Bupleurum

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 16, 2022.

What are other common names?

• Bupleurum chinense
• Bupleurum exaltatum
• Bupleurum falcatum
• Bupleurum fruticosum
• Bupleurum longifolium
• Bupleurum multinerve
• Bupleurum octoradiatum
• Bupleurum rotundifolium
• Bupleurum scorzonerifolium
• Bei Chai Hu
• Beichaihu
• Bupleuri
• Bupleuri Radix
• Bupleurum Chinese
• Bupleurum Root
• Chai Hu
• Chai-hu
• Chaihu
• Chi Hu
• Chinese Bupleurum
• Chinese Thoroughwax
• Hare's Ear Root
• Radix Bupleuri
• Saiko
• Shrubby Hare's Ear
• Sickleleaf Hare's Ear
• Thoroughwax
• Thorow Wax
• Thorowax

What is this product used for?

Bupleurum is an herb taken by some people as medicine. Science does not support the use of this product for any health problem.

What are the precautions when taking this product?

• Always check with your doctor before you use a natural product. Some products may not mix well with drugs or other natural products.

• Be sure to tell your doctor that you take this product if you are scheduled for surgery or tests.

• Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breastfeeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using this natural product.

• Avoid beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol) while taking this product.

• This product may cause you to be sleepy. Take extra care driving and doing tasks where you need to be alert.

• Take extra care if you are taking drugs that make you drowsy or help you sleep. These are drugs like lorazepam, phenobarbital, zolpidem, or diphenhydramine.

• Take extra care if you are taking drugs to thin your blood. These are drugs like warfarin, heparin, enoxaparin.

• Take extra care if you are taking drugs to dissolve blood clots. These are drugs like alteplase, reteplase, or streptokinase.

• Take extra care if you are taking drugs to help with swelling or inflammation. These are drugs like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen.

• Take extra care if you are at a high risk for infection. This includes people who have had a transplant, are on chemotherapy, or have an autoimmune disease.

• Take extra care and check with your doctor if you have:

  • Cancer

  • Bleeding problems

What should I watch for?

• Stomach cramps

• Increased gas

• Bowel movements more often

• Sleepiness

When do I need to call the doctor?

• Signs of a very bad reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat. Go to the ER right away.

• Very bad belly pain

• Very bad loose stools

• Change in your ability to think clearly

• Bruising or bleeding th...