The efficacy and function of Selaginella heterostachya

Selaginella heterostachya is commonly used as a medicinal material in traditional Chinese medicine. This is also because of the medicinal value of Selaginella itself, so today I will tell you about the relevant knowledge about Selaginella.

【English name】Extensive Spikemoss

[Source] Medicinal material source: the whole herb of Selaginella heterostachya, a plant of the Selaginellaceae family.

[Original form] The stem is creeping and about 50cm long. Leaves are dimorphic, with 2 rows on both sides and in the middle of the branches; lateral leaves are obliquely ovate, 2.5-4mm long, 1.5-2mm wide, unequal bases, acuminate or obtuse at the tips, with inconspicuous white membranous narrow edges and small teeth on the edges; middle leaves are thin papery, narrowly ovate, 2-2.5mm long, 0.8-1mm wide, unequal bases, acuminate or awn-shaped at the tips, with inconspicuous white membranous narrow edges and small teeth on the edges. Sporangium spike solitary at the top of branchlets, less often 2, 0.6-1.5mm long; sporophylls dimorphic; lateral leaves smaller, broadly ovate, 1.5-2mm long, 0.8mm wide, with a caudate tip, membranous; middle leaf larger, ovate, 2.5-3mm long, about 1mm wide, acuminate at the tip, thin papery. The megasporangium is nearly spherical and grows at the base of the spike, while the microsporangium is nearly spherical and grows above the base of the spike.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: Growing on hillside grasslands or forest edges below 1650m above sea level.

【Nature and flavor】 Slightly astringent; cool

【Meridian】 Liver meridian

【Functions and indications】 Clears away heat and detoxifies; cools blood and stops bleeding. Mainly snake bite; traumatic bleeding

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decocted in water, 9-15g. For external use: Take appropriate amount, grind into powder and apply to the affected area.

[Discussions by various scholars] "Xinhua Compendium of Materia Medica": The whole plant tastes slightly astringent and is cool in nature. It has the functions of clearing away heat, detoxifying and stopping bleeding. Used for snake bites and traumatic bleeding.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

Everyone should know about the medicinal value of Selaginella heterostachya. We should pay more attention to information in this area so that we can be prepared when encountering problems and avoid panic.