This product is the root or whole herb of the perennial herbaceous plant Bupleurum (Northern Bupleurum) (Bupleurum chinense DC.) and narrow-leaved Bupleurum (red thorowax root) (Bupleurum scorznerifolium Willd) of the Apiaceae family. The former is mainly produced in Liaoning, Gansu, Hebei, Henan, and other regions; the latter is mainly produced in Hubei, Jiangsu, Sichuan, and other regions. It is harvested in spring and autumn, dried in the sun, cut into segments, and used raw or vinegar-fried.

There are also many other species of the same genus that can be used medicinally. For example, Yinchow Bupleurum (B. yinchowense Shan et Y. Li); Xing'an Bupleurum (B. Sibiricum Vest); Bamboo Leaf Bupleurum (B. marginatum Wall. ex DC), and others.

bubble_chart Properties and Meridians

Bitter and acrid, slightly cold. act on liver and gallbladder channels.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Disperse and reduce fever, soothe the liver and relieve depression, raise yang and elevate the drooping.

bubble_chart Indications

1. Used for alternating chills and fever, common cold fever. This herb has a bitter and pungent taste, a slightly cold nature, and an aromatic dispersing effect. It is particularly effective in dispersing the pathogenic factors in the half-exterior and half-interior of the Shaoyang meridian, making it a key herb for treating Shaoyang pattern characterized by alternating chills and fever, fullness and discomfort in the chest and hypochondrium, bitter taste in the mouth, and dry throat. It is often combined with Skullcap Root and other herbs, such as in Minor Bupleurum Decoction. For treating common cold fever, this herb also has a good dispersing and antipyretic effect, often used with Liquorice Root. If pathogenic heat is severe, it can be combined with Pueraria Root, Skullcap Root, Gypsum, and other herbs, such as in Bupleurum and Pueraria Flesh-Releasing Decoction. Currently, there are single-herb or compound formula injections made from Bupleurum, which have a good antipyretic effect for external-contraction fever.
2. Used for liver depression qi stagnation, menstrual irregularities, and chest and hypochondriac pain. This herb can regulate liver qi, soothe the liver, and relieve depression, regulate menstruation, and alleviate pain. It is often combined with Chinese Angelica, Peony Root, and other herbs, such as in Peripatetic Powder. For chest and hypochondriac pain, whether due to internal damage liver depression or external trauma, it can be applied, often combined with Cyperus, Sichuan Lovage Rhizome, Peony Root, and other herbs, such as in Bupleurum Liver-Soothing Powder.
3. Used for qi deficiency and sinking, chronic diarrhea, prolapse of the rectum. This herb is effective in raising the clear yang qi of the spleen and stomach, and is good for treating qi deficiency and sinking, fatigue, fever, poor appetite, loose stool, chronic diarrhea, prolapse of the rectum, and prolapse of the stomach and uterus. It is often combined with Ginseng, Astragalus Root, Cimicifuga Rhizome, and other herbs, such as in Middle-Tonifying Qi-Replenishing Decoction.
4. In addition, this herb can also reduce fever and prevent malaria attacks, and is commonly used for treating malaria with alternating chills and fever, often combined with Skullcap Root, Dichroa, Caoguo, and other herbs.

bubble_chart Documentation

1. Benjing: "It governs the binding qi of the heart, abdomen, and intestines, resolves food accumulation, disperses cold pathogenic heat, and promotes the elimination of the old to bring in the new."
2. Bencaozheng Yi: "In summary, the main effects of Bupleurum can be divided into two aspects: one is for pathogenic excess, where it draws out external pathogens located between the exterior and interior, leading them to the surface so that they can be expelled; the other is for deficiency, where it lifts and raises the clear qi that has sunk into the yin aspect, returning it to its proper place, thus revitalizing the stomach's middle qi."

bubble_chart Usage and Dosage

Decoct and take 3-10g. Use raw for harmonizing and reducing fever; vinegar-fried for dispersing liver depression; and turtle blood-fried for steaming bone fever and consumptive heat.

bubble_chart Cautions and Contraindications

Bupleurum has a dispersing and ascending nature. Ancient scholars noted that "Bupleurum depletes liver yin." It should be avoided or used with caution in cases of ascendant hyperactivity of liver yang, internal stirring of liver wind, yin deficiency with effulgent fire, and upward counterflow of qi movement.

bubble_chart Modern Pharmacology

Bupleurum root contains α-spinasterol, adonitol, and Bupleurum saponins, as well as volatile oils. The root of narrow-leaved Bupleurum contains saponins, volatile oils, Bupleurum alcohol, adonitol, and α-spinasterol.

