Bupleurum Root (Chai Hu)
柴胡 · Cháihú
Bupleurum chinense
Family: Apiaceae · Part used: Root · Origin: Shanxi & Gansu, China
Nature
Cool
Flavor
Bitter
Meridian
Liver, Gallbladder, Pericardium
Chai Hu is the herald of the shao yang — the herb that harmonizes the interior and exterior when illness lingers between. As the chief of Xiao Chai Hu Tang, it soothes liver constraint, lifts sinking yang, and resolves the alternation of chills and fever. No herb is more central to modern stress-related patterns.
🌿 Functions & Actions
- •Harmonizes and resolves shao yang disorders
- •Soothes the liver and relieves constraint
- •Lifts sinking yang qi
📋 Traditional Indications
- •Alternating chills and fever
- •Costal distension and discomfort
- •Irritability and mood swings
- •Irregular menstruation from liver constraint
- •Prolapse from sinking qi (with astragalus)
📖 Usage & Dosage
3–10 g in decoction; low doses lift yang, moderate doses soothe the liver.
🍵 Classic Recipes
Xiao Chai Hu Tang
Bupleurum + pinellia + scutellaria + ginger + ginseng + licorice + jujube — the great harmonizer.
Chai Hu Shu Gan Tea
Bupleurum 5 g + rose buds 3 g + chen pi 3 g, steeped for stress and constraint.
🔬 Modern Research
Saikosaponins a and d are studied for hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antidepressant-like effects.
⚠️ Contraindications
Avoid in liver yang rising and yin-deficiency with heat; long-term high dosing requires professional supervision.
