Bupleurum

Bupleurum root, also known in Chinese medicine as Chai Hu, is a member of the carrot family as well as a cousin to parsley and looks similar to dill weed.

Bupleurum At a Glance…

First mentioned in Chinese medical texts as early as A.D. 200, Bupleurum Root is considered a deep herbal liver cleanser that helps rid the body of toxins and may ease hepatitis, gallbladder, spleen and digestive ailments.  It also invigorates the circulatory system and promotes healthy heart and lung function, respiration and blood vessel strength, among many other medicinal uses as listed below.

This plant is used in combination with Turmeric to achieve specific health benefits; it is rarely used alone.

Benefits:

• Contains bupleurumol and triterpenoid saponins (most valuable is saikosides), flavonoids (the active one being rutin).
• Saikosides in the plant are known to possess liver-protective properties that guard its proper function while aiding in the elimination of toxins. Bupleurum root has been used for centuries to deeply cleanse the liver – it continually rids the system of toxic impurities. It also is credited with strengthening and nourishing the liver and gallbladder and very helpful for hepatitis. Those with a weakened immune system like victims of fibromyalgia, lupus, Scleroderma, arthritis, AIDS, Gulf War Syndrome, fatty liver, abuse of alcohol and/or drugs, etc., benefit from its use because Bupleurum restores the health of their livers. Furthermore, saikosides increase the action of steroids in the body – boosting natural anti-inflammatory defenses.
• Rutin strengthens the smallest blood vessels – capillaries. It is essential for the body to absorb vitamin C, which is a proven immune support supplement. Rutin’s most important use is in the fight against allergies of all types. It is said to slow down the process of histamine release in the body, which results in the decreasing of multiple allergic responses.

In general, the ingredients in Bupleurum make this plant an exceptional supplement:
• Anti-inflammatory
• Anti-bacterial
• Anti-viral
• Many centuries ago people treated Bupleurum as one of the “harmony” herbs – capable of balancing functions in all the parts of the body. It was reported to support the liver and spleen, eliminating the “disharmony” between them. Such symptoms as nausea, indigestion, and abdominal cramps were believed to be the signs of such imbalance. Nowadays these problems are still treated with this herb.
• Bupleurum is also considered to be an excellent means to improve overall blood circulation. Fever can be reduced with the help of this herb as well.
• Modern research reports a possibility of using Bupleurum for the treatment of bone cancer, hemorrhoids, hepatitis, irritable bowel syndrome and menstrual irregularity.
• The herb is reported to have a beneficial effect on the central nervous system and helpful for moderating emotional instability that may be brought on by an over-burdened toxic liver. It works by managing neurological disorders with a gentle restorative effect on the body.
• It is credited as a heart tonic as well as benefiting the lungs while stimulating overall circulation and strengthening blood vessels. It is helpful to prevent bleeding from tiny capillaries with the eyes that can lead to macular degeneration.
• Further supporting its capillary-strengthening reputation, Bupleurum Root is thought to act as a serotonin blocker.  Serotonin is a hormone-like chemical that makes the walls of capillaries more permeable, leading to soft tissue swelling, including swelling of nasal membranes that can cause a stuffy nose.  This activity may be particularly helpful in alleviating the effects of allergies.
• Reputed to be an antiviral and antibacterial, Bupleurum Root is believed to deactivate measles virus, herpes simplex virus, amoebic infection and microbes.

Health Benefits Reported

• Many centuries ago people treated Bupleurum as one of the “harmony” herbs – capable of balancing functions in all the parts of the body. It was reported to support the liver and spleen, eliminating the “disharmony” between them. Such symptoms as nausea, indigestion, and abdominal cramps were believed to be the signs of such imbalance. Nowadays these problems are still treated with this herb.
• Bupleurum is also considered to be an excellent means to improve overall blood circulation. Fever can be reduced with the help of this herb as well.
• Modern research reports a possibility of using Bupleurum for the treatment of bone cancer, hemorrhoids, hepatitis, irritable bowel syndrome and menstrual irregularity.
• The herb is reported to have a beneficial effect on the central nervous system and helpful for moderating emotional instability that may be brought on by an over-burdened toxic liver. It works by managing neurological disorders with a gentle restorative effect on the body.
• It is credited as a heart tonic as well as benefiting the lungs while stimulating overall circulation and strengthening blood vessels. It is helpful to prevent bleeding from tiny capillaries in the eyes that can lead to macular degeneration.
• Further supporting its capillary-strengthening reputation, Bupleurum Root is thought to act as a serotonin blocker.  Serotonin is a hormone-like chemical that makes the walls of capillaries more permeable, leading to soft tissue swelling, including swelling of nasal membranes that can cause a stuffy nose.  This activity may be particularly helpful in alleviating the effects of allergies.
• Reputed to be an antiviral and antibacterial, Bupleurum Root is believed to deactivate measles virus, herpes simplex virus, amoebic infection and microbes.