Herb Whole plant / Aerial parts (全草 quán cǎo)

Juan Bai

Spikemoss · 卷柏

Selaginella tamariscina (P.Beauv.) Spring · Herba Selaginellae

Also known as: Jiu Si Huan Hun Cao (九死还魂草, Resurrection Plant), Wan Nian Song (万年松)

Juan Bai (Spikemoss) plant

Images shown are for educational purposes only

Juan Bai, known as the "resurrection herb" for its remarkable ability to revive after drying out, is a traditional Chinese herb primarily used to improve blood circulation and address menstrual problems. In its raw form it helps move stagnant blood and is used for absent or painful periods and traumatic injuries. When charred, it transforms into a gentle bleeding-stopper used for various hemorrhages. It has been used in Chinese medicine since ancient times and is listed in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing.

Category Blood-invigorating and stasis-dispelling herbs (活血化瘀药) Blood-invigorating and menstruation-regulating herbs (活血调经药)
Therapeutic focus Menstrual Health Circulation Support Injury and Trauma Recovery Bleeding Disorders

TCM Properties

Temperature

Neutral

Taste

Acrid / Pungent (辛 xīn)

Channels entered

Liver, Heart

Parts used

Whole plant / Aerial parts (全草 quán cǎo)

Educational content • Consult qualified TCM practitioners for diagnosis and treatment

What This Herb Does

Every herb has a specific set of actions — here's what Juan Bai does in the body, explained in both everyday and TCM terms

Therapeutic focus

In practical terms, Juan Bai is primarily used to support these areas of health:

Menstrual Health Circulation Support Injury and Trauma Recovery Bleeding Disorders

TCM Actions

In TCM terminology, these are the specific therapeutic actions that Juan Bai performs to restore balance in the body:

Invigorates Blood and Regulates Menstruation Invigorates Blood and Dispels Stasis Reduces Swelling and Alleviates Pain Stops Bleeding

How these actions work

'Invigorates Blood and unblocks menstruation' is the primary action of raw Juan Bai. It means this herb helps get stagnant Blood moving again, particularly in the uterus and lower abdomen. When Blood flow becomes blocked or sluggish, it can lead to absent or painful periods, and the formation of abdominal masses. Juan Bai's acrid taste gives it the ability to move and disperse, while its affinity for the Liver channel (which governs the smooth flow of Blood) and Heart channel (which governs Blood) makes it well suited for these gynaecological conditions.

'Dispels Blood stasis' means that Juan Bai can break up accumulations of old, stagnant Blood. This is why it has traditionally been used for traumatic injuries with swelling and bruising, as well as for abdominal masses caused by long-standing Blood stasis. The Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing records its use for conditions it describes as symptoms of blood obstruction and abdominal masses.

'Stops bleeding when charred' refers to the processed form, Juan Bai Tan. When charred, the herb's properties shift from Blood-moving to Blood-stopping. This is a common principle in Chinese medicine where charring transforms an herb's action. The charred form is used for various types of bleeding including vomiting blood, blood in the stool, blood in the urine, and uterine bleeding. Importantly, even in its charred form, Juan Bai retains some ability to transform stasis, so it stops bleeding without trapping old Blood inside the body.

Patterns Addressed

In TCM, symptoms cluster into recognizable patterns of disharmony. Juan Bai is used to help correct these specific patterns.

Why Juan Bai addresses this pattern

Juan Bai is acrid in taste and enters the Liver and Heart channels, both of which are intimately involved in storing and governing Blood. When Blood stagnates in the uterus, it blocks the normal menstrual flow and can cause the formation of abdominal masses. Juan Bai's acrid, dispersing nature directly moves and breaks up this stagnant Blood, reopening the menstrual pathways. Its Blood-invigorating action addresses the core pathomechanism of this pattern: Blood that has stopped flowing and accumulated in the lower abdomen.

A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs

Amenorrhea

Absence of menstruation due to Blood stasis obstruction

Amenorrhea

Painful periods with dark, clotted menstrual blood

Abdominal Masses

Fixed abdominal masses in the lower abdomen

Commonly Used For

These are conditions where Juan Bai is frequently used — but only when they arise from the specific patterns it addresses, not in all cases

Arises from: Food Stagnation in the Stomach

TCM Interpretation

TCM understands amenorrhea (absence of menstruation) through several possible mechanisms, but when Juan Bai is indicated, the underlying cause is Blood stasis in the uterus. The Liver is responsible for ensuring the smooth flow of Qi and Blood, and the Chong (Penetrating) and Ren (Directing) vessels supply Blood to the uterus. When Blood becomes obstructed in these pathways, menstruation ceases. Over time, this stagnation may also give rise to abdominal masses and can affect fertility. The condition is often accompanied by signs of stasis such as a dark or purplish tongue, and fixed lower abdominal pain.

Why Juan Bai Helps

Juan Bai's acrid taste and its affinity for the Liver and Heart channels make it well suited for moving Blood that has become stuck in the uterus. Its Blood-invigorating and menstruation-unblocking actions directly address the stagnation that is preventing normal menstrual flow. By dispersing the accumulated Blood, it reopens the menstrual pathway. Classical recipes like the one recorded in the Ben Cao Hui Yan pair Juan Bai with Dang Gui and Chuan Xiong to strengthen this Blood-moving effect while simultaneously nourishing fresh Blood.

