Bupleurum
Bupleurum, commonly known as Chai Hu in traditional Chinese medicine, is a versatile perennial herb valued for its therapeutic properties. Renowned for its ability to soothe the liver and regulate qi, it is frequently utilized to relieve stress, reduce inflammation, and support overall immune function and metabolic balance.
- Scientific name: Bupleurum
- Family: Apiaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Apiales and the family Apiaceae. Finally, the medicinal species is categorized under the genus Bupleurum.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Apiales | WCVP |
| Family | Apiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Bupleurum | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Bupleurum, is referred to by various common names depending on the language and region. In Chinese, it is identified as 柴胡属 (zh-hans), 柴胡屬 (zh-hant), and 柴胡屬 (zh-hk), while in Korean, it is called 시호속 (ko). In Poland, the plant is commonly known as Przewiercień (pl).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 柴胡属 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 柴胡屬 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 柴胡屬 | Wikidata |
| pl | Przewiercień | Wikidata |
| ko | 시호속 | Wikidata |
| ru | Володушка | Wikidata |
| fr | Buplèvre | Wikidata |
| fi | jänönputket | Wikidata |
| de | Hasenohren | Wikidata |
| ja | ミシマサイコ属 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across the northern regions of Europe. It can be found growing in the coastal and inland areas of Denmark. Its presence extends further north into the landscapes of Norway and Finland. Additionally, this medicinal species is established within the British Isles, including Great Britain and Ireland. Together, these locations define its primary geographical range in the northern hemisphere.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Finland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as Chai Hu, is a versatile medicinal herb valued in traditional practices for its therapeutic properties. While the entire herb can sometimes be utilized, the primary medicinal component is the bupleurum root, which is harvested and processed for its bioactive compounds. Specifically, the dried roots are used to create decoctions and extracts aimed at regulating liver function and relieving stagnation.- Total parts
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 4
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| roots | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| herb | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bupleurum root | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Bupleurum has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 14 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include saikosaponins, lignans, 3''-O-acetylsaikosaponin d, 6''-O-acetylsaikosaponin a, 6''-O-acetylsaikosaponin d.
- Total chemicals
- 11
- Scientific sources
- 14
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| saikosaponins | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| lignans | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 3''-O-acetylsaikosaponin d | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 6''-O-acetylsaikosaponin a | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 6''-O-acetylsaikosaponin d | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| saikosaponin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| saikosaponin a | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| saikosaponin c | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| saikosaponin d | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Bupleurum has 4 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Hepatoprotective, Antidiabetic, Antimicrobial, Antiviral.
- Total activities
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Hepatoprotective | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiviral | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Bupleurum has 12 reported medicinal uses identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, diabetes complications, fever, gastric ulcer, infectious diseases.
- Total uses
- 12
- Scientific sources
- 12
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diabetes complications | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fever | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastric ulcer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| infectious diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| irregular menstruation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| liver disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pain | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rectal prolapse | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |