Selaginellae Herba
Aliases：Wànsuì (literally "Ten‑Thousand‑Year" — an auspicious name indicating longevity), Chángshēng Bùsǐ Cǎo (recorded in Bencao Gangmu — Compendium of Materia Medica, literally "Immortal Herb"), Bàozú (recorded in Wu Pu Bencao — Wu Pu's Materia Medica, literally "Leopard's Foot" — named for its claw‑like shape), Qiúgǔ, Jiāoshí (both recorded in Mingyi Bielu — The Miscellaneous Records of Famous Physicians, names of ancient origin), Huánhún Cǎo (literally "Resurrection Herb" — alluding to its revival upon rehydration), Jiǔ Sǐ Huánhún Cǎo (literally "Nine‑Death Resurrection Herb" — a dramatic name for its extreme drought tolerance), Jiàn Shuǐ Huán Yáng Cǎo (literally "Water‑Reclaiming Yang Herb" — i.e., comes back to life upon contact with water), Wànnián Sōng (literally "Ten‑Thousand‑Year Pine" — suggesting evergreen vitality), Yībǎ Zhuā (literally "One‑Hand Grasp" — referring to its clustered growth form), Lǎohǔ Zhuǎ (literally "Tiger Claw" — referring to its curled, claw‑like shape), and Chángshēng Cǎo (literally "Longevity Herb" — another name indicating long life). (These are all alternative names for Juǎn Bǎi, i.e., the dried whole herb of Selaginella tamariscina or S. pulvinata / Tamariskoid Spikemoss.)
Juǎn Bǎi (Juan Bai) is a traditional Chinese medicinal material. It is the dried whole herb of Selaginella tamariscina (Beauv.) Spring or Selaginella pulvinata (Hook. et Grev.) Maxim., plants belonging to the family Selaginellaceae. Due to its remarkable drought tolerance and ability to "revive" upon rehydration, it is commonly known in folk medicine as "Nine‑Death Resurrection Herb" and "Resurrection Herb". It was first recorded in Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica).
Efficacy & Actions
Promotes blood circulation and unblocks the meridians.
Indications
Amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea, abdominal masses (Zhengjia and Pi accumulations), and traumatic injuries.
Modern Pharmacology
Anticoagulant effect: Juan Bai exhibits anticoagulant activity. Antitumor effect: Extracts of Juan Bai have inhibitory effects on various tumor cells, including B16‑F10 melanoma cells, HepG2 liver cancer cells, and A375 melanoma cells. Immunomodulatory effect: Exhibits immunomodulatory activity. Antioxidant effect: Total flavonoids of Juan Bai have antioxidant activity. Hypoglycemic and lipid‑lowering effects. Anti‑inflammatory effect: Herbs of the genus Selaginella exhibit anti‑inflammatory activity. Other effects: Also has antiviral, analgesic, antihypertensive, and immune‑enhancing effects.
Ingredients
Flavonoids (main active components): Apigenin Hinokiflavone Amentoflavone Amentoflavone (alternative name) Podocarpusflavone A Neocryptomerin Quercetin Luteolin Other components: Volatile oils, amino acids, trehalose, selaginellin C, chlorogenic acid, syringic acid, etc.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 4.5–10 g; or prepare as pills or powders. For topical application: apply an appropriate amount, mashed; or grind into powder and sprinkle on.
Contraindications
Use with caution during pregnancy. Contraindicated in patients without blood stasis. Children, breastfeeding women, and patients with chronic diseases are advised to use under the guidance of a TCM physician.
Selected Formulas
For amenorrhea with abdominal masses in women (Benjing Fengyuan, Juanbai Wan) Take 4 liang of Juanbai (Selaginella tamariscina), 2 liang of Danggui (Angelica sinensis, both soaked in wine and stir-fried), 2 liang each of Baizhu (Atractylodes macrocephala) and Mudanpi (Moutan cortex), 1 liang of Baishao (White peony root), and 5 qian of Chuanxiong (Ligusticum wallichii). Divide into 7 doses and decoct in water; or make into honey pills, take 4 qian each morning with plain boiled water. For lower intestinal bleeding (empirical formula) Take equal parts of Juanbai, Cebai (Platycladus orientalis leaves), and Zonglu (palm fiber), burn to charcoal while retaining properties, and grind into powder. Take 3 qian each time with wine; or make into rice pills and take. For traumatic injuries (empirical formula) Take 1 liang of fresh Juanbai (or 5 qian dried) once daily, decoct in water and drink. For metrorrhagia and leukorrhea (empirical formula) Take 5 qian of Juanbai, decoct in water and drink. For stomach pain (empirical formula) Take 2 liang of cushion-shaped Juanbai, decoct in water and drink. For asthma (empirical formula) Take 5 qian each of cushion-shaped Juanbai and Mabiancao (Verbena officinalis), decoct in water, and take with rock sugar as a guide. For burns and scalds (empirical formula) Take fresh Juanbai, crush and apply externally.
Medicinal Parts
It is the dried whole herb of Selaginella tamariscina (Beauv.) Spring or Selaginella pulvinata (Hook. et Grev.) Maxim., plants belonging to the family Selaginellaceae.
Selection & Storage
Store in a dry place.
