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Bupleurum chinense
  • Bei Chai Hu

a perennial member of the Bupleurum genus in the family Umbelliferae.

Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 3
    Zone 3
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Bupleurum chinense has 0 edible uses listed
Bupleurum chinense has 0 material uses listed
Bupleurum chinense has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Leaves and young shoots - cooked[1][2][3].The new growth in spring and autumn is used[4][5]. It is a good source of rutin[5]. Root - cooked. A famine food, used when all else fails[3][5].

Leaves

Unknown use

Root

Unknown use

Unknown part

Rutin

Material uses

The old plant is used as a fuel[4][5].

Unknown part

Fuel

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Bei chai hu root has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for at least 2,000 years[6]. It is a bitter herb that is used to harmonize the body, balancing the different organs and energies within the body[7]. It strengthens the digestive tract, acts as a tonic for the liver and circulatory system, lowers fevers and has anti-viral effects[6].

The root is alterative, analgesic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiperiodic, antipyretic, antiviral, carminative, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, haemolytic, hepatic, pectoral, sedative[116, 147, 174. 176, 178, 218, 238, 254]. It is taken internally in the treatment of malaria, blackwater fever, uterine and rectal prolapse, haemorrhoids, sluggish liver, menstrual disorders, abdominal bloating etc[6]. The roots are harvested in the autumn and can be used fresh or dried[6]. The root contains saikosides[7]. 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[7]. These saikosides also stimulate the body's production of corticosteroids and increase their anti-inflammatory affect[7].

The plant is often used in preparations with other herbs to treat the side effects of steroids[8].

Unknown part

Alterative
Analgesic
Antibacterial
Antiinflammatory
Antiperiodic
Antipyretic
Antiviral
Carminative
Diaphoretic
Emmenagogue
Haemolytic
Pectoral
Sedative

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 8 weeks at 15°c[9]. 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.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Bupleurum chinense. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

An easily cultivated plant[10], it succeeds in a sunny position in most fertile well-drained soils[9][11][6]. This species is closely related to B. falcatum, and is included in that species by some botanists.

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Bupleurum chinense. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Bupleurum chinense.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Bupleurum chinense
Genus
Bupleurum
Family
Umbelliferae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5]
Medicinal uses
[6][7][8]
Material uses & Functions
[4][5]
Botanic
[12]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
3
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    1 x 0.6 meters
    Fertility
    self fertile
    Pollinators
    Insects
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite












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