The root we tasted this week was Chaí hú, 柴胡, Bupleurum, also known as rabbit ear root. Interested in joining the mostly online Plant Meditation Club? Click here.
I did this meditation with my daughter.
Mouth and Taste:
This tea that looks like twigs (but is roots) was very light in flavor.
My Meditations
First one: I feel my energy at the front entry of my nose. Then then the energy is located in pathways going up my forehead. No words, completely silent. At the very end it started to look like strawberries and cream, in color. The energy pathways were pink like strawberries, and the other areas like cream.
Second one: Again, silent and empty. The first approximately 6 minutes involved energetic focus at the outward edges of my eyebrows, at acupuncture point San Jiao 23, Sizhukong, silk bamboo hole. It moved over and for the next few minutes was at the arches of my eyebrow, at Extra point, Head and Neck 4, Yu Yao. Then at the end it was at the inner edges and between my eyebrows, focused on Bladder 2, Zanzhu, gathered bamboo. These points are good for the eyes. This experience reminded me of some eye massage techniques I was taught a while ago by a vision therapist.
My daughter's Meditations:
First: I kept my eyes open because it was difficult to keep them closed. When I did close my eyes the Tunic Song for Karen. I heard, "Dreaming, dreaming.." and then I fell asleep.
Second: I think this would be helpful for trauma. I was thinking about a book I read where the character gets over trauma. The song Institutionalized by Suicidal Tendencies is in my head.
Thinking about passages in books where they descibe using drugs, and they say they 'slowly pour through my system'.
I am a little scared of this tea. It feels gross, like I am doing a drug. It felt like too much for my body.
Institutionalized lyrics (seems like a relevant vibe for this herb's uses):
Sometimes I try to do things and it just doesn't work out the way I wanted too
And I get real frustrated, and its like
And I try hard to do it and take my time
And it just doesn't work out the way I want it too
It's like I concentrate on it real hard but it just doesn't work out
And everything I do and everything I try, it never turns out
It's like I need time to figure these things out
But there's always someone there going
Hey Mike: You know we've been noticing you've been having a lot of problems lately
You know, maybe you get away, and like maybe you should talk about it,
You'll feel a lot better
And I go: No it's okay, you know I'll figure it out
Just leave me alone I'll figure it out
You know I'll just work it on myself,
And they go: Well you know if you want to talk about it I'll be here, you know
And you'll probably feel a lot better if you talk about it, so want don't you talk about it
And I go: No I don't want to, I'm okay, I'll figure it out myself
And they just keep bugging me and they just keep bugging me
And it builds up inside
So you're gonna be institutionalized
You'll come out brainwashed with bloodshot eyes
You won't have any say
They'll brainwash you until you see their way
I'm not crazy - institution
You're the one who's crazy - institution
You're driving me crazy - institution
They stuck me in an institution
Said it was the only solution
To give me the needed professional help
To protect me from the enemy - myself
I was in my room and I was just like staring at the wall thinking about everything
But then again I was thinking about nothing
And then my mom came in and I didn't even know she was there she called my name
And I didn't even hear it, and then she started screaming: MIKE! MIKE!
And I go: What, what's the matter?
And she goes: What's the matter with you?
I go: There's nothing wrong mom
And she goes: Don't tell me that, you're on drugs!
And I go: No mom I'm not on drugs I'm okay, I was just thinking you know,
Why don't you get me a Pepsi
And she goes: No you're on drugs!
I go: Mom I'm okay, I'm just thinking
She goes: No you're not thinking, you're on drugs! Normal people don't act that way!
I go: Mom just give me a Pepsi, please
All I want is a Pepsi, and she wouldn't give it to me
All I wanted was a Pepsi, just one Pepsi, and she wouldn't give it to me
Just a Pepsi
They give you a white shirt with long sleeves
Tied around you're back, you're treated like thieves
Drug you up because they're lazy
It's too much work to help a crazy
I'm not crazy - institution
You're the one who's crazy - institution
You're driving me crazy - institution
They stuck me in an institution
Said it was the only solution
To give me the needed professional help
To protect me from the enemy - myself
I was sitting in my room and my mom and my dad came in
And they pulled up a chair and they sat down, they go:
Mike, we need to talk to you
And I go: Okay what's the matter
They go:
Me and your mom have been noticing lately that you've been having a lot of problems,
You've been going off for no reason and we're afraid you're gonna hurt somebody,
We're afraid you're gonna hurt yourself
So we decided that it would be in your interest if we put you somewhere
Where you could get the help that you need
And I go: Wait, what are you talking about, we decided!?
My best interest?! How do you know what's my best interest is?
How can you say what my best interest is? What are you trying to say, I'm crazy?
When I went to your schools, I went to your churches,
I went to your institutional learning facilities?! So how can you say I'm crazy?
They say they're gonna fix my brain
Alleviate my suffering and my pain
But by the time they fix my head
Mentally I'll be dead
I'm not crazy - institution
You're the one who's crazy - institution
You're driving me crazy - institution
They stuck me in an institution
Said it was the only solution
To give me the needed professional help
To protect me from the enemy - myself
It doesn't matter, I'll probably get hit by a car anyway
Summary and Medicinal Use:
Bupleurum is used primarily for liver support in classical Chinese medicine and traditional Western herbalism. These meditations were really different but displayed uses accurately. In Chinese medicine the liver opens to the eyes, so supporting the liver will support eye health. The plant's intelligence covered this treatment of eye tension and strain.
This herb is also used for anger, irritability, phobias, and depression (often with mint) from liver qi stagnation (during teen years the liver is under more stress because of all the hormones it must process, this can lead to acne and mood swings) and liver toxicity from drugs and alcohol. The mood communicated through the song and the sensation of being on drugs very clearly indicated the plants ability to support these issues, including trauma. I am always grateful for the way the plants communicate so well.
This herb is also used for colds, fever and chills, immunity, liver support in general, asthma (which can be related to poor fat processing (liver), indigestion, and hemorrhoids. It is used to strengthen the spleen which helps with prolapse and decision making. I also think of herbs that work with the spleen/immunity as cleaning out psychic spaces. I love how different the experiences were--it shows that diversity of its impacts.
Have you worked with Bupleurum or Chai Hu, either personally or with clients? If so please share your experiences below and add to our knowledge base of this plant.
