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More
Information:
Other
Common Names
Bupleurum
Page
Number In Radiant Health
184
Pharmaceutical
Latin
Bupleuri, Radix
Pinyin
Chai Hu
Treasures
None
Treasure
Rating
Atmospheric
Energy
Cold
Organ
Meridian Systems
Liver and Gall Bladder
Part
Used and Form
Sliced roots
Primary
Functions
Harmonizing. Relieves liver tension and discharges
surface heat.
Qualities
Bupleurum is one of the most important herbs used in
Chinese herbalism. It is not a tonic herb, but it is
useful in the tonic system because of its ability to
relieve Liver tension and digestive disturbances, and
because it is detoxifying and anti-microbial. Bupleurum
has the ability, when combined with other herbs to clear
stagnation virtually anywhere in the body. It can be
used to relieve spasms, muscle tension, lumps, bleeding
due to heat and menstrual irregularity. The essential
oil in Bupleurum is responsible for its ability to
relieve surface heat.
Bupleurum is the primary herb in dozens of classical
formulations which serve a wide variety of harmonizing
and decongesting activities. For example, Bupleurum and
Dragon Bone Combination, a classical formula, is superb
as a Shen stabilizing anti-stress formula. It is used
extensively in Japan to reduce tension and anxiety.
Bupleurum and Peony Combination and Bupleurum and Tang
Kuei Combination are the primary formulations for women
who suffer from hormonal imbalances resulting in
syndromes such as pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) and
menopausal distress. Bupleurum and Cyperus Combination
is a powerful digestive regulating formula and Bupleurum
and Rehmannia Combination is a powerful detoxifying
formula which is especially useful when there is
blockage in the lymph glands. A formula known as Minor
Bupleurum Combination is the most widely used formula in
the Japanese Kampo system of herbalism. Kampo is the
government certified Chinese herbal system used by
millions of patients in the national health care system
of Japan. Minor Bupleurum Combination is used in Kampo
for a wide range of problems, including hepatitis B, the
flu, liver cancer and more, all approved by the Japanese
Health Ministry. A slightly modified version has been
shown to block HIV replication and is thus being tested
in Japan for use by HIV infected individuals. Initial
studies have proven very favorable (See the discussion
of Scutellaria for more about this therapy). It is even
more widely used by health conscious people of Japan to
prevent flues, especially during the flu season, and
during recovery from the flu to speed up recovery and to
prevent relapses.
Bupleurum is a powerful, cold, detoxifying herb. It is
not a tonic herb. Therefor it has the potential to have
side effects if not used carefully. The primary side
effect is excessive detoxification in too short a period
of time. For this reason, Bupleurum should never be used
without being combined either with White Peony or
Scutellaria, both of which detoxify the blood and
eliminate heat. They tend to prevent over-zealous
detoxifying. The toxins will be released more or less
unnoticed by the bowels and through perspiration and
urination. Excessive intake of Bupleurum without the
appropriate amount of Scutellaria or Peony sometimes
causing a "toxic headache," a common sign of
detoxifying. Chinese herbalism does not generally
condone detoxifying so rapidly as to cause a headache.
Use more Peony or Scutellaria in your formula if you
discharge toxins so rapidly that it causes discomfort. A
tea of White Peony Root and Licorice Root can rapidly
counteract the toxic discharge and its symptoms caused
by Bupleurum. The toxins are not re-absorbed, they are
simply re-routed out by the proper means.
There are many such Bupleurum-based formulations, all of
which regulate body energy, allowing it to flow freely
and in a balanced manner, and for relieving blockages in
the body and then discharging the toxin safely out of
the system. Bupleurum formulas are extremely useful at
the early stages of tonic use in helping to establish
radiant health. They serve the purposes of relieving
blocks, imbalances and tension while eliminating toxins.
Bupleurum formulas are useful when taking tonics because
they assure that the newly abundant energy will flow
freely through the body. As time go by, these formulas
become less and less necessary until eventually they
only need to be used occasionally, if at all. These
formulas will be discussed in some detail in a later
section dealing with common imbalances.
Primary
Combinations
Combine with:
1. Scutellaria to relieve the surface, dredge and soothe
the Liver, purge heat, clear fever, and detoxify the
body
2. White Peony Root to do the same thing as Scutellaria,
but not as strongly (White Peony is usually used for
chronic conditions and Scutellaria is used for acute
conditions with raging fire. Peony moderates the release
of heat and pent-up tension that may result from the
detoxification)
3. Pinellia to relieve Lung congestion
Varieties
and Grading
Larger Bupleurum is usually considered to be stronger.
Contraindications
Use under to care of an herbalist. May cause rapid
detoxification, with symptoms such as headache and
anger. In cases of severe toxicity and improperly
balanced Bupleurum administration, skin sores can arise.
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Bupleurum
is one of the most important herbs used in Chinese
herbalism. It is not a tonic herb, but it is useful in
the tonic system because of its ability to relieve Liver
tension and digestive disturbances, and because it is
detoxifying and anti-microbial. Bupleurum has the
ability, when combined with other herbs to clear
stagnation virtually anywhere in the body. It can be
used to relieve spasms, muscle tension, lumps, bleeding
due to heat and menstrual irregularity. The essential
oil in Bupleurum is responsible for its ability to
relieve surface heat.