1. It has significant antipyretic, sedative, analgesic, and antitussive effects, with saponins being the main active components. Volatile oils also have antipyretic effects.
2. Volatile oils also have antiviral effects against common cold viruses and enhance immune function.
3. The anti-inflammatory strength of Bupleurum saponins is similar to that of prednisolone, and their anti-granuloma proliferation effect is stronger than their anti-exudation effect. The anti-inflammatory effect is complex, as it not only stimulates the adrenal cortex but also affects many aspects of the inflammatory process, including exudation, increased capillary permeability, release of inflammatory mediators, leukocyte migration, and connective tissue proliferation.
4. It has significant hepatoprotective and choleretic effects. Bupleurum has a notable protective effect against experimental liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride in animals. The combination with Liquorice Root (Gan Chai mixture) yields even better results. The choleretic effect may be attributed to flavonoids. Bupleurum also has some anti-ulcer effects, and its crude saponins have preventive and therapeutic effects on experimental gastric ulcers in animals.
5. It has lipid-lowering effects, with a more pronounced effect on triglycerides than on cholesterol. The main components affecting lipid metabolism are sapogenins a and d.
6. Bupleurum may enhance both humoral and cellular immunity and can increase protein biosynthesis in rats.
7. The decoction has some inhibitory effects on hemolytic streptococcus, Vibrio cholerae, Bacillus subtilis, and Leptospira. It also has strong inhibitory effects on influenza virus, as well as antiviral effects against hepatitis virus and the ability to inhibit cell lesions caused by type I poliovirus. Bupleurum may also have anti-malarial effects.
8. Bupleurum saponins have strong hemolytic and local irritant side effects, and there have been reports of allergic reactions caused by Bupleurum injections.

bubble_chart Modern Application

1. Used for the common cold. The Zheng Bupleurum Decoction (Bupleurum, Saposhnikovia Root, Dried Tangerine Peel, Peony Root, Liquorice Root, Fresh Ginger Rhizome) was administered three times a day, 12 grams each time, treating 666 cases with an effective rate of 79%, which was superior to the Isatis Root group (238 cases, effective rate 54.6%) [Zheng Bupleurum Decoction Clinical Verification Collaboration Group. Clinical observation of Zheng Bupleurum Decoction in treating the common cold. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 1985;12:13].
2. Used for cough. Bupleurum Antitussive Tablets (made from effective components extracted from the residue of Bupleurum injection production) were used to treat 1005 cases of cough caused by common cold, acute and chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, lung cancer, etc., with a total effective rate of 85.8% [Tian Yanliang, et al. Clinical efficacy study of Bupleurum Antitussive Tablets. Guanghou Medicine 1987;4:41].
3. Used for infectious hepatitis. The Gan Chai Mixture (equal parts Liquorice Root and Bupleurum) was administered at 10 milliliters each time, three times a day (equivalent to 15 grams each of Liquorice Root and Bupleurum per day), with children receiving half the dose, treating 11 cases with satisfactory results, especially notable for reducing alanine aminotransferase levels [Shanxi Medical College Liver Disease Research Group, et al. Clinical observation of the enzyme-lowering effects of Gan Chai Mixture and Forsythia Syrup on acute infectious hepatitis. Journal of New Medicine 1974,2:18]. Experimental observations in rats showed that the Gan Chai Mixture has preventive and therapeutic effects on experimental liver cirrhosis, preventing fat accumulation in the liver, inhibiting fiber proliferation, and promoting fiber reabsorption [Shanxi Medical College Liver Disease Research Group. Observation on the preventive and therapeutic effects of Gan Chai Mixture on experimental liver cirrhosis. Journal of New Medicine 1974,2:28].
4. Used for hyperlipidemia. The Lipid-lowering Mixture, 20 milliliters (equivalent to 3 grams of Bupleurum, with Grosvenor Momordica Fruit added for flavor), was taken orally three times a day, with a treatment course of three weeks, treating 86 cases with good effects on reducing triglycerides [Li Zongji, et al. Observation on the lipid-lowering efficacy of Bupleurum. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 1988;2:62].
5. Used for herpes simplex keratitis. Bupleurum injection was used as eye drops (10% solution), once every hour; subconjunctival injection, 0.3~0.5 milliliters each time, every other day; intramuscular injection, 2 milliliters each time, once or twice a day, treating 18 cases with an average treatment duration of 16 days, all cured [Wu Dejiu. Clinical observation of Bupleurum injection in treating herpes simplex keratitis. Chinese Herbal Medicine Communication 1978,12:29].
6. Used for erythema multiforme. Bupleurum injection was administered intramuscularly, 2 milliliters each time (equivalent to 4 grams of raw herb), twice a day for 10 consecutive days, observing 13 cases, all cured [Liu Pengfei. Introduction to the treatment of 13 cases of erythema multiforme with Bupleurum. Skin Disease Prevention and Research Communication 1979;2:110).
7. Used for globus hystericus. Bupleurum injection, 2 milliliters, was injected into the Tiantu acupoint, daily or every other day, with a treatment course of 4 times, treating 25 cases, resulting in 15 cured, 6 improved, and 4 ineffective [Lu Xihua. Acupoint injection of Bupleurum for treating globus hystericus. Zhejiang Chinese Medicine Institute Journal 1987;6:52].