What are the medicinal properties of Bupleurum?

When I was a child, I often caught colds. My mother would go to the pharmacy to buy Xiao Chaihu granules for me to drink. After drinking it for a day or two, the symptoms of the cold disappeared. At that time, I always wondered why I had to drink Xiao Chaihu granules to get rid of a cold. When I grew up, I learned that Chaihu contains volatile oils, fats and other ingredients. Its decoction has an antipyretic effect, and can inhibit the growth and development of malarial parasites. It also has an inhibitory effect on Mycobacterium tuberculosis and influenza viruses. It is a good medicine for treating colds.

The Chinese medicinal herb Bupleurum is the root of the perennial herb Bupleurum and Bupleurum angustifolia of the Apiaceae family. It tastes sweet and spicy, is slightly cold in nature, and has the function of penetrating the surface and relieving heat. In Zhang Zhongjing's "Treatise on Febrile Diseases", Xiao Chaihu Decoction is composed of Bupleurum as the main medicine, Scutellaria baicalensis, ginseng, Pinellia ternata, ginger, jujube, and roasted licorice. It is mainly used to treat "Shaoyang disease" with alternating chills and heat, bitter fullness in the chest and flanks, restlessness, vomiting, bitter mouth and dry throat.

Bupleurum has the effect of soothing the liver and relieving depression. In the famous prescription Xiaoyaosan, Bupleurum is also the main medicine, combined with Angelica, White Peony, Atractylodes, Poria, Licorice, Mint, ginger, etc. It is used to treat liver depression and qi stagnation, dizziness caused by heat over a long period of time, afternoon fever, as well as irregular menstruation, loss of appetite and fatigue, breast swelling, and nodule hyperplasia in women. Bupleurum is also commonly used to raise Yang Qi. For example, in Buzhong Yiqi Decoction, Bupleurum is used together with Cimicifuga, Codonopsis, Astragalus, etc., to treat shortness of breath, fatigue, and organ prolapse caused by Qi deficiency and sinking.

In particular, the saponins contained in Bupleurum have sedative and analgesic effects, and have the functions of resisting liver damage, preventing fatty degeneration and fibrosis, lowering transaminase and promoting bile secretion. It is now widely used in diseases such as acute hepatitis, biliary inflammation and intercostal neuralgia, and has certain therapeutic effects.

Interferon is one of the most effective drugs for treating hepatitis B, but it is expensive and has a long treatment course. Many patients have to drop out of treatment due to the heavy burden. Xiao Chaihu Granules, which is derived from Xiao Chaihu Decoction, can be used instead of interferon in clinical practice. Take 10-20 grams each time, 3 times a day, and take it for 3 months as a course of treatment. Usually after 2-3 courses of treatment, the symptoms can be alleviated and it is effective in preventing the disease from developing into cirrhosis.

It is worth mentioning that in recent years, the application of Xiao Chaihu Decoction in the prevention and treatment of cancer has shown very encouraging signs. Studies have shown that Xiao Chaihu has a certain effect on resisting cancer and preventing its malignant transformation. When taking Xiao Chaihu Granules, do not drink alcohol or eat overly spicy food. At the same time, maintaining good sleep and a good attitude will help improve symptoms.