Bupleurum

Species Name: thorowax or bupleurum chinese.

Other Names by Which Bupleurum is Known: Hare's Ear or the Chinese name for Bupleurum, Chaihu.

Bupleurum is a primary ingredient in a Chinese medicinal formula known as Xiao Chai Hu Tang, which contains:

  • Bupleurum 16%
  • Peony root 16%
  • A rhizome 14%
  • Fool's cinnamon 11%
  • Ginger rhizome 11%
  • Jujube fruit 11%
  • Asian ginseng root 8%
  • Chinese skullcap root 8%
  • Licorice 5%

What is Bupleurum? Bupleurum is a medicinal root with long, thin leaves of the plant that resemble fennel.  It is a native plant of East Asia.

Home Remedies using Bupleurum:

Benefits of Bupleurum:

Traditionally used to relieve infections with fever, hemorrhoids and indigestion, it is also used to treat liver stagnation, irritability, and liver disease.

Uses of Bupleurum:

Bupleurum is used to relieve infections with fever, hemorrhoids and indigestion. It is also used to treat liver stagnation, irritability, and liver disease, as well as showing positive results in the treatment of Primary Thrombocytopenic Purpura.

It is possible that Bupleurum, or xiaochaihutang, may reduce the symptoms of various types of hepatitis and HIV. It can be used to relieve spasms, muscle tension, lumps, and bleeding due to menstrual irregularity.

Bupleurum root is dug in spring or autumn, dried in sunlight, sliced, used unprepared or stir-baked with wine or vinegar, to reduce fever, soothing the liver and invigorating the spleen. Bupleurum is available in capsules.

Side Effects of Bupleurum:

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.

Because bupleurum has lifting and floating actions, it is contraindicated for tinnitus, deafness, dizziness and headache.