Chai hu, Thorowax root, Hare’s ear root, saiko

Last updated: February 8, 2026Reviewed date: February 8, 2026Reading time: 9 min read
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This perennial 39 inches (1 m) tall plant is in the carrot family and needs copious sun and well-drained soil. Stem is slender, flexous with spreading branches. It resembles fennel or dill in its yellow flower clusters in autumn, and has long sickle-shaped leaves (“hare’s ears”). It is the long, brown,...

For severe symptoms, danger signs, pregnancy, child illness, or sudden worsening, seek urgent medical care.

বাংলা রোগী নোট এখনো যোগ করা হয়নি। পোস্ট এডিটরে “RX Bangla Patient Mode” বক্স থেকে সহজ বাংলা সারাংশ যোগ করুন।

এই তথ্য শিক্ষা ও সচেতনতার জন্য। এটি ডাক্তারি পরীক্ষা, রোগ নির্ণয় বা প্রেসক্রিপশনের বিকল্প নয়।

Article Summary

This perennial 39 inches (1 m) tall plant is in the carrot family and needs copious sun and well-drained soil. Stem is slender, flexous with spreading branches. It resembles fennel or dill in its yellow flower clusters in autumn, and has long sickle-shaped leaves (“hare’s ears”). It is the long, brown, branched, wrinkly root (up to 8 inches/20 cm) of Bupleurum chinense that is considered the original chai hu (pharmaceutical name...

Key Takeaways

  • This article explains Chai Hu Scientific Classification in simple medical language.
Educational health guideWritten for patient understanding and clinical awareness.
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  • Severe symptoms, breathing difficulty, fainting, confusion, or rapidly worsening illness.
  • New weakness, severe pain, high fever, or symptoms after a serious injury.
  • Any symptom that feels urgent, unusual, or unsafe for the patient.
1

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2

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Definition

This perennial 39 inches (1 m) tall plant is in the carrot family and needs copious sun and well-drained soil. Stem is slender, flexous with spreading branches. It resembles fennel or dill in its yellow flower clusters in autumn, and has long sickle-shaped leaves (“hare’s ears”). It is the long, brown, branched, wrinkly root (up to 8 inches/20 cm) of Bupleurum chinense that is considered the original chai hu (pharmaceutical name in Chinese herbal medicine is Radix bupleuri) but other species are used, including B. falcatumv in Japan. One related species is toxic (B. longiradiatum).

 

Basal leaves are lanceolate, upper lamina broad and lower narrowed into petiole. Fruit is oblong and 3-4 mm long. The herb has broad linear to lanceolate shaped leaves that are arranged in an alternative array along the stem. An elliptical or flat shape indicates the seed capsule that form on the herb following floral bloom. Traditionally it is used as herbal tonic for improving functioning of liver. It strengthens the functions of digestive tract.

Facts About Chai Hu

Name Chai Hu
Scientific Name Bupleurum chinense
Native East Asia
Common/English Name Chai hu, Thorowax root, Hare’s ear root, saiko
Name in Other Languages English: Chinese thoroughwa, Bupleurum, Hare’s-ear;
Swedish: inesisk harört;
Plant Growth Habit Perennial herb
Soil Well-drained
Plant Size 39 inches (1 m) tall
Root Bright yellow
Leaf Long sickle-shaped, broad linear to lanceolate
Flower Greenish-yellow
Fruit shape & size Small, cylindrical
Root Taste Bitter

Chai Hu Scientific Classification

Scientific Name: Bupleurum chinense

Rank Scientific Name & (Common Name)
Kingdom Plantae (Plants)
Subkingdom Viridiplantae  (Green plants)
Infrakingdom Streptophyta  (Land plants)
Superdivision Embryophyta
Division Tracheophyta  (Vascular plants, tracheophytes)
Class Magnoliopsida
Order Apiales
Family Apiaceae
Genus Bupleurum L.
Synonyms
  • Bupleurum chinense Franch.
  • Bupleurum chinense f. pekinense (Franch. ex Forb. & Hemsl.) Shan & Y.Li
  • Bupleurum pekinense Franch.
  • Bupleurum pekinense Franch. ex Forbes & Hemsl.
  • Bupleurum scorzonerifolium f. ensifolium H.Wolff
  • Bupleurum scorzonerifolium f. latum (H.Wolff) Nakai
  • Bupleurum togasii Kitag.

History and folklore

Called thorowax root, chai hu (China), saiko (Japan), segl-hareøre (Danish) and hare’s ear root (UK), this plant is commonly used in Chinese herbal medicine in combinations. Used since the first century BC for fever, pain, dizziness, debility, and emotional instability. Also a primary part of Japanese (Kampo) medicine today and a common medicine for insomnia in Taiwan.

Plant description

Basal leaves are lanceolate, upper lamina broad and lower narrowed into petiole. Fruit is oblong and 3-4 mm long. The herb has broad linear to lanceolate shaped leaves that are arranged in an alternative array along the stem. An elliptical or flat shape indicates the seed capsule that form on the herb following floral bloom. Traditionally it is used as herbal tonic for improving functioning of liver. It strengthens the functions of digestive tract.

