Lepisorus eilophyllus (Diels) Ching
Aliases：Shí Jiāng Dòu (literally "Stone Cowpea"), Shí Xiǎo Dòu (literally "Stone Small Bean"), and Diǎn Zi Cǎo (literally "Dot Grass" / "Spots Grass"). (These are all alternative names for Gāo Shān Wǎ Wéi, i.e., Alpine Fern / Lepisorus eilophyllus.)
Gāo Shān Wǎ Wéi (Alpine Fern) is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It is the dried whole herb of Lepisorus eilophyllus (Diels) Ching, a plant belonging to the family Polypodiaceae. It grows on rocks under alpine oak forests or at forest edges at altitudes of 2,600–3,900 meters.
Efficacy & Actions
Dispels wind and dampness, strengthens the spleen and treats malnutrition, promotes diuresis and treats strangury, and stops bleeding.
Indications
Rheumatic pain, low back pain due to strain, lumbar pain, difficult urination, strangury with turbid discharge, metrorrhagia and metrostaxis, leukorrhea, epistaxis, and infantile malnutrition (gan accumulation).
Modern Pharmacology
Modern research has shown that plants of the genus Lepisorus have the effects of clearing heat, removing toxicity, stopping bleeding, relieving cough, promoting diuresis, and reducing swelling. They are widely used in folk medicine for acute and chronic nephritis, lung‑heat cough, rheumatic joint pain, and other conditions. The components contained in Alpine Fern have effects such as clearing heat, removing toxicity, promoting diuresis, reducing swelling, relieving cough, and calming wheezing.
Ingredients
Plants of the genus Lepisorus are rich in flavonoids, phenols, steroids, saponins, and other chemical components. They contain ecdysterone. Alpine Fern (Shí Jiāng Dòu) contains alkaloids, which have inhibitory effects against Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Shigella flexneri.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 6–9 g; or 2–3 qian (approximately 6–9 g, a traditional Chinese unit of weight); or soak in wine. It may also be ground into powder for oral use.
Contraindications
Contraindicated in patients with Middle Jiao cold with diarrhea.
Selected Formulas
For metrorrhagia and leukorrhea (Shaanxi Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take 12g each of Shijiangdou (a local herb, also known as Gaoshan Wawei) and Sanbaicao (Saururus chinensis), 9g each of Taibaihua (a local herb), Jinsidai (a local herb), and Hongsanqi (a local herb), and 6g of Chaihu (Bupleurum chinense). Decoct in water, with sweet fermented rice wine as a guide. For strangury and rheumatic pain (Shaanxi Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take 30g of Shijiangdou, decoct in water and drink. For infantile malnutrition (gan) (Shaanxi Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take 30g of Shijiangdou, grind into powder, mix with 500g of flour, and steam into buns to eat.
Medicinal Parts
It is the dried whole herb of Lepisorus eilophyllus (Diels) Ching, a plant belonging to the family Polypodiaceae.
Selection & Storage
Store in a cool, dry place, protected from moisture and insects.
