The efficacy, effects and contraindications of Bupleurum chinense

Bupleurum is the dried root of the Umbelliferae plant Bupleurum or Bupleurum angustifolia. What are the functions of Northern Bupleurum? According to their different characteristics, they are divided into Northern Bupleurum and Southern Bupleurum. Bupleurum tastes pungent and bitter, is cold in nature, and mainly enters the gallbladder, liver, and lung meridians. It has the functions of fire evacuation, fever reduction and raising qi and blood. Let’s understand the effects and functions of Northern Bupleurum together.

1. The efficacy and function of Bupleurum chinense

1. The role of Bupleurum chinense: fire evacuation and fever relief

Chaihu is pungent and dispersing, bitter and purgative, and can produce cold and reduce fever. It is good at expelling evil, replenishing deficiency and reducing fever, as well as extinguishing fire and evacuating evil that is semi-exterior and semi-interior in the Shaoyang meridian. It can be used for people with cold and fever, regardless of wind-heat or wind-cold symptoms.

Chaihu is the main medicine for treating Shaoyang syndrome. It is often used together with Chaihu to clear the heat in the semi-exterior and semi-interior, and to achieve the effect of harmonizing Shaoyangzi. If the main manifestations of Shaoyang syndrome include alternating cold and heat, bitter mouth, dry throat, or dizziness, it is more appropriate to use Chaihu.

2. The function of Bupleurum chinense: soothing the liver and regulating qi

Chaihu is pungent in nature and bitter in nature, and has a dispersing nature, regulating liver fire and soothing the liver and regulating qi. It can be used to treat chest and rib or lower abdominal distension and pain caused by liver failure to descend and qi stagnation, depression, menstrual disorders and dysmenorrhea in women; it can also be used with Chuanxiong and red peony root to treat menstrual disorders in women caused by liver depression and blood deficiency, and spleen failure to function properly. Symptoms include breast pain, dull pain in the ribs, fatigue and loss of appetite.

3. Raise Qi and blood

Bupleurum can raise the clear yang qi of the stomach and intestines, and can be used to treat abdominal heaviness and bloating, food stagnation and fatigue, chronic diarrhea and prolapse of the anus, uterine prolapse, renal relaxation and other symptoms of prolapse of internal organs caused by sinking of the middle qi and qi deficiency.

4. Stop dengue fever

Bupleurum can reduce fever and stop malaria, so Bupleurum is a common medicine for treating dengue fever with alternating chills and fever, and is often used together with Changshan, Bupleurum and Amomum.

2. Taboos in the use of Bupleurum

Bupleurum is an ascending and dispersing herb in nature. Ancient people said that "Bupleurum robs the liver of yin". Therefore, it should not be used or should be used with caution by those with yin deficiency and yang hyperactivity, internal liver wind, yin deficiency and hyperactivity of fire, and upward flow of qi.