its rising and dispersing nature avoid in yin deficiency or liver yang rising.
  • May cause nausea or vomiting - use a smaller dose if necessary.
Notes: 
  • Compare with Ge Gen and Sheng Ma.
  • Research indicates antibiotic, antiviral, and tranquilizing effects.
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  • Jin, Yan Ping: New England School of Acupuncture, CHM Pharmacopoeia I and II, Formulas I and II Lecture Notes

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