Chai Hu
StarBupleurum chinense DC.
Synonyms: Bupleurum chinense f. vanheurckii (Müll.Arg.) R.H.Shan & Yin Li, Bupleurum falcatum f. ensifolium H.Wolff, Bupleurum togasii Kitag., Bupleurum vanheurckii Müll.Arg.
Traditionally used for
- Cough & breathing
- Colds & fever
- Digestion
- Bowel health
- Urinary & fluids
- Menstrual & women's health
- Mood & calm
- Energy & fatigue
Cautions & contraindications
- Liver conditions
☯ TCM Properties
Resolves Shao Yang disorders and reduces fever; Spreads Liver Qi and relieves Stagnation; Raises Yang Qi (Clear Qi of the Stomach and Gallbladder); Disperses Wind-Heat and resolves Phlegm
Traditional Chinese Uses
Chai Hu (bupleurum root) is a cool, acrid herb with an ascending, dispersing nature that makes it uniquely suited to resolving issues at the Shao Yang level of the body. It is used to harmonize the Shao Yang for the alternating fever and chills of Shao Yang syndrome, to spread Liver Qi for emotional depression, chest and flank tightness, and menstrual irregularities, and to raise sinking Spleen Qi for organ prolapse and chronic diarrhea. It is the primary herb in many of the most frequently used formulas in Chinese medicine.
Western Herbalism Properties
Used In Formulas (6)
Botanical Description
Grasslands, stream banks, sunny slopes and roadsides, 100–2700 m (Flora of China).
Active Constituents
Saikosaponin a
Oleanane-type triterpenoid saponinConcentration: One of the principal saikosaponins; total saikosaponins ~ up to several % of root
Major bioactive saponin with anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective and antipyretic activity. Modulates NF-κB and MAPK signaling and contributes to the fever-reducing and Liver-protecting actions of Radix Bupleuri.
Saikosaponin d
Oleanane-type triterpenoid saponinConcentration: Principal saikosaponin and key quality marker
The most pharmacologically potent saikosaponin. Exhibits strong anti-inflammatory (glucocorticoid-like), hepatoprotective, antifibrotic, antiviral and antitumor activity; also the constituent most associated with dose-dependent hepatotoxicity at high exposure.
Saikosaponin c
Oleanane-type triterpenoid saponinConcentration: One of the three most common saikosaponins
Triterpenoid saponin with antiviral, anti-inflammatory and endothelial/anti-atherogenic effects; part of the saikosaponin fraction responsible for the herb's Shao-Yang harmonizing and Liver-coursing actions.
Bupleuran 2IIc
Pectic polysaccharideConcentration: Major water-soluble polysaccharide of the root
Immunomodulatory and anti-ulcer pectic polysaccharide. Activates the complement system and mucosal immunity and protects the gastric mucosa in experimental models.
Bupleurum essential oil (incl. terpenoid volatiles)
Volatile terpenoid oilConcentration: Small volatile fraction of the root
Essential-oil fraction implicated in the antipyretic (fever-reducing) and antimicrobial effects traditionally used for exterior wind-heat and Shao-Yang fevers.
Rutin
Flavonoid glycosideConcentration: Most common flavonoid of the genus
Antioxidant and vascular-protective flavonoid contributing to anti-inflammatory and capillary-stabilizing activity of the whole extract.
α-Spinasterol
PhytosterolConcentration: Minor sterol constituent
Plant sterol with anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activity that contributes to the overall anti-inflammatory profile of Bupleurum root.
⚠ Drug Interactions
Interferon-alfa
The Bupleurum-containing formula sho-saiko-to (Xiao Chai Hu Tang) has been associated with interstitial pneumonitis, and multiple case reports describe acute pneumonitis when it is combined with interferon in patients with chronic hepatitis. An immune-mediated hypersensitivity mechanism (positive lymphocyte stimulation tests) is proposed.
Clinical note: Bupleurum-based formulas such as sho-saiko-to should not be combined with interferon; onset is fever, dry cough and dyspnea with diffuse pulmonary infiltrates, responsive to corticosteroids on withdrawal.
Hepatotoxic drugs (e.g., high-dose acetaminophen, methotrexate)
High or prolonged doses of saikosaponins (notably saikosaponin d) can themselves cause hepatocellular injury; concurrent use with other hepatotoxic agents may be additive.
Clinical note: Avoid large or prolonged doses in patients on hepatotoxic drugs or with existing liver disease; monitor transaminases.