Health Benefits of Chai Hu

1. Liver detoxification

Liver is the largest internal organ in the body which is responsible for various tasks such as neutralizing toxins. Liver forms bile that assists body in absorbing and utilizing fats and fat soluble vitamins properly. The environmental facts which toll on the liver are eating processed foods, drinking alcohol and taking certain medications and pollution. It is used for liver detoxification and improves overall health of liver.

2. Treats Cirrhosis and Liver Cancer

Cirrhosis is a slowly progressing liver disease in which healthy liver tissue is replaced with scar tissue which blocks blood and flow of bile through liver and prevents proper functioning. Cirrhosis is caused due to excessive alcohol consumption and chronic infection with hepatitis C virus. The severeness of disease causes makes it fatal.

3. Supports Adrenal Gland Function

Chai Hu is used with licorice and panax ginseng to aid and also stimulate adrenal gland function. It is helpful for patients having history of long term use of corticosteroid drugs which takes a major toll on adrenal health. It aids adrenal glands and helps harmonize body and improve energy levels by combatting adrenal insufficiency.

4. Relief from Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a disorder in which nerve cell activity in the brain is disturbed resulting seizures. Chai Hu is included in two similar Chinese formulas: Sho-saiko-to and Saiko-keishi-to. These formulas include cassia bark, peony root, ginger root, pinellia root, Asian ginseng root, jujube fruit, Asian skullcap root and licorice root. Trials have shown that both herbal formulas provide relief to epilepsy patients.

5. Combat Ovarian Cancer

The study evaluated apoptotic, anticancer and antioxidant properties of Chai Hu root extract which impressively induce strong and dose dependent cancer killing effects. The extract has anticancer effects which fosters programmed cell death of cancer cells, DNA fragmentation and disruption of energy metabolism of cancer cells. It combats ovarian and liver cancer.

6. Treats Depression

These days, it has become common to take mood stabilizing drugs for depression or anxiety. But the drugs have various side effects. The herbal formula Chai hu shu gan san, is a herbal formula which includes Chai Hu for stagnation of liver qi. It is effective for treating depression which occurs at the time of premenstrual syndrome and menopause.

What scientists say

In humans: Initial pilot studies, in combination with cinnamon and ginger, showed chai hu clinically improved mood in 90 depressed insomniac females, and lowered measures of infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।" data-rx-term="inflammation" data-rx-definition="Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।">inflammation. Widely studied in several universities in Japan (such as the Faculty of Medicine, Miyazaki University) in combination with six other medicinal plants that make up the Japanese medicine yokukansan, it clinically improves behavioral symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, apathy, delusions, hallucinations, and psychosis (in autism-related disorders), in schizophrenia (controlled study), Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, vascular and Lewy body dementia.

In the lab: Extracts and saikosaponins are antidepressant, sedative and antiepileptic in several lab models. Saikosaponins stop the stimulatory actions of caffeine and methamphetamine. Affects reward (dopamine and noradrenaline) signals.

Key ingredients: Saikosides/saikosaponins (triterpene saponins) show sedative effects in the lab. Also contains bioactive bupleurumol, flavonoids, and coumarins. Essential oil from the root contains 30 percent hexanal (also in olives and pears), the aroma of freshly cut grass.

How to take it

In China, the ground dried root of chai hu is used at the daily dose of 3 to 9 g by decoction. The root is cooked in boiling water (decoction 15 g in 750 ml) to make tea or soup 250 ml 3 times daily.

Safety

May increase effects of central nervous system (CNS) depressants (sedatives and tranquilizers). Large doses produce drowsiness and may increase bowel movements. Overdose causes nausea and vomiting and liver damage. Caution: one related species is toxic (Bupleurum longiradiatum).

Medicinal uses

  • It lowers liver, kidney and upper respiratory tract infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।" data-rx-term="inflammation" data-rx-definition="Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।">inflammation.
  • It boosts natural defense system of the body.
  • It lowers depression and anxiety by inhibiting stress hormones that influence mood.
  • It alleviates dizziness, flank pain, irritability, indigestion, chest pain, nausea, emotional instability, menstrual problems and bloating.
  • Take it internally for malaria, uterine, blackwater fever and rectal prolapse, sluggish liver, haemorrhoids, abdominal bloating etc.

Side effects

  • It causes side effects such as intestinal gas, increased bowel movements and drowsiness.
  • When combined with other herbs, it causes serious lung and breathing problems.
  • People with bleeding disorder, autoimmune disease and insulin is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।" data-rx-term="diabetes" data-rx-definition="Diabetes is a condition where blood sugar stays too high because insulin is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।">diabetes should avoid this herb.
  • People having surgery should stop taking this herb before two weeks as it could increase the chances of bleeding.
  • It might lower the effectiveness of immunosuppressant drugs.

 


References


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Safety note: This is not a prescription or diagnosis. For severe symptoms, pregnancy danger signs, children with serious illness, chest pain, breathing difficulty, stroke-like weakness, or major injury, seek urgent care.

Which doctor may help?

