Chai Hu Bupleurum Root, Ⅰ
In this day and age, where extreme stress is one of the more common experiences of life, we are fortunate to have the advanced knowledge that the current level of science and technology can give us. We can now add this knowledge to the accumulated research of those Chinese Herbal Masters who have gone before us.
This article is an in-depth look into one of the most important Chinese Herbs in all of Chinese Herbal Medicine history.
This information is from both the Chinese Medicine point of view and a current scientific point of view, looking into the functions of a few of the active ingredients found therein.
After reading through this information you may find that the Chinese Herb Chai Hu will be definitely one you will want to have in your Chinese Herbal Medicine Cabinet!
Chinese Name: Chai Hu
Common Name: Bupleurum Root
Botanical Name: Bupleurum chinense
Other Name: Hare’s ear root, Thorowax root
Literal Translation Chinese to English: “Kindling of the Barbarians”
Properties:
Nature: bitter, acrid, cool
Meridians: Gallbladder, Liver, Pericardium, Triple Burner
With Chinese Medicine, Chai Hu is classified as an Chinese Herb that “Releases the Exterior”, yet it really does so much more. Chai Hu can reduce fever, including a specialized disorder categorization in Chinese Medicine called the “Lesser Yang”.
This condition can often presents with:
- alternating chills and fever
- bitter taste in mouth
- inter-costal pain
- vomiting
- constriction or oppression feeling in the chest
- and irritability
It’s also a key Chinese Herb in resolving Liver Chi Congestion because of its excellence in relaxing and opening up your Liver Organ System, which allows for the Chinese Medicine Pattern of Liver Chi to be dispersed.
Chai Hu’s cool and bitter nature is key in addressing Liver Heat. Liver Heat is often a byproduct of Liver Chi Congestion, since as we know, friction generates heat. Such is the same with an excess of Chi. With Liver Chi Congestion, an overabundance of Chi that has been trapped and constricted creates tension in your body as it attempts to circulates throughout your chest. Over time, this phenomena creates heat which often manifests in various types of inflammation, showing up anywhere from a hot temper, to red eyes to an upset stomach with bad breath.
It also has a tertiary function in raising the Chi, which greatly assists your Spleen Organ System Yang when it is raising important substances (Chi and refined fluids) to your upper body. Your Spleen Yang is key in its function of distributing fluids from your digestive system to the upper body-in particular your Lung Organ System and skin.
While this is not a primary function, it is an important Chinese Herb when your Spleen Chi is collapsing and needs support in its important responsibility for lifting all of your internal organ systems. Chai Hu is also an important assistant to other Chinese Herbs such as Huang Qi such as with our H&E CMHC Uplift Central Chi – Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang Formula where lifting and fortifying your Yang is its primary goal.