Selaginella is a commonly used medicinal herb for promoting blood circulation and regulating menstruation. It is the dried whole plant of Selaginella tamariscina (Beauv.) Spring or Selaginella pulvinata (Hook. et Grev.) Maxim., both belonging to the Selaginellaceae family. It has the efficacy of promoting blood circulation and unblocking the menstrual channels. It is used to treat amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, masses and lumps, and injuries from falls or blows.
Selaginella
Selaginella is a commonly used medicinal herb for promoting blood circulation and regulating menstruation. It is the dried whole plant of Selaginella tamariscina (Beauv.) Spring or Selaginella pulvinata (Hook. et Grev.) Maxim., both belonging to the Selaginellaceae family. It has the efficacy of promoting blood circulation and unblocking the menstrual channels. It is used to treat amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, masses and lumps, and injuries from falls or blows.
Chinese Name : 卷柏
Latin Name : Selaginellae Herba
Aliases : "One-Grab," "Tiger's Claw," "Evergreen Herb"
Authentic Producing Area : Mainly produced in Shandong, Liaoning, and Hebei
Nature, Flavor & Meridian Tropism : Pungent in taste, neutral in nature; enters the Liver and Heart meridians
Benefits & Efficacy
Benefits
Selaginella has the efficacy of promoting blood circulation and regulating menstruation.
Indications
Selaginella is primarily used to treat amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, masses and lumps, and injuries from falls or blows.
Usage and Dosage
5–10 g.
Precautions
Children, lactating women, and patients with chronic diseases are advised to use this herb under the guidance of a TCM practitioner.
Chemical Constituents
It primarily contains flavonoids: apigenin, cypress diflavone, taxus diflavone, cycad diflavone, isocryptin, amantoflavone, selaginellin C, etc.; it also contains essential oils, amino acids, and trehalose.
Pharmacological Actions
This product possesses pharmacological effects such as anticoagulation, antitumor activity, and immune modulation.
Relevant Discussions
1. *Shennong Bencao Jing*: “Treats pathogenic factors affecting the five viscera; cold and heat pain in the female genital tract; masses and masses; amenorrhea and infertility; long-term use lightens the body and improves complexion.”
2. *Rihua Zi Bencao*: “Stops coughing and retching; treats rectal prolapse; disperses urinary calculi; alleviates dizziness caused by stroke; treats paralysis and syncope; strengthens the penis and enhances essence.”
3. *Classified Materia Medica*: “Treats trauma and contusions; promotes the flow of qi; when stir-fried until black, it stops hemoptysis.”
Applications
Clinical Applications
1. For women with amenorrhea leading to masses, alternating chills and fever, and infertility: 4 liang of Selaginella, 2 liang of Angelica sinensis (both soaked in wine and stir-fried), 2 liang each of Atractylodes macrocephala and Moutan bark, 1 liang of Paeonia lactiflora, and 5 qian of Ligusticum chuanxiong. Divide into seven doses, decoct in water, and take orally; or mix with refined honey to form pills, taking 4 qian every morning with plain hot water. (*Hui Yan of Materia Medica*)
2. For rectal bleeding: Equal parts Selaginella, Platycladus, and palm. Burn until charred, then grind into a powder. Take three qian per dose with wine. It may also be made into pills and taken with rice. (*Ren Cun Fang*)
Related Compatibility
1. Selaginella combined with Safflower: Both Selaginella and Safflower act on the blood system, with functions of promoting blood circulation and regulating menstruation. When used in combination, they enhance the effects of promoting blood circulation, removing blood stasis, regulating menstruation, and relieving pain. This combination is suitable for symptoms such as menstrual abdominal pain caused by blood stasis, irregular menstruation, menstrual bleeding with clots, or even amenorrhea.
2. Selaginella combined with Acorus: Selaginella promotes blood circulation, regulates menstruation, and dissipates masses; Acorus breaks up blood stasis, regulates qi, and relieves pain. When used together, their efficacy in promoting blood circulation and dissipating masses is enhanced, making this combination suitable for masses and lumps caused by blood stasis.
3. Selaginella combined with Frankincense: Selaginella promotes blood circulation and removes blood stasis; Frankincense promotes blood circulation, regulates qi, and relieves pain. When used together, these two herbs not only disperse qi stagnation but also promote blood circulation and disperse blood stasis, while enhancing the analgesic effect. This combination is suitable for symptoms such as swelling and pain due to blood stasis resulting from trauma.