Start with a registered doctor or the nearest qualified health center.

What to tell the doctor

  • Write when the problem started and how it changed.
  • Bring old prescriptions, investigation reports, and current medicines.
  • Write allergies, pregnancy status, diabetes, kidney/liver disease, and major past illnesses.
  • Bring one family member if the patient is weak, elderly, confused, or a child.

Questions to ask

  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
  • Which danger signs mean I should go to hospital quickly?
  • Which tests are necessary now, and which can wait?
  • How should I take medicines safely and what side effects should I watch for?
  • When should I come for follow-up?

Tests to discuss

  • Vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen saturation
  • Basic physical examination by a clinician
  • CBC, urine test, blood sugar, or imaging only when clinically needed

Avoid these mistakes

  • Do not use antibiotics, steroid tablets/injections, or strong painkillers without proper medical advice.
  • Do not hide pregnancy, kidney disease, ulcer, allergy, or blood thinner use.
  • Do not delay emergency care when danger signs are present.

Medicine safety and first-aid guide

This section is for patient education only. It does not replace a doctor, pharmacist, or emergency care.

Safe first steps

  • Drink safe fluids and monitor temperature.
  • In dengue-prone areas, discuss CBC and platelet count when fever persists or warning signs appear.
  • Use tepid sponging for high fever discomfort; avoid ice-cold bathing.

OTC medicine safety

  • For fever, common fever medicine may be discussed with a clinician or pharmacist.
  • Avoid aspirin/ibuprofen-like medicines in suspected dengue unless a doctor says it is safe.

Avoid these mistakes

  • Do not start antibiotics without a proper medical decision.
  • Do not use steroid tablets or injections casually for quick relief.
  • Do not delay emergency care because of home remedies.

Get urgent help if

  • Fever with breathing difficulty, confusion, repeated vomiting, bleeding, severe weakness, stiff neck, or dehydration needs urgent care.
Medicine names, dose, and timing must be decided by a qualified clinician or pharmacist after checking age, pregnancy, allergy, other diseases, and current medicines.

For rural patients and family caregivers

Patient health record and symptom diary

Write your symptoms, medicines already taken, test results, and questions before visiting a doctor. This note stays on your device unless you print or copy it.

Doctor to discuss: Medicine doctor / pediatrician for children / qualified clinician
Tests to discuss with doctor
  • Temperature chart and hydration assessment
  • CBC with platelet count if fever persists or dengue/other infection is possible
  • Urine test, malaria/dengue tests, chest evaluation, or blood culture only when clinically indicated
Questions to ask
  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
  • Which warning signs mean I should go to emergency care?
  • Which tests are really needed now?
  • Which medicines are safe for my age, pregnancy status, allergy, kidney/liver/stomach condition, and current medicines?
  • Do I need antibiotics, or is this more likely viral?

Emergency warning signs such as chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, sudden weakness, confusion, severe dehydration, major injury, or loss of bladder/bowel control need urgent medical care. Do not wait for online information.

Safe pathway to proper treatment

Care roadmap for: Chai hu, Thorowax root, Hare’s ear root, saiko

Use this simple roadmap to understand the next safe steps. It is educational and does not replace examination by a doctor.

Go to emergency care if you notice:
  • Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms
  • Breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting, confusion, severe weakness, major injury, or severe dehydration
Doctor / service to discuss: Qualified healthcare provider; specialist depends on symptoms and examination.
  1. Step 1

    Check danger signs first

    If danger signs are present, seek emergency care and do not wait for online information.

  2. Step 2

    Record the symptom story

    Write when symptoms started, severity, medicines already taken, allergies, pregnancy status, and test results.

  3. Step 3

    Visit a qualified clinician

    A doctor, nurse, or qualified healthcare provider can examine you and decide which tests or treatment are needed.

  4. Step 4

    Do only useful tests

    Do tests after clinical assessment. Avoid unnecessary tests, random antibiotics, or repeated medicines without diagnosis.

  5. Step 5

    Follow up and return early if worse

    If symptoms worsen, new warning signs appear, or treatment is not helping, return for review quickly.

Rural patient practical tips
  • Take a written symptom diary and all previous prescriptions/test reports.
  • Do not hide medicines already taken, even herbal or over-the-counter medicines.
  • Ask which warning signs mean urgent referral to hospital.

This roadmap is for education. A real diagnosis and treatment plan requires history, examination, and clinical judgment.

RX Patient Help

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Write your symptom story. A health professional or site editor can review it before any answer is prepared. This box is not for emergency care.

Emergency first: Severe chest pain, breathing trouble, unconsciousness, stroke signs, severe injury, heavy bleeding, or rapidly worsening symptoms need urgent local medical care now.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this article a replacement for a doctor?

No. It is educational content only. Patients should consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment.

When should I seek urgent care?

Seek urgent care for severe symptoms, rapidly worsening condition, breathing difficulty, severe pain, neurological changes, or any emergency warning sign.

References

Add references, clinical guidelines, textbooks, journal articles, or trusted medical sources here. You can edit this area from the RX Article Professional Blocks panel.

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