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Chai Hu (Bupleuri Radix), with a neutral Qi and slightly bitter taste, is slightly cold in nature. Its aroma and flavor are both light, belonging to Yang, possessing ascending properties, and is a pure Yang herb without toxicity.

It primarily enters the Shaoyang Meridian (Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian) and Jueyin Meridian (Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian).

Xiang (Li Dongyuan) states: It eliminates deficiency-labor fever and chills, resolves muscle-layer heat, removes morning tidal fever, and is an essential herb for women before and after childbirth. It excels at treating headaches of this meridian (Shaoyang), which other herbs cannot stop. It treats epigastric fullness (Xin Xia Pi) and chest/diaphragm pain. The root stock (Lu) should be removed before use.

Xin (Zhang Yuansu) states: It is an herb that distributes the Shaoyang Meridian, guiding Stomach Qi upward, using its bitter-cold property to release exterior heat.

Zhen (Zhang Yuansu or referenced text) states: It removes alternating chills and fever, and gallbladder heat (Dan Dan); without this herb, these conditions cannot be eliminated.

Ben Cao (Shennong Bencao Jing) states: It governs heart and abdominal disorders, removes stagnant Qi in the intestines and stomach, dissipates food accumulation, expels pathogenic cold and heat, pushes out the old to bring forth the new, clears vexation and heat under the heart caused by Shanghan (Cold Damage), resolves various phlegm-heat solidities, dispels evil Qi in the chest, regulates wandering Qi among the five Zang organs, treats water retention and distension in the large intestine, and alleviates wet-bi (Damp-Bi) with spasms and contractures. It can also be used as a bath decoction. Long-term consumption lightens the body, brightens the eyes, and benefits essence. Ban Xia (Pinelliae Rhizoma) acts as its assistant; it is incompatible with Zao Jia (Gleditsiae Sinensis Fructus Spina), and fears Nu Wan (Asteris Tatarici Radix) and Li Lu (Veratri Nigrum Rhizoma). It enters the Foot-Shaoyang Meridian and primarily governs the distribution of Wood Qi from the East. In the meridians, it governs Qi; in the Zang organs, it governs Blood. If symptoms advance, there is aversion to heat; if they retreat, there is aversion to cold. Although its Qi is slightly cold and its flavor thin, it can therefore circulate through the meridians. If combined with San Leng (Sparganii Rhizoma), E Zhu (Curcumae Rhizoma), or Ba Dou (Crotonis Fructus), it can eliminate hard accumulations, indicating its primary action on Blood. For women whose menstruation has just started or stopped, or for Shanghan and miscellaneous diseases, Yi Lao (Zhang Yuansu) commonly uses Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) as the main formula, adding Si Wu Tang (Four Substances Decoction) and herbs like Qin Jiao (Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix) and Mu Dan Pi (Moutan Cortex), collectively serving as formulas to regulate menstruation.

Yan Yi (Kou Zongshi) states: Chai Hu, according to the Ben Jing (Shennong Bencao Jing), contains not a single word regarding the treatment of labor (deficiency-fatigue). Yet, nowadays, few formulas for treating labor omit it. This misleads the world greatly. I have traced the pathology of labor; there is a type involving true Zang organ deficiency where pathogenic heat is superimposed, leading to labor due to deficiency. Thus, "Labor" (Lao) implies "firmness" or "solidity," and one must exercise caution in its use. For example, in Jing Fang (Experience Formulas) for treating labor-fever, Qing Hao Jian Wan (Artemisiae Annuae Decoction Pill) uses Chai Hu appropriately, and it is invariably effective.

Ri Hua Zi (Daily Life Master) states: It has a sweet taste, tonifies the Five Labors and Seven Injuries, relieves vexation and stops惊悸 (palpitations/fright), and boosts Qi strength. Xing Ming Lun (Treatise on Medicinal Properties) also states it treats fatigue, exhaustion, and emaciation. In such cases, if there is no excess-heat, and physicians still use it, death is inevitable. When annotating Ben Cao, every character must not be neglected, as the errors inflicted upon later generations are endless. Wise individuals can manage this themselves; those of average or inferior ability, unwilling to investigate, will recklessly cause patients' demise. How can one not be cautious? How can one not be vigilant? For instance, when Zhang Zhongjing treated alternating chills and fever resembling malaria, he used Chai Hu, which was perfectly appropriate.

Tu Jing (Illustrated Classic) states: There are Da Chai Hu Tang (Major Bupleurum Decoction), Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang (Bupleurum Plus Dragon Bone and Oyster Shell Decoction), and Chai Hu Jia Mang Xiao Tang (Bupleurum Plus Mirabilite Decoction) for treating Shanghan. Therefore, later generations consider this herb the most crucial for treating Shanghan heat.

Dong Yuan (Li Dongyuan) states: It can guide clear Qi to travel along the Yang pathways. In treating Shanghan, it is added to other herbs only if there is heat; otherwise, it is not added. It also guides Stomach Qi upward, ascending and circulating like the Spring season's energy. To achieve such effects, why add more?

Hai Zang (Zhang Yuansu/Hai Zang School) states: It can remove deficiency within and outside the Zang and Fu organs. Since it guides clear Qi upward to follow the Yang pathway and enters the Foot-Shaoyang Meridian, it corresponds to the fact that Shaoyang Qi, emerging from the earth like tender shoots, represents young Yang. Thus, Shaoyang is used to represent it.