The efficacy and function of Lycopodiella ciliata

Many people are not very clear about the effects and functions of the traditional Chinese medicine Lycopodiella ciliata. Let’s take a look at it below.

【Other name】 Stretching grass

[Source] Medicinal material source: the whole herb of Lycopodiella uniflora, a plant of the Lycopodiaceae family.

[Original morphology] The plant is relatively large, with a creeping main stem that can reach 1m in length, and upright side branches that can reach up to 15cm in height, unbranched or often one or two times of dichotomous branching, with a diameter of 10-15mm including leaves. The leaves are leathery, spirally arranged, stretched or reflexed downward, lanceolate or oblanceolate, 5-8mm long, 1-1.5mm wide, slightly narrow at the base, gradually pointed at the apex, with sparse serrations on the edge upwards; the midrib is not obvious. Sporangium spikes are solitary at the top of twigs, 2.5-4cm long; sporophylls are broadly ovate, 3-4mm long, 1.5-2mm wide, with white edges, membranous, irregular small serrations, and acuminate at the tip. Sporangium grows in the axils of spore leaves, is kidney-shaped, and yellow; spores are tetrahedral and round.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: mostly grown in alpine meadows, arrow bamboo forests or fir forests.

[Chemical composition] Contains lycopodine, lycodine, lyconnotine, lycodoline, acrifoline, acetylacrifoline, α- and β-obscurine, annotine, annotinine, annopodine, annofoline, fawcettine, lycofawcine, lyfoline, acetyllyfoline and bioalkaloids code-named L10 and Ⅳ-Ⅻ. It also contains terpenes such as 21-episerratriol and 21-epilycocryptol. It also contains lipids, the main components of which are oleic acid, linoleic acid, and palmitic acid; it also contains betaine lipids, which include diacylglyceryltrimethyl homoserine and diacylglycerylhydroxymethyl trimethyl-β-alanine.

[Pharmacological action] Intravenous injection of 30-100 mg/kg of safflower extract from Lycopodiella ciliata into rabbits, cats and dogs can cause a decrease in blood pressure. Perfusion of frog hearts with 3:5000 to 3:20000 of sugine produced a positive inotropic effect. Intravenous injection of 30-75 mg/kg in rabbits can cause T wave inversion or disappearance; intravenous injection of 50-100 mg/kg in cats can cause the same effect. Sumatran has a pressor effect in cats.

【Nature and flavor】 Bitter; Pungent; Neutral

【Functions and indications】 Dispel wind and dampness; relax muscles and promote blood circulation. Mainly used for rheumatic pain, numbness of limbs, irregular menstruation, and traumatic injuries

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoct in water, 5-10g, large dose can be up to 30g; or soak in wine.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

Although Lycopodiella cinerea has many magical effects, it cannot be eaten casually. We need to use the medicine according to the user's own situation. I hope everyone will not take it indiscriminately to avoid unnecessary consequences.