The efficacy and function of horsetail herb

We are all familiar with Horsetail Herba Coptidis. Horsetail Herba Coptidis is not only edible but also has very high medicinal effects. Eating Horsetail Herba Coptidis regularly can play a very good health-preserving and health-care role.

[Other names] Horsetail stretch grass, horsetail green grass, flying dragon (Guangxi Chinese Materia Medica).

[Source] It is the whole herb of the Lycopodiella cernua of the Lycopodiella family. Available all year round. Tie into small bundles and dry in the shade. Do not expose to direct sunlight or fire, otherwise it will break easily.

[Original form] Perennial evergreen herb, growing in clumps. The fibrous roots are short and few, and except for the densely interlaced gray-white cotton hairs near the roots, the whole body is smooth and hairless, soft and slender, can reach more than 1 meter in length, and is green in color. It has many bifurcated branches and looks like a horsetail. The leaves are thick, soft and slightly waxy. There are two types of leaf shapes: the nutrient leaves are linear-lanceolate, about 4 mm long, less than 1 mm wide, with sharp tips, spirally protruding on branches and twigs, arranged closely, and slightly raised on the back; the spore leaves are rectangular or quasi-circular, about 2 mm long, about 1 mm wide, truncated at the base, with a caudate tip, and raised main veins on the back. The sporangium is reniform, yellowish white, and has a short stalk.

[Habitat distribution] It grows on cliffs or between old tree branches with mosses.

[Properties] The whole plant is green when dried, slender, multi-branched, soft and smooth, slightly shiny, with tightly arranged scales and leaves, not prickly, and mostly without roots; if any roots remain, yellowish-white or grayish-white cotton hairs can be seen. The best ones are blue, dry and long.

【Properties and flavors】 "Guangxi Chinese Materia Medica": "plain, bland."

【Functions and indications】 Relaxes muscles and tendons, activates collaterals, and eliminates rheumatism. Treat injuries from falls, muscle spasms, and tendon and bone pains.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoct in water, 1 to 3 qian; or soak in wine and drink.

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

【Source】 From "Guangxi Chinese Materia Medica"

Horsetail Herba Lycopodiellae is often used in the treatment of some diseases. It can be made into a compound prescription or used alone as needed. However, Horsetail Herba Lycopodiellae should not be consumed blindly to avoid adverse effects on the body.