Chai Hu

ZOl85 Amagaya, S., M. Hayakawa, Y. Ogi-hara, et al. Treatment of chronic liver injury in mice by oral administration of Xiao-Chai-Hu Tang. J Ethno-Pharmacol 1989 25(2) 181-187. 

Z0197 Kawakita, T., S. Nakai, Y. Kumazawa, O. Miur, E. Yumioka, and K. Nomoto. Induction of interferon after administration of a traditional Chinese medicine. Xiao-Chai-Hu-Tang (Shosaiko-To). Int J Immunopharmacol 1990 12(5) 515-521. 

Ito, H., and K. Shimura. Effects of a blended Chinese medicine, xiao-chai-hu-tang, on Lewis lung carcinoma growth and inhibition of lung metastasis, with special reference to macrophage activation. Jap J Pharmacol... 

Similar to the challenges outlined in Chapter 2, the fact that most Chinese herbal medicines are complex mixtures of multiple active constituents further complicates the interpretation of study data, as well as extrapolation to other botanical products. Japanese Kampo (traditional Chinese herbal mixtures) prescriptions have been used for many years to treat different chronic conditions and are presently manufactured in Japan as drugs with standardized quantities and qualities of constituents. Homma et al. (51) evaluated the effect of three commonly used Japanese Kampo prescriptions, Sho-saiko-to (Xiao Chai Hu Tang), Saiboku-to, and Sairei-to, on prednisolone pharmacokinetics in humans. All three botanical prescriptions contain glycyrrhizin, a strong inhibitor of 11-p-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Chen et al. (52) had shown that glycyrrhizin decreased plasma clearance and increased AUC and concentration of prednisolone. 

Bo He (Menthae herba), Chai Hu (Bupleuri radix), Xin Yi (Magnoliae flos), Bai Zhi [Angelicae dahuri-cae radix), Mu Xiang [Aucklandiae radix) and Sha Ren [Amomi xanthioidis fructus). 

Ling Yang Jiao [Antelopis cornu] can be replaced by Shan Yang Jiao (Naemorhedis cornu]. It can also be replaced by Shi Jue Ming [Haliotidis concha] and Qing Dai [Indigo naturalis] with a small amount of Chai Hu [Bupleuri radix] and Mu Dan Pi (Moutan cortex]. 

Chai Hu is pungent and neutral, and enters the Liver and Gall Bladder meridians. It is particularly effective in spreading Qi in the Shao Yang meridians, and in treating headache (especially on the lateral sides of the head) and a sensation of fullness in the hypochondriac region. When there is stagnation of Liver-Qi due to stress, which weakens the Defensive-Qi and leads to an exterior syndrome, Chai Hu can be selected. 

Stress use Chai Hu [Bupleuri radix), Huang Qin [Scutellariae radix) and Ban Xia [Pinelliae rhizoma) to regulate the Qi in the San Jiao meridians, and use Xiang Fu [Cyperi rhizoma) to regulate the Liver-Qi. 

Chai Hu, Jing Jie and Fang Feng can expel wind and help the chief herbs to release the exterior. 

Chai Hu (Bupleuri radix) and Huang Qin (Scutellariae radix)... 

Chai Hu is pungent and neutral and Huang Qin is bitter and cold. They are particularly effective in dispersing and reducing the constrained Qi and heat in the Upper-Jiao and the Gall Bladder meridian. They can treat symptoms such as fever, a bitter taste in the mouth, hypochondriac distension, poor appetite and irritability. 

Qing Hao (Artemisiae annuae herba), Yin Chai Hu (Stellariae radix) and Bai Wei fCynanchi atrati radix)... 

Yin Chai Hu is bitter and cool, and enters the Liver and Stomach meridians. Its functions are similar to those of Qing Hao but it is stronger in descending deficient heat and cooling the blood. It is more suitable for patients who complain of dryness of the throat and mouth, thirst and afternoon fever. 

Yin Chai Hu, as chief, is bitter and cool, and can effectively reduce the deficient fire from the Yin region without the tendency of excessive drainage. 

Xiang Fu and Chai Hu are the most important herbs for promoting Liver-Qi movement. When heat disturbs the Liver-Qi, they can be used in the formula. The difference between them is that Xiang Fu circulates the Qi and Chai Hu disperses and ascends the Qi. 

Chai Hu is used as corrective assistant as well as envoy. It can disperse and spread the constraint of Liver-Qi, which is suppressed by the powerful draining herbs. On the other hand, it slightly disperses the heat, thus preventing the development of constrained heat which is often formed in the process of clearing heat. As envoy it harmonizes the herbs entering the liver and Gall Bladder meridians. 

Chai Hu and Zhi Zi are used as chief herbs to spread the Liver-Qi and reduce the accumulation of heat in the San Jiao and Gall Bladder meridians, thereby relieving headache, irritability and tinnitus. 

Weakness of the limbs use Huang Qi [Astragali radix), Chai Hu [Bupleuri radix) and Sheng Ma [Cimicifugae rhizoma) together to tonify and ascend the Spleen-Qi so as to strengthen the muscles. 

It shows the method of raising Qi by using Huang Qi, Sheng Ma and Chai Hu together. 

Chai Hu (Bupleuri radix), Xiang Fu fCyperi rhizoma), Bai Shao Yao (Paeoniae radix lactiflora) and Zhi Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae radix preparata)... 

Chai Hu can disperse and spread the suppressed Liver-Qi. Xiang Fu can regulate the Liver-Qi and smooth the movement. The sour Bai Shao Yao and sweet Zhi Gan Cao can soften the Liver, ease the tendons and reduce the tension. They are often used in herbal formulas. 

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