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Dietary supplement

Bupleurum Root (Chai Hu) Powder Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by TerraVita Premium Collection

Powder Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Bupleurum Root (Chai Hu) Powder is a dietary supplement by TerraVita Premium Collection with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for liver and digestive support, cold, flu, and fever, inflammation.Based on those ingredients, 327 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Bupleurum, Powder. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Bupleurum Root (Chai Hu) Powder by TerraVita Premium Collection

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product is pure bupleurum root powder — a single active ingredient with a long history in traditional medicine, also called Chai Hu. There are no inactive ingredients listed.

Does it work?

Couldn't assess
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Not assessable

This is a single-ingredient Bupleurum product and its label doesn't state a use — see Bupleurum's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.

The evidence we hold rates bupleurum as having insufficient reliable evidence for the uses listed: asthma, liver cancer, respiratory tract infections, depression, epilepsy, and hepatitis B. That means the research so far hasn't established whether it actually works for these purposes.

If you're considering it for a specific health concern, talk it over with your doctor or pharmacist to weigh what's known.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Bupleurum

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Bupleurum has been linked to rare but serious lung and liver problems, and the quality of products can vary. Because it's typically used short-term in herbal formulas, long-term safety isn't well established.

Some people taking bupleurum-containing products have reported nausea, loss of appetite, belly fullness, fatigue, and tingling sensations — though it's unclear whether bupleurum itself or other ingredients in those formulas caused them. There have also been rare reports of serious lung inflammation (pneumonitis and pulmonary edema) tied to combination products containing bupleurum.

The safety data advises against using bupleurum during pregnancy or breastfeeding. If you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or nursing, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this product.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Bupleurum

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Bupleurum.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs; immunosuppressants / transplant drugs; diabetes medications.
  • For scale: 327 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Before taking this product, check with your own doctor or pharmacist if you take blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs (like warfarin or aspirin) — bupleurum may increase bleeding risk. Also mention any diabetes medications or immunosuppressants, as bupleurum might reduce how well they work.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no assessable stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Bupleurum root is a traditional herb with a long history in herbal formulas, but the research doesn't yet confirm it works for the common uses listed. More importantly, it may interact with blood thinners, diabetes medications, and immune-suppressing drugs, and rare serious lung and liver effects have been reported.

Check your medications with your doctor or pharmacist before starting, especially if you take any prescription drugs or have liver or lung concerns.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Jan 23, 2023.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Bupleurum Root (Chai Hu) Powder, straight from the product label.

Brand TerraVita Premium Collection
Barcode (UPC) 064435147259
Net contents 1 Ounce(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jan 23, 2023
DSLD ID 282764
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Powder
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years)
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Bupleurum Root (Chai Hu) Powder by TerraVita Premium Collection, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
0.25 Teaspoon(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
0.25 Teaspoon(s)
Servings per container
28
UPC/BARCODE
064435147259
IngredientAmount% DV
Bupleurum, Powder1000 mg--

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
FDA Statement of Identity

A Dietary Supplement

Brand IP Statement(s)

Copyright 2005 TerraVita - Distributed by ZooScape LLC, All Rights Reserved.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions Stir 1/4 of a teaspoon into a glass of water and consume 3 times daily, with meals.

General Statements

TerraVita is an exclusive line of premium natural products that use the finest, purest and most potent ingredients in the world. TerraVita's hallmarks are the highest possible standards of purity, potency, stability and freshness. All products are prepared with the greatest quality control, from raw materials through the entire manufacturing process, right up to the moment your product is sealed for freshness and shipped to you.

Please recycle!

FDA Disclaimer Statement

Statements not evaluated by FDA. Product not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

See for yourself

Bupleurum Root (Chai Hu) Powder by TerraVita Premium Collection label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Bupleurum Root (Chai Hu) Powder by TerraVita Premium Collection

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size0.25 Teaspoon(s) Dosage formPowder Servings per container28 Amounts shown are per serving.

Bupleurum, Powder

Interacts with
327 drugs
1000 mg per serving

Bupleurum (Chai Hu) is a root used in traditional Chinese medicine, usually as part of multi-herb formulas, for liver, digestive, and fever-related co...

Bupleurum, Powder monograph & interactions
Interaction report

Bupleurum Root (Chai Hu) Powder by TerraVita Premium Collection Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Bupleurum Root (Chai Hu) Powder?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

Go to the checker
327Drugs
327 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Bupleurum Root (Chai Hu) Powder with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Bupleurum, Powder3 drug types · 327 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, bupleurum might increase the risk of bleeding when taken with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
In vitro research suggests that saikosaponins, constituents of bupleurum, can inhibit platelet aggregation.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Antidiabetes Drugs

Theoretically, bupleurum might decrease the effects of antidiabetes drugs.
Animal research suggests that saikosaponins, constituents of bupleurum, can increase blood glucose.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Immunosuppressants

Theoretically, bupleurum might decrease the effects of immunosuppressants.
In vitro and animal research suggests that bupleurum might stimulate immune function.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Bupleurum Root (Chai Hu) Powder, from the product label.

