Bupleurum (Bupleurum falcatum) Herbal Medicine
Bupleurum Health Benefits, Dosage, Side effects and Warnings.
Scientific Name(s): Bupleurum falcatum L., (synonym Bupleurum chinense DC. and Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Wild.). Family: Apiaceae (carrots). Synonym: Umbelliferae.
Other names:
Bupleurum, Bei Chai Hu, Bupleuri, 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
Bupleurum (Bupleurum Falcatum/Chinense) is an herb native to East Asia. The bupleurum is a perennial herb that grows to about 1 meter in height and usually found in the wild in patches along the sunny sides of sedge thickets. The Bupleurum is characterized by simple stem hugging leaves that grow alternately from the stem. Bupleurum leaves are broad, lanceolate in shape with gradually tapering base. Bupleurum bears small green to yellow flowers in axillary position and develop in umbrellate inflorencenses on the plant body. The flowers turn into Bupleurum fruit that is oblong or ellipsoid in shape slightly laterally compressed and has 5 ribs. The seeds are plane.
Bupleurum has long been used in Chinese medicine which is among the ‘harmony herb”. The ‘harmony herbs” are a class of plants used to maintain internal energy in the body and to maintain the balance of all internal organs.