Pinyin: Chai Hu
Chinese: 柴胡
Pharmaceutical: Radix Bupleuri
Taxonomy: Bupleurum chinense (Nan Chai Hu) seu scorzoneraefolium (Bei Chai Hu)
English: Hare's Ear Root / Thorowax Root |
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Tastes: Bitter, pungent, slightly cold
Meridians Entered: Liver and Spleen |
Actions & Indications:
- Resolves Shaoyang disorders and reduces fever (harmonizes the Exterior and Interior)
Shaoyang Stage with alternating chills and fever, a bitter taste,dizziness, tinnitus, flank pain, irritability, vomiting and a stifling sensation in the chest
Deficiency Heat (auxiliary)
Gallbladder Fire
The Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing says "It weeds out the stale to bring forth the new."
- Spreads Liver Qi and relieves Stagnation
Liver Qi Stagnation with dizziness, vertigo, chest and flank pain, emotional instability and menstrual problems
Disharmony between the Liver and Spleen with epigastric and flank pain, a stifling sensation in the chest, abdominal bloating, nausea and indigestion
Liver/Gallbladder Disharmony
The Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing says "It mainly treats bound qi in the heart, abdomen, intestines, and stomach, food stagnation, cold and heat, and evil qi."
- Raises Yang Qi (specifically the Clear Qi of the Stomach and Gallbladder)
Spleen and Stomach Yang Deficiency, Qi collapse (prolapse) with hemorrhoids, vaginal discharge, bleeding or exhaustion
- Disperses Wind-Heat and resolves Phlegm and congestion
Wind-Heat
- Guides herbs to the Shaoyang aspects of the head
Shaoyang headaches
- Releases the Exterior and Drives Out Snakes
Relieves the symptoms of Gu Sydnrome while suppressing parasites (Fruehauf, 1998)
Chronic inflammatory disease (Fruehauf, 2015)
- Aids fasting
Mentioned in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as part of the superior class of herbs which can, with protracted taking, make the body light, brighten the eyes and boost the Essence. This may suggest it was part of supplementing the diet when engaging in an "avoiding grain" (Bigu 辟穀) fasting regime to cultivate life (Yangsheng 養生).
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Standard Dosage: Up to 3g to raise sinking Qi, 6-9g to relieve Liver Qi stagnation, 12-24g to release the exterior.
Cautions: Anyone who has syndromes of yin deficiency with yang hyperactivity, stirring of liver wind, yin deficiency with effulgent fire and qi going upward adversely, this herb should be used with cautions. |
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Pinyin: Chuan Xiong
Chinese: 川芎
Pharmaceutical: Rhizoma Ligusticum
Taxonomy: Ligusticum chuanxiong syn. striatum syn. wallichii
English: Sichuan Lovage root / Cnidium root |
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Tastes: Pungent, warm
Meridians Entered: Liver and Pericardium |
Actions & Indications:
- Invigorates the Blood and promotes the movement of Qi
Blood Stasis, especially in gynecology with dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, difficult labor or retained lochia
Qi and Blood Stagnation with pain and soreness in the chest, flanks and hypochondria
- Expels Wind and alleviates pain
Externally contracted Wind with headache, dizziness or painful obstruction (Bi Syndrome) - especially useful for headaches due to Wind-Heat, Wind-Cold or Blood Deficiency (depending on the combination)
Wind skin disorders
- Relieves the symptoms of Gu Syndrome while suppressing parasites (Fruehauf, 1998)
Chronic inflammatory disease (Fruehauf, 2015)
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Standard Dosage: 3-10g in decoction.
Cautions: It is contraindicated for headache due to Liver Yang rising or Yin deficiency with effulgent Fire because of its warm and dry properties.
Use with caution during pregnancy or in those who bruise or bleed easily.
May have synergistic effects in those taking anticoagulant drugs. |
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