Witnessed by: TCM
Bupleurum (Bupleurum chinense), of the Apiaceae family. Slender branching perennial of dry hill grassland; native range: northern and north-eastern China. Globally recognized as chai hu (柴胡) in Chinese. The part used is root. Tough tan taproot, faintly aromatic, with a rising, dispersing quality.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
BUPLEURUM
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- bupleurum
- Scientific name
- Bupleurum chinense DC.
- Family
- Apiaceae
Form
- Part used
- root
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- TCM
- bitter, acrid
Temperature
- TCM
- cool
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- TCM
- Liver · Gallbladder · Pericardium · Triple Burner
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- TCM
- harmonizes the shaoyang, spreads Liver qi, raises the yang qi
Cautions
- Contraindications
- caution in yin-deficient heat or rising Liver yang
- Toxicity
- may cause nausea at high dose in the sensitive
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