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    Yemama Apothecary

    Bencao Gangmu Reference Library

    Shaoyang Harmony, Liver-Qi Dredging & Spleen-Yang Raising Monarch (和解表里 / 疏肝解郁升举阳气退热截疟清胆利湿治伤寒邪在少阳往来寒热胸胁苦满肝郁气滞月经不调胃下垂子宫脱垂 — 历代和解少阳第一柴胡 / 伤寒论小柴胡汤核心君药 / 疏肝解郁与保肝药皇)

    柴胡 / 北柴胡 / 软柴胡 / 硬柴胡 / 地熏 / 山菜 — Bupleurum chinense DC. (syn. Bupleurum falcatum, Bupleurum scorzonerifolium)

    Pinyin: Cháihú / Běicháihú / Ruǎncháihú · Malay: Chai Hu / Radix Bupleuri / Chinese Thorowax Root / Hare's Ear Root · Family: Apiaceae (伞形科 / 柴胡属)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Cool to Slightly Cold (微寒 / 苦辛微寒)

    Flavor

    Bitter, pungent, slightly sweet, aromatic (苦、辛、微寒、芳烈升散)

    Meridians

    Liver (肝), Gallbladder (胆), Lung (肺), Pericardium (心包)

    Traditional Edict

    Chinese Thorowax Root (Chai Hu / Bei Chai Hu / Radix Bupleuri). Taproot with parallel-veined leaves and yellow umbels. Supreme Emperor for Harmonizing Shaoyang Pivot (Xiao Chai Hu Tang): clears alternating chills and fevers, unblocks ribside fullness, dredges liver depression, raises sunken Yang.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • RAW VS. VINEGAR PAOZHI: Raw Chai Hu raises Yang and releases exterior; Vinegar Chai Hu (Cu Chai Hu) directs into Liver to relieve pain. CONTRAINDICATED in hyperactive Liver-Yang headache and severe Liver-Yin deficiency.

    Clinical Applications

    • Shaoyang syndrome alternating chills and fever, chronic active hepatitis and liver fibrosis (anti-inflammatory hepatic stellate cell suppression via Saikosaponins a & d >= 0.30%), generalized depression, and visceral organ prolapse.

    Quality Markers

    Saikosaponins a & d (柴胡皂苷 a & d) >= 0.30% (HPLC Chinese Pharmacopoeia standard) & Total Saikosaponins >= 1.50%

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. Saikosaponins a and d upregulate endogenous hypothalamic ACTH and corticosterone secretion, suppressing systemic inflammation. 2. Downregulates hepatic stellate cell alpha-SMA to reverse fibrosis.

    Preparation & Dosage

    CLASSICAL XIAO CHAI HU TANG (Master Shaoyang Formula): 12 to 24 g Chai Hu with Huang Qin (9 g), Ban Xia (9 g), Dang Shen, and Sheng Jiang decocted in 800 mL water. Liver-dredging: 6 to 10 g Vinegar-Processed (Cu Chai Hu) with Bai Shao. Visceral prolapse: 3 to 6 g (Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang).

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. Classical Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Master Shaoyang Harmonizing Formula) with Scutellaria and Pinellia. 2. Classical Chai Hu Shu Gan San (Master Liver-Dredging Formula) with Xiang Fu and Chuan Xiong.

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    Yemama Apothecary · Petaling Jaya, Malaysia · For educational and clinical reference only