Radix Bupleuri
Source
Root of Bupleurum chinense DC. and the root or herb of B. scorzonerifolium
Wilid., family Umbelliferae.
Characteristics
A woody tap root system. Root stock enlarged, with remainders of stem
bases
and rootlets. Outer surface black-brown. Ligneous part tenacious, appearing
fibrous or sliced when broken. B. scorzonerifolium: Root sparsely branching.
Outer surface brown; section surface not showing fibrous; leaf linear-lanceolate.
Both are bitter and acrid in taste, slightly cold in nature, and attributive
to pericardium, liver, triple-jiao and gallbladder channels.
Indication
1. Expel the exogenous evil from the body surface, let off heat, and clear
away evil heat from shaoyang channel: For common cold with fever, alternating
episodes of chilliness and fever, malaria, usually used together with
Radix Scuteliariae.
2. Disperse the stagnated liver energy: For stagnation of liver energy
with hypochondriac pain, dizziness, mental depression and irregular menstruation,
usually used together with Radix Paeoniae Alba
3. Life up yang-energy: For visceroptosis, used together with Radix Astragali
seu Hedysari and Radix Codonopsis Pliosukie.
Pharmacological
Action
Saikosaponin is the active component.
1.
Increasing the hypnotic effect of barbital in mice.
2. Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antitussive and antipyretic.
3. Decreasing the damage of liver by CCl4 and increasing biliary secretion
in rats.
4. Hemolytic in vitro.
5. Lowering blood pressure in rabbits and inhibiting the heart of frog
and guinea-pigs in vitro.
Administraion Decoction: 3-9g. Injection: 3-5 ml IM 1-2 times daily for fever.