The efficacy and function of Selaginella selaginella

As people's living standards improve, they pay more attention to health preservation. Many people know that the Chinese medicine Selaginella is good for the body and can treat many diseases. Let’s learn about it today.

[Other names] Mountain cypress branch, mountain cypress, ground cypress, rock cypress, ground cypress branch, stone cypress, four-leaf cypress, independent golden rooster

[Source] Medicinal material source: the whole herb of Selaginella serrata of the Selaginellaceae family.

[Original form] Perennial herb, 30-50cm high. The main stem is straw-colored and has many branches. Leaves are dimorphic, with 2 rows on each side and in the middle of the branch; lateral leaves are obliquely oblong, 2.5-3mm long, 1.2-1.5mm wide, with short pointed tips, and slightly unequal on both sides. The upper edge is slightly serrated, and the lower edge is entire; the middle lobe is obliquely ovate, about 1.8-2mm long, about 0.6mm wide, obviously incurved, gradually pointed, and entire. Sporangium spike solitary at the top of the branch, 0.6-2cm long, with 4 edges; sporophylls broadly ovate, about 2mm long, about 1mm wide, keel-shaped, with acuminate tip and entire margin; sporangium round kidney-shaped, with megasporangium and microsporangium in different spikes or megasporangium in the middle of the spike and microsporangium in the upper and lower parts.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: grows under forests or in the shade and wet places of valleys.

【Properties】 Identification of properties: The whole plant is curled into a ball and has many fibrous roots. The stem is cylindrical, 20-40cm long, about 1mm in diameter, branched at the top, yellow-green in color, brittle and easy to break. The leaves are dimorphic, with 2 rows on each side, wrinkled and curled. The ventral leaves are long ovate and obviously curved inward, while the dorsal leaves are oblong and slightly unequal on both sides. Sometimes a terminal sporangium spike is visible. Odorless, light taste.

[Preparation] Pick out impurities, wash thoroughly with water, cut into sections and dry in the sun.

【Nature and flavor】 Bitter; pungent; cold

【Functions and indications】 Clears away heat and detoxifies; promotes blood circulation; dispels wind. It is mainly used for cough or hemoptysis due to lung heat; lung abscess; acute tonsillitis; mastitis; conjunctivitis; lacquer sore; burns; irregular menstruation; traumatic injury; infantile convulsion; measles; urticaria

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoction, 10-30g. For external use: take appropriate amount, crush the fresh product and apply; or decoct in water and wash; or grind the dry product into powder and sprinkle.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

Through the introduction of the above content, we can understand that the Chinese medicine Selaginella truncatula plays a very important role in many aspects. Proper consumption of Selaginella has many benefits for our body.