Its source is from the dried root or the herb of the Perennial herbaceous plant, Bulpleurum chinense Dc. or B. scorzonerifolium Willd., family Umbelliferae. The former is mainly produced in the provinces of Liaoning, Gansu, Hebei, and Henan, etc.; the latter in Hubei, Jiangsu, and Sichuan, etc.. The medicinal material is collected in spring and autumn, dried in the sun and cut into pieces. The raw or the one fried with vinegar is used for medication. Medicinal Properties Bitter and pungent in flavor, slightly cold in nature and attributive to the liver and gallbladder meridians. Actions Regulate the functional relation of internal organs to relieve fever, disperse the stagnated liver-qi and uplift yang-qi to raise sinking. Application 1. It is used for fever due to exogenous pathogenic factors with alternating episodes of chills and fever. It is effective in eliminating the pathogenic factors located in the half-superficial and half-interior, hence it is an indispensable medicine for treating shaoyang disease, which is manifested as feeling of fullness and oppression in the chest and hypochondrium, bitter taste in the mouth and dry throat. It is usually combined with Huangqin (Radix Scutellariae), Banxia (Rhizoma Pinelliae), etc., such as Xiao Chaihu Tang (Decoction). For fever due to exogenous pathogenic factors, it can be combined with Gegen (Radix Puerariae ), Huangqin ( Radix Scutellariae ), and Shigao ( Gypsum Fibrosum), etc., such as Chai Ge Jieji Tang (Decoction). 2. For depression and stasis of liver-qi manifested as irregular menstruation, pain in the chest, hypochondria and breast, it can be combined with Baishaoyao (Radix Paeoniae Alba ), Chuanxiong ( Rhizoma Chuanxiong ) , and Zhike ( Fructus Aurantii ), etc., such as Chaihu Shugan San (Powder). 3. It is used for the treatment of prolapses due to deficiency of qi, such as prolapse of rectum, or uterus, or gastroptosis, and shortness of breath and weakness, etc., since it is effective in uplifting qi of the stomach and spleen. It can be combined with Shengma (Rhizoma Cimicifugae), Huangqi (Radix Astragali) and other herbs that can uplift the qi of middle energizer, such as Buzhong Yiqi Tang (Decoction). Usage and Dosage 3 -10 g is used in decoction for oral use. The raw is suitable for reconciliation and relieving fever and uplifting yang-qi, and the stir-fried with vinegar for dispersing the stagnated liver-qi. Small dosage is suitable for uplifting yang and soothing the liver, 3 - 5 g being generally used; large dosage for reconciliation to relieve fever, 10 g being generally used. Notes Contraindicated for the syndromes of sthenia of liver-yang, liver-wind stirring inside, hyperactivity of fire due to yin-deficiency or adverse flow of qi.
