BUPLEURUM & PEONY
Chai Hu/Bai Shao

 

Bupleurum chinense & Paeonia alba

 

 

Chai Hu

bitter, acrid, cool moves energy, harmonises, raises Heat

Bai Shao

bitter, sour, cool nourishes Blood and yin and softens the Liver, stops spasms and pain


Major therapeutic action
Soothes and softens the Liver and moves constrained energy.

 Dosage
The typical proportion when added to a constitutional formula is 6:1 formula to addition (15 grams in 75- 90 grams of formula). If a stronger effect is desired more can be added. When used alone the dose is three grams twice daily.

Indications
*  all patterns where irritability, depression, distension in the hypochondrium, and sighing is a component.

Cautions and contraindications
Caution in patients with dryness patterns.
None noted.

Combinations
*  With Si Jun Zi Tang for patterns in which digestion is the primary pathology and the emotional component is secondary. In this situation, the weak digestion is a vulnerable target for the emotions.