Bupleurum chinense var. chinense

Bupleurum chinense var. chinense, commonly known as Chai Hu, is a cornerstone of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Renowned for its ability to relieve stagnation and regulate Liver Qi, this perennial herb is frequently utilized to treat fever, emotional distress, and inflammatory conditions, offering significant therapeutic potential in modern herbal pharmacology.

  • Scientific name: Bupleurum chinense var. chinense
  • Family: Apiaceae
  • Native range: Asia-Temperate

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Apiales, it is classified under the family Apiaceae. It is specifically identified by the genus Bupleurum and the variety chinense.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Apiales WCVP
Family Apiaceae WCVP
Genus Bupleurum WCVP

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical presence across several distinct regions of China. It can be found growing throughout the areas of China South-Central and China Southeast. Furthermore, its range extends into the northern territories of Inner Mongolia and Manchuria. The species is also widely distributed within the China North-Central region. Collectively, these locations highlight the diverse environmental settings where the plant thrives.

Region Area Source
China China South-Central WCVP
China Inner Mongolia WCVP
China Manchuria WCVP
China China North-Central WCVP
China China Southeast WCVP
Eastern Asia Korea WCVP
Indo-China Vietnam WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Bupleurum chinense var. chinense, is valued in traditional medicine primarily for its underground structures. The most therapeutically significant portion is the root, specifically the thick, fleshy taproot that develops deep within the soil. In herbal preparations, the dried roots are harvested and processed to be used as a primary medicinal ingredient. While the aerial part of the plant, including its stems and leaves, is part of its biological structure, it is the roots that contain the concentrated active compounds required for its healing properties.
Total parts
14
Scientific sources
23
Plant Part Sources Confidence
roots 7 ★★★★☆
root 2 ★☆☆☆☆
dried roots 2 ★☆☆☆☆
aerial part 2 ★☆☆☆☆
taproot 1 ★☆☆☆☆
seed 1 ★☆☆☆☆
residual stems 1 ★☆☆☆☆
leaf surface 1 ★☆☆☆☆
effective fruit bunch 1 ★☆☆☆☆
branch stem 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Bupleurum chinense var. chinense has 8 reported activities identified across 13 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antipyretic, Antiviral, Hepatoprotective, Analgesic, Antiepileptic.

Total activities
8
Scientific sources
13

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antipyretic 4 ★★☆☆☆
Antiviral 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Hepatoprotective 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Analgesic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antiepileptic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antifibrotic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antitumor 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Neuroprotective 1 ★☆☆☆☆