In China,some species of Bupleurum (family Umbelliferae) have been used as Chinese traditional medicine under the name “Chai-Hu” for the treatment of fevers and influenza.In the present paper,the authors report a study on the investigation and exploitation of new medicinal resources of “Chai-Hu” in Qinghai Province and Xizang (Tibet) Autonomous Region where no one has studied this hitherto.18 species,7 varieties,I form of Bupleurum and a new species (Bupleurum qinghaiense) have been discovered.The taxonomy and preliminary phytochemical studies of the roots of three medicinal plants,B.qinghaiense,B.rnarginatum var.stenophyllum and B.smithii var.parvifolium.are reported in this paper.