Medicinal Identification
Raw Selaginella and Charred Selaginella: These are two different processed forms of Selaginella with distinct therapeutic effects. Raw Selaginella is primarily used to invigorate blood circulation and regulate menstruation; it is commonly applied to treat dysmenorrhea caused by blood stasis obstructing the menstrual cycle, as well as masses, lumps, and symptoms resulting from trauma. Charred Selaginella is primarily used to resolve blood stasis and stop bleeding; it is commonly used for hemoptysis, metrorrhagia, hematochezia, and rectal prolapse.
Related Medicines
Xiaozhilin Tablets.
Related Prescriptions
San Shen Wu Jin Powder (from *Puji Fang*, citing *Ren Cun Tang Ji Yan Fang*), Selaginella Pills (*Yang’s Family Prescriptions*).
Notes
Patients requiring treatment with Chinese herbal medicine should first consult a licensed Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) hospital, where a TCM practitioner will conduct a professional pattern differentiation and issue a herbal prescription.
Processing & Preparation
Harvesting & Processing
Harvest throughout the year; remove fibrous roots and soil, then sun-dry.
Processing Methods
1. Selaginella: Remove residual fibrous roots and impurities, wash thoroughly, cut into sections, and dry.
2. Charred Selaginella: Take clean Selaginella and roast it according to the method for charring herbs (Appendix II D) until the surface turns charred black.
Crude Drug Identification
Properties of Crude Drugs
1. Selaginella: This product is curled into a fist-like shape, 3–10 cm long. The branches grow in clusters; they are flattened and branched, green or brownish-yellow, and curled inward. The branches are densely covered with scale-like leaflets, and the tips of the leaflets have long awns.The median leaves (ventral leaves) are arranged in two rows; they are ovate-oblong and arranged obliquely upward. The leaf margins are membranous with irregular, fine serrations; the membranous margins on the abaxial surface of the lateral leaves are often brownish-black. Brown to brownish-black fibrous roots remain at the base, either scattered or clustered into short, stem-like structures. The product is brittle and breaks easily. It has a faint odor and a bland taste.
2. Cushion-like Selaginella: Fibrous roots are mostly scattered. The median leaves (ventral leaves) are arranged in two rows; they are ovate-lanceolate and arranged straight upward. The leaf blades are asymmetrical on the left and right sides; the inner margin is relatively straight, while the outer margin is often thickened due to inward folding, appearing entire.
Properties of Processed Slices
1. Selaginella: Appears as curled segments; branches are flattened and branched, green or brownish-yellow, curling inward, and densely covered with scale-like leaflets. The tips of the leaves bear long awns.The middle leaves (ventral leaves) are arranged in two rows; they are ovate-oblong or ovate-lanceolate, arranged obliquely or straight upward. The leaf margins are membranous, with irregular fine serrations or entire margins; the membranous margins on the underside of the dorsal leaves (lateral leaves) are often brownish-black. It has a faint odor and a bland taste.
2. Selaginella Charcoal: Resembles Selaginella, appearing as curled segments. The surface is charred black with a slight sheen. It is brittle, has a roasted aroma, and tastes slightly bitter.
Botanical Information
Botanical Classification
Derived from Selaginella, a plant of the Selaginellaceae family.
Morphological Characteristics
1. Selaginella: A perennial herb, 5–15 cm tall. The main stem is short or long, erect, and bears fibrous roots at the base. Branches grow in clusters, are erect, and curl into a fist-like shape when dried; they are densely covered with imbricate leaves and branch fan-like up to 2–3 times pinnately.Leaves are small, heteromorphic, and arranged alternately; lateral leaves are lanceolate-acicular, approximately 3 mm long, with a keel-like base and a long awn at the apex; the side facing away from the midrib is entire and broadly membranous, while the side facing the midrib has an extremely narrow membranous margin with fine serrations;The central leaves are arranged in two rows; they are ovate-lanceolate, 2 mm long, with a long awn at the apex, oblique, unequal on the left and right sides, with slightly serrated margins, and a sunken midrib on the upper surface. Spore-bearing spikes are borne at the branch tips and are quadrangular;Spore leaves are triangular, with a long awn at the apex and broad membranous margins; sporangia are reniform, with irregular arrangement of large and small spores.
2. Cushion-like Selaginella is morphologically similar to Selaginella, but the main differences are that its roots are scattered rather than aggregated into a stem, and its branches are numerous and dense. The ventral leaves are parallel, pointing upward, fleshy, and entire.
Distribution Area
1. Selaginella: Distributed throughout most regions of China. 2. Selaginella subulata: Distributed throughout most regions of China.