Bupleurum chinense
| Bupleurum chinense | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 3 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Self Pollinated | |
| Height: | 3' |
| Width: | 2' |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Mid Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Bupleurum chinense (common name: bei chai hu)
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 8 weeks at 15°c[1]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer or following spring.
Division in spring. Very easy, larger clumps can be planted direct into their permanent positions. It is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are well rooted before planting them out in the summer.
Cultivation: An easily cultivated plant[2], it succeeds in a sunny position in most fertile well-drained soils[1][3][4].
This species is closely related to B. falcatum, and is included in that species by some botanists.
Range: E. Asia - China, Korea.
Habitat: Grassy areas on hills and mountain slopes in Korea[5].
Edibility: Leaves and young shoots - cooked[6][7][8].The new growth in spring and autumn is used[9][ 179]. It is a good source of rutin[10].
Root - cooked. A famine food, used when all else fails[8][10].
Medicinal: Bei chai hu root has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for at least 2,000 years[4]. It is a bitter herb that is used to harmonize the body, balancing the different organs and energies within the body[11]. It strengthens the digestive tract, acts as a tonic for the liver and circulatory system, lowers fevers and has anti-viral effects[4].
The root is alterative, analgesic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiperiodic, antipyretic, antiviral, carminative, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, haemolytic, hepatic, pectoral, sedative[12][13][174. 176][9][14][4][11]. It is taken internally in the treatment of malaria, blackwater fever, uterine and rectal prolapse, haemorrhoids, sluggish liver, menstrual disorders, abdominal bloating etc[4]. The roots are harvested in the autumn and can be used fresh or dried[4].
The root contains saikosides[11]. These saponin-like substances have been shown to protect the liver from toxicity whilst also strengthening its function, even in people with immune system disorders[11]. These saikosides also stimulate the body's production of corticosteroids and increase their anti-inflammatory affect[11].
The plant is often used in preparations with other herbs to treat the side effects of steroids[14].
Usage: The old plant is used as a fuel[9][10].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Bird, R. Growing from Seed Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan, 1989.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ Medicinal Plants in the Republic of Korea. World Health Organisation, 1998.
- ↑ Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ Tanaka, Tyōzaburō. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing, 1976.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Stuart, George. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei Southern Materials Centre.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Read, Bernard. Famine Foods Listed in the Chiu Huang Pen Ts'ao. Taipei Southern Materials Centre, 1977.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 Chevallier, Andrew. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Dorling Kindersley, 1996.
- ↑ Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Oriental Herbs and Vegetables, Vol 39 No. 2. Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 1986.
- ↑ Revolutionary Health Committee of Hunan Province. A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Duke, James and Edward Ayensu. Medicinal Plants of China. Reference Publications, 1985.