Cool, Spicy Herbs that Release the Exterior
Chai Hu 柴胡
Radix Bupleuri Thorowax Root , Bupleurum
✓ CALE Exam ✓ National Exam
Materia Medica Data
- Temperature
- Cool
- Nature & Flavour
- Bitter, Spicy, Cool
- Channels Entered
- GB, LIV, PER, TB
- Latin (pharmaceutical)
- Radix Bupleuri
- Chinese
- 柴胡
- Tone Marks
- chái hú
- Translation
- Kindling of the Barbarians
Chinese Herb Actions
- Resolves Shao Yang Disorders and Lowers Fever For alternating chills and fever, bitter taste in the mouth, flank pain, vomiting, irritability, and chest constriction.
- Relieves Liver Qi Constraint For dizziness, vertigo, chest pain, menstrual disorders, and emotional instability. Also used to treat wood attacking earth symptoms.
- Raises the Yang Qi in cases of Middle Jiao Deficiency For hemorrhoids, anal and uterine prolapse, and diarrhea.
Chinese Herb Dosage
- 3-12 grams.
- Part used: root.
Chinese Herb Combinations:
- Bai Shao (Radix Albus Paeoniae Lactiflorae)
- Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri)
Chinese Herb Contraindications & Cautions
- Contraindicated in cases of Liver Heat and cough from Yin Deficiency
- Over dosage may cause nausea and vomiting.
- Other side effects may include increased bowel movement and drowsiness.
Sources & References
Compiled and edited by Thomas Dehli, Founder & Editor, Sacred Lotus
The information here is referenced from numerous sources — teachers, practitioners, class notes from Five Branches University, the books below, and the published research literature, with citations given as resolvable PubMed identifiers. Where sources disagree, I have flagged the discrepancies directly. If facts couldn't be verified, I have left them out. How we source our content.
Reference information for students and practitioners — not medical advice. Consult a qualified practitioner. Terms of use.
Chinese Herbs Books & References
https://amzn.to/3WfB3DK
https://amzn.to/3DR1VUh
https://amzn.to/42aMz73
https://amzn.to/3PuD4bt