Corticosteroids (e.g., prednisolone)
Saikosaponins exhibit glucocorticoid-potentiating activity and can prolong/enhance endogenous and exogenous corticosteroid effects, theoretically increasing both efficacy and steroid-related adverse effects.
Clinical note: Consider when patients combine Bupleurum preparations with systemic corticosteroids; clinical significance not well quantified.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 3–10 g | daily | — | adult | 中国药典 2020年版 一部 【柴胡】【用法与用量】3～10g。 【注意】大叶柴胡Bupleurum longiradiatum Turcz.的干燥根茎，表面密生环节，有毒，不可当柴胡用。 — Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2020, Vol. I. Bupleurum longiradiatum (大叶柴胡) rhizome is toxic and must not be substituted for Chai Hu. Use vinegar-fried to spread Liver Qi. |
Preparation Methods
Raw (sheng Chai Hu) decoction
Parts: root
Dried root decocted, typically 3-10 g per day. The raw herb is used to resolve Shao-Yang disorders and reduce fever and to disperse wind-heat; higher relative doses favor the exterior-releasing/fever-reducing action.
Vinegar-processed (cu Chai Hu)
Parts: root
Root slices stir-fried with rice vinegar. Vinegar processing directs the herb more strongly to the Liver channel and enhances its Liver-coursing, Qi-regulating action for Liver-Qi stagnation.
Stir-fried with turtle blood (bie xue chao Chai Hu)
Parts: root
Root processed with soft-shelled turtle blood to moderate its ascending/dispersing nature and add a Yin-nourishing quality; used for steaming-bone tidal fever and deficiency-heat patterns.
Dui Yao — Herb Pairs
The classical two-herb combinations this herb appears in, each with an action neither herb has alone.
Liver qi is dredged while liver blood is nourished and the liver softened, so dispersal does not injure yin.
Core of Si Ni San and Xiao Yao San.
Named pairing — Lü Jingshan, Shi Jinmo Dui Yao
Together one vents pathogens from the shaoyang exterior while the other clears heat from within, harmonizing shaoyang and resolving alternating chills and fever.
Core pair of a classical formula — Xiao Chai Hu Tang, Shang Han Lun (Zhang Zhongjing)
The pair raises the clear yang and lifts sunken middle qi, assisting qi tonics to treat prolapse.
Sinking of middle qi: prolapse, chronic diarrhea, fatigue.
Named pairing — Zhongyaoxue national textbook; used together in Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (Li Dongyuan)
Together they strongly spread liver qi and relieve hypochondriac pain and distention.
Liver qi stagnation with hypochondriac pain and irritability.
Core pair of a classical formula — Chai Hu Shu Gan San, Zheng Zhi Zhun Sheng (citing Yi Xue Tong Zhi)
One raises and the other descends, so together they release constrained qi and restore the ascending and descending of the liver and spleen.
Core pair of a classical formula — Si Ni San, Shang Han Lun (Zhang Zhongjing)
Clinical Studies
Genus Bupleurum: a review of its phytochemistry, pharmacology and modes of action
Reviews the phytochemistry (over 120 saikosaponins plus lignans, flavonoids, polyacetylenes, essential oils, polysaccharides) and pharmacology of the genus Bupleurum, detailing anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antipyretic, antiviral, immunomodulatory and antitumor actions and their mechanisms.
A systematic review of the active saikosaponins and extracts isolated from Radix Bupleuri and their applications
Systematic analysis of saikosaponin A and D and Radix Bupleuri extracts, documenting anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antiviral, anti-allergic, immunoregulatory and neuroregulatory activities via NF-κB and MAPK pathways, together with 15 approved clinical preparations and hepatotoxicity as the principal safety concern.
Historical Texts
Shennong Bencao Jing (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica)
Eastern Han dynasty, c. 200 CEShang Han Lun (Treatise on Cold Damage), Zhang Zhongjing
Eastern Han dynasty, c. 200 CEBencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica), Li Shizhen
Ming dynasty, 1596References
- Ashour ML, Wink M. Genus Bupleurum: a review of its phytochemistry, pharmacology and modes of action . Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology 63(3):305-321 (2011) [DOI]
- Yuan B, Yang R, Ma Y, Zhou S, Zhang X, Liu Y. A systematic review of the active saikosaponins and extracts isolated from Radix Bupleuri and their applications . Pharmaceutical Biology 55(1):620-635 (2017) [DOI]
- Chinese Pharmacopoeia Commission. Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China, Vol. I . China Medical Science Press (2020) [DOI]
- Bensky D, Clavey S, Stoger E. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed. . Eastland Press, Seattle (2004) [DOI]
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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