Bupleurum
Other Names: Bei Chai Hu, Bupleuri, Bupleurum Chinese, Bupleurum chinense, Bupleurum exaltatum, Bupleurum falcatum, Bupleurum fruticosum, Bupleurum longifolium, Bupleurum multinerve, Bupleurum octoradiatum, Bupleurum rotundifolium, Bupleurum scorzonerifolium, Buplèvre, Buplèvre Chinois, Buplèvre à Feuilles Rondes, Buplèvre à Feuilles de Scorsonère, Buplèvre à Longues Feuilles, Buplèvre Ligneux, Chai Hu, Chi Hu, Chinese Bupleurum, Chinese Thoroughwax, Hare's Ear Root, Radix Bupleuri, Saiko, Shrubby Hare's-ear, Sickle-leaf Hare's-ear, Thoroughwax, Radix Bupleuri, Bupleurum chinense DC, Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Wild
Special Precautions of Bupleurum
- It is mildly toxic. Not for use in cases of yin deficiency cough or headache due to ascending liver fire.
- Overdose causes headaches, dizziness, vomiting, tremors, gastroenteritis, and pathogenic erections.
- There were report of cases of mortality of broncho-interstitial pneumonia suspected were being caused by the combined use of chai hu formulae and interferon.
- Large dosages and/or long term usage can be toxic to kidneys.
- There isn't enough information to know if bupleurum is safe. However, some side effects have been reported, including increased bowel movements, intestinal gas, and drowsiness. In combination with other herbs, such as in the Japanese herbal formula called Sho-saiko-to, it has caused serious lung and breathing problems.
- Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of bupleurum during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
- “Auto-immune diseases” such as multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or other conditions: Bupleurum might cause the immune system to become more active, and this could increase the symptoms of auto-immune diseases. If you have one of these conditions, it’s best to avoid using bupleurum.
- Medications that decrease the immune system (Immunosuppressants) interacts with Bupleurum.
Benefits and uses of Bupleurum are
Bupleurum is a detoxifying and anti-microbial herb used in Chinese herbalism. It can be used to relieve spasms, muscle tension, lumps, bleeding due to heat and menstrual irregularity. The essential oil in Bupleurum is responsible for its ability to relieve surface heat. Bupleurum might stimulate the cells of the immune system to work harder.
- Anxiety/Depression : Bupleurum may aid in the treatment of stress-induced anxiety and depression, according to an animal-based study published in the Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology in 2012. In tests on rats placed in a stressful situation, researchers determined that treating the animals with bupleurum significantly reduced depression- and anxiety-like behaviors. The study's authors suggest that bupleurum may fight stress-induced anxiety and depression by affecting certain stress hormones that influence mood.
- Cancer : Several preliminary studies show that bupleurum may possess anti-cancer properties. For example, two studies on human cells (one published in Biochemical Pharmacology in 2006, the other published in Life Sciences in 2003) indicate that bupleurum may help destroy lung cancer cells. The findings suggest that bupleurum may help induce apoptosis (a type of programmed cell death essential for stopping the proliferation of cancer cells). In addition, a 2008 study published in the journal Liver International found that treating hamsters with a combination of selenium, bupleurum, and skullcap helped suppress the growth of liver cancer.
- Fevers.
- Flu.
- The common cold.
- Cough.
- Fatigue.
- Headache.
- Ringing in the ears.
- Liver disorders.
- Blood disorders.
- Stimulating the immune system.
