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.

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 might stimulate the cells of the immune system to work harder. It might also have other effects, but none of these are proven in humans.

• Fevers.
• Flu.
• The common cold.
• Cough.
• Fatigue.
• Headache.
• Ringing in the ears.
• Liver disorders.
• Blood disorders.
• Stimulating the immune system.