Selaginellae Doederleinii Herba
Aliases：Dà Yè Cài (Large-leaf Herb); Suō Luó Cǎo (Saurauia Grass); Dì Suō Luó (Ground Saurauia); Jīn Lóng Cǎo (Golden Dragon Herb); Lóng Lín Cǎo (Dragon Scale Herb); Dì Cè Bǎi (Ground Platycladus); Xiā Má Yè (Shrimp-hemp Leaf); Guō Bā Cǎo (Rice Crust Herb); Yán Qīng (Rock Green); Yán Biǎn Bǎi (Rock Platycladus); Guò Lù Wú Gōng (Passing Centipede); Dà Fēng Wěi Cǎo (Big Phoenix Tail Herb); Dì Bǎi Cǎo (Ground Cypress Herb).
Shí Shàng Bǎi (Selaginella Herb) is a Chinese medicinal herb. It is the whole plant of Selaginella doederleinii Hieron., a plant of the Selaginellaceae family. This herb is commonly used in traditional medicine by various ethnic groups in southern China. It is often curled and tangled, measuring 15–40 cm in length, with a green or yellowish-green surface and a relatively soft texture. Traditionally, it has been used to treat heat-toxin carbuncles and swellings, while modern research has revealed its potential in the adjunctive treatment of tumors.
Efficacy & Actions
Clears heat and detoxifies; dispels wind and eliminates dampness; reduces swelling and disperses nodules; stops bleeding.
Indications
Used for sore throat, red and swollen eyes, lung-heat cough, mastitis (acute mastitis/breast abscess), damp-heat jaundice, rheumatic arthralgia, and traumatic bleeding. It is also used for abdominal masses and accumulations, pneumonia, acute tonsillitis, conjunctivitis, and other conditions. In modern clinical practice, it is also commonly used as an adjunctive treatment for cancers (such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma, lung cancer, liver cancer, laryngeal cancer, and cancers of the digestive tract, among others).
Modern Pharmacology
Antitumor: Main active components are biflavonoids. Ethyl acetate fraction inhibits HeLa (IC₅₀=0.12 mg/mL) and HepG2 (IC₅₀=0.60 mg/mL) cells in vitro; in vivo tumor inhibition rate in S180-bearing mice is 43%. Amentoflavone, hinokiflavone, and ginkgetin show in vitro antitumor activity. Antioxidant: Biflavonoids and phenolic acids (shikimic acid, syringic acid, caffeic acid, etc.) exhibit in vitro antioxidant activity. Immune enhancement: Enhances immunity and adrenocortical function. Anti-inflammatory: Exhibits anti-inflammatory activity. Antibacterial: Possesses antibacterial effects. Hepatoprotective: Exhibits hepatoprotective effects.
Ingredients
Biflavonoids: Amentoflavone, hinokiflavone, robustaflavone, ginkgetin, 7,4′,7″,4″′-tetra-O-methyl-amentoflavone, etc. Biflavonoids are the main anticancer active components of Shishangbai. Alkaloids: Hordenine-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside, N-methyltyramine-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside, etc. Phenolic Acids: Shikimic acid, syringic acid, caffeic acid, etc. Other Components: Phytosterols, saponins, etc.
Usage & Dosage
Oral Administration: Decoction, the standard dosage is 10–30g; double the amount for fresh material (up to 60g). It requires prolonged decoction, with a cooking time of at least 2 hours. Topical Application: Appropriate amount, ground into powder and mixed for external application, or fresh herb mashed for application.
Contraindications
Use with caution or contraindicated during pregnancy. Use with caution in patients with spleen-stomach deficiency-cold. Use with caution in patients with loose stools or diarrhea due to spleen deficiency. Should not be used in large amounts.
Selected Formulas
For pneumonia, acute tonsillitis, and conjunctivitis (National Compilation of Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take 30g of Shishangbai (Selaginella doederleinii) and 30g of lean pork. Decoct in water and drink.
Daily Consumption
Shishangbai Lean Pork Soup: Take 30g of Shishangbai (Selaginella doederleinii Herb) and 30g of lean pork. Decoct them together in water and take the liquid orally. It is suitable as an adjunctive treatment for pneumonia, acute tonsillitis, and conjunctivitis.
Medicinal Parts
Dried whole plant.
Selection & Storage
Store in a well-ventilated, dry place.