TerraVita Premium Collection

See all TerraVita Premium Collection products
Name
TerraVita Fine Whole Herbs
City
Brampton
State
Ontario
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Bupleurum Root (Chai Hu) Powder by TerraVita Premium Collection: Common Questions

Does Bupleurum Root (Chai Hu) Powder by TerraVita Premium Collection interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Bupleurum Root (Chai Hu) Powder has a known interaction with 327 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Bupleurum Root (Chai Hu) Powder contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
What is bupleurum root used for?
In traditional medicine, bupleurum root (Chai Hu) has been used to support various health concerns, but we don't have reliable evidence that it actually works for asthma, respiratory infections, liver cancer, depression, epilepsy, or hepatitis B. If you're thinking about it for a specific condition, ask your doctor or pharmacist what the current science says.
Can I take this while pregnant or breastfeeding?
The safety data advises against it — there isn't enough information to know if it's safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding. If you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or nursing, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using this product.
What side effects have been reported?
Some people taking bupleurum-containing products have reported nausea, loss of appetite, belly fullness, fatigue, and tingling. Rarely, serious lung problems like pneumonitis have been linked to these products, though it's sometimes unclear whether bupleurum itself is responsible or another ingredient. Because of these risks and quality variation, short-term use under professional guidance is the traditional approach.
Is this product pure bupleurum with nothing else?
Yes — this powder contains bupleurum root and no other inactive ingredients like fillers or binders.
Does this interact with blood thinners like warfarin?
Yes, potentially. Bupleurum may theoretically increase bleeding risk if you take blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before using this product if you're on any blood-thinning medication.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

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Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Bupleurum Root (Chai Hu) Powder label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Bupleurum Root (Chai Hu) Powder’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Bupleurum Root (Chai Hu) Powder's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 17 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Bupleurum 17 references
  1. Kobashi Y, Nakajima M, Niki Y, Matsushima T. [A case of acute eosinophilic pneumonia due to Sho-saiko-to]. Nippon Kyobu Shikkan Gakkai Zasshi 1997;35:1372-7.
  2. Wada Y, Kubo M. [Acute lymphoblastic leukemia complicated by type C hepatitis during treatment and further by acute interstitial pneumonia due to sho-saiko-to in 7-year-old]. Arerugi 1997;46:1148-55.
  3. Sato A, Toyoshima M, Kondo A, et al. [Pneumonitis induced by the herbal medicine Sho-saiko-to in Japan]. Nippon Kyobu Shikkan Gakkai Zasshi 1997;35:391-5.
  4. Daibo A, Yoshida Y, Kitazawa S, et al. [A case of pneumonitis and hepatic injury caused by a herbal drug (sho-saiko-to)]. Nippon Kyobu Shikkan Gakkai Zasshi 1992;30:1583-8.
  5. Sugiyama H, Nagai M, Kotajima F, et al. [A case of interstitial pneumonia with chronic hepatitis C following interferon-alfa and sho-saiko-to therapy]. Arerugi 1995;44:711-4.
  6. Ishizaki T, Sasaki F, Ameshima S, et al. Pneumonitis during interferon and/or herbal drug therapy in patients with chronic active hepatitis. Eur Respir J 1996;9:2691-6. PubMed
  7. Nakagawa A, Yamaguchi T, Takao T, Amano H. [Five cases of drug induced pneumonitis due to Sho-saiko-to or interferon-alpha or both]. Nippon Kyobu Shikkan Gakkai Zasshi 1995;33:1361-6.
  8. Miyazaki E, Ando M, Ih K, et al. [Pulmonary edema associated with the Chinese medicine shosaikoto]. Nihon Kokyuki Gakkai Zasshi 1998;36:776-80.
  9. Matsumoto T, Yamada H. Regulation of immune complexes binding of macrophages by pectic polysaccharide from Bupleurum falcatum L.: pharmacological evidence for the requirement of intracellular calcium/calmodulin on Fc receptor up-regulation by bupleuran 2
  10. Hattori T, Ito M, Suzuki Y. [Studies on antinephritic effects of plant components in rats (1). Effects of saikosaponins original-type anti-GBM nephritis in rats and its mechanisms]. Nippon Yakurigaku Zasshi 1991;97:13-21. PubMed
  11. Chang WC, Hsu FL. Inhibition of platelet activation and endothelial cell injury by flavan-3-ol and saikosaponin compounds. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 1991;44:51-6. PubMed
  12. Kato M, Pu MY, Isobe K, et al. Characterization of the immunoregulatory action of saikosaponin-d. Cell Immunol 1994;159:15-25. PubMed
  13. Ushio Y, Oda Y, Abe H. Effect of saikosaponin on the immune responses in mice. Int J Immunopharmacol 1991;13:501-8. PubMed
  14. Hirayama, C., Okumura, M., Tanikawa, K., and et al. A multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial of Shosaiko-to in chronic active hepatitis. Gastroenterol Jpn 1989;24(6):715-719. PubMed
  15. Hiai S, Yokoyama H, Nagasawa T, and et al. Stimulation of the pituitary-adrenocortical axis by saikosaponin of Bupleuri radix. Chemical and Pharmaceutical Bulletin (Tokyo) 1981;29(2):495-499. PubMed
  16. Yokoyama H, Hiai S, and Oura H. Chemical structures and corticosterone secretion-inducing activities of saikosaponins. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 1981;29(2):500-504. PubMed
  17. Sugiyama H, Nagai M, Kotajima F, and et al. [A case of interstitial pneumonia with chronic hepatitis C following interferon-alfa and sho-saiko-to therapy]. Arerugi 1995;44(7):711-714.

See these in context on the Bupleurum monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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