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The dried root of Bupleurum chinense (bei chai hu) or B. scorzonerifolium (nan chai hu) (Apiaceae). Enters the Liver and Gallbladder channels. Bitter, pungent, and cool, it is the essential herb for harmonizing the lesser yang and the chief medicinal in Xiao Chai Hu Tang. Paired with huang qin to harmonize the lesser yang, and with bai shao to course the Liver and soften its rigidity.
和解退热，解表力强
引药入肝，疏肝解郁止痛
抑制升散，滋阴退虚热
和解退热宜生用，用量较重(6–10g)；疏肝解郁宜醋炙，用量宜中(3–9g)；升阳举陷用量宜小(3–6g)。
Reference range for non-pregnant adults. Not a personalized prescription. Pregnancy, lactation, and pediatric use require specialist supervision.
Documented interactions exist with the following Western drug classes. Click to view mechanism, severity, and clinical recommendations.
Protective guidance only — when to avoid or use with caution. This block deliberately omits pregnancy, lactation, and pediatric dosing: any such use must be managed by a qualified TCM practitioner or appropriate specialist.
肝阳上亢、肝风内动、阴虚火旺及气机上逆者忌用或慎用。
柴胡升散，肝阳上亢及阴虚火旺者服之可致头目眩晕加重。大剂量或长期服用可引起肝脏不良反应，需监测肝功能。
味苦，平。主心腹，去肠胃中结气，饮食积聚，寒热邪气，推陈致新。久服轻身明目益精。
上品
@misc{bencaodian-chai-hu,
author = {{Bencaodian Editorial}},
title = {Chái Hú 柴胡 (Bupleurum Root) — Bupleuri Radix},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {Bencao Dian: A Bilingual Knowledge Graph of Traditional Chinese Medicine},
url = {https://bencaodian.org/en/herbs/chai-hu},
urldate = {2026-04-17},
note = {CC BY-SA 4.0}
}© Bencaodian Editorial · Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
柴胡的主要活性成分为柴胡皂苷（a、c、d）、挥发油及多糖，具有解热、抗炎、保肝、免疫调节及中枢镇静作用；其注射剂曾广泛用于发热治疗。
Bupleuri Radix contains saikosaponins (a, c, d), volatile oil, and polysaccharides, with antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory, and central sedative effects; chai hu injection was long used in China for febrile illness.
《中药学》（Bensky）记载柴胡是治疗少阳证的主药，尤以小柴胡汤为代表；现代研究支持其解热和免疫调节作用。
Bensky describes Chai Hu as the chief herb for shaoyang patterns, exemplified by Xiao Chai Hu Tang; modern studies support its antipyretic and immunomodulatory actions.
Brinker 记载日本曾有小柴胡汤与干扰素合用或用于肝硬化患者时发生间质性肺炎和肝损伤的报告，不宜长期大剂量使用。
Brinker cites Japanese reports of interstitial pneumonitis and hepatotoxicity when Xiao Chai Hu Tang is combined with interferon or used in cirrhotic patients, cautioning against prolonged high-dose use.
陈氏药理学指出柴胡皂苷 d 在高剂量时具有溶血性及肝毒性，临床应按规定剂量使用。
Chen & Chen note that saikosaponin d is hemolytic and hepatotoxic at high doses, reinforcing the need for dose compliance.
This section is provided for academic reference only and does not constitute medical advice.