Also commonly used for

Bruising

From traumatic injury, raw form used topically or internally

Rectal Prolapse

With associated bleeding, charred form used

Skin Burns

Fresh herb applied topically as a poultice

Herb Properties

Every herb has an inherent temperature, taste, and affinity for specific channels — these properties determine how it interacts with the body

Temperature

Neutral

Taste

Acrid / Pungent (辛 xīn)

Channels Entered

Liver Heart

Parts Used

Whole plant / Aerial parts (全草 quán cǎo)

Dosage & Preparation

These are general dosage guidelines for Juan Bai — always follow your practitioner's recommendation, as dosages vary based on the formula and your individual condition

Standard dosage

5-10g

Maximum dosage

Up to 15g in decoction for severe Blood stasis conditions, under practitioner supervision. External use: appropriate amount as needed.

Dosage notes

The standard decoction dose is 5 to 10g. The form of preparation determines the clinical application: the raw (unprocessed) herb is used to invigorate Blood and unblock the channels, appropriate for menstrual obstruction, abdominal masses, and traumatic injury. The charred form (Juan Bai Tan) is used when the goal is to stop bleeding while also transforming stasis, appropriate for vomiting blood, bloody stool, uterine bleeding, and rectal prolapse. Lower doses (5g) are suitable when combined in multi-herb formulas; higher doses (up to 10g) may be used for stronger Blood-moving effect. The herb can also be taken as a pill or powder, or soaked in wine (alcohol tincture) for enhanced Blood-invigorating effect. For external use, fresh herb is mashed and applied as a poultice for burns and wounds, or dried herb is ground to powder and sprinkled on wound surfaces.

Preparation

No special decoction handling is required. Juan Bai is decocted normally with other herbs. The critical preparation distinction is between the raw form and the charred form (Juan Bai Tan). To prepare the charred form at home: stir-fry the cleaned herb over high heat until the exterior turns scorched black and the interior is toasted yellow, then sprinkle with clean water, remove, and dry.

Processing Methods

In TCM, the same herb can be prepared in different ways to change its effects — here's how processing alters what Juan Bai does

Processing method

The cleaned raw herb is placed in a wok and stir-fried over high heat until the exterior is charred black and the interior turns scorched yellow. A small amount of clean water is then sprinkled over it to quench the fire. The charred herb is removed and dried in the sun.

How it changes properties

Charring fundamentally reverses Juan Bai's primary action. Raw Juan Bai is neutral and primarily invigorates Blood and breaks stasis. The charred form (Juan Bai Tan) shifts to warm in temperature and its action changes to stopping bleeding while transforming stasis. The Ben Cao Bei Yao records: raw form is acrid and neutral (used for breaking Blood), while the prepared/charred form is acrid and warm (used for stopping bleeding). The charring process concentrates astringent and hemostatic properties while reducing the Blood-moving potency.

When to use this form

Use the charred form (Juan Bai Tan) when the clinical presentation involves bleeding rather than Blood stasis. Indicated for vomiting blood, blood in stool, blood in urine, nosebleeds, excessive uterine bleeding, and rectal prolapse with bleeding. Choose this form whenever the treatment goal is to stop hemorrhage, especially when some underlying stasis is suspected alongside the bleeding.

Common Herb Pairs

These ingredients are traditionally combined with Juan Bai for enhanced therapeutic effect

Dang Gui
Dang Gui Juan Bai 12g : Dang Gui 6g (approximately 2:1)

Juan Bai invigorates Blood and breaks stasis, while Dang Gui nourishes Blood and promotes circulation. Together they move stagnant Blood without depleting it, as Dang Gui replenishes what Juan Bai disperses. This pairing addresses Blood stasis conditions while protecting against Blood deficiency.

When to use: Blood stasis causing amenorrhea, painful periods, or infertility, especially when there are signs of both stasis (dark clots, fixed pain) and underlying Blood deficiency (pale complexion, dizziness).

Ce Bai Ye
Ce Bai Ye 1:1 (equal parts, typically charred)

When both herbs are charred, Juan Bai Tan and Ce Bai Ye Tan together create a powerful hemostatic pair. Ce Bai Ye cools Blood and stops bleeding from the upper body, while Juan Bai Tan stops bleeding while transforming stasis. Their combined effect covers a wide range of bleeding conditions.

When to use: Various types of bleeding including blood in the stool, vomiting blood, and nosebleeds. This classical pairing from the Ren Cun Fang is particularly used for intestinal bleeding.

Chi Shao
Chi Shao 1:1 (equal parts, typically 6-10g each)

Chi Shao clears Heat from the Blood and invigorates Blood circulation, while Juan Bai breaks through Blood stasis and unblocks the menstrual pathways. Together they address Blood stasis with Heat, providing both cooling and stasis-resolving actions.

When to use: Blood stasis with Heat signs such as painful periods with hot sensation, dark red menstrual blood, or Blood stasis masses accompanied by low-grade fever.

Yi Mu Cao
Yi Mu Cao Juan Bai 10g : Yi Mu Cao 15g

Yi Mu Cao is a premier herb for invigorating Blood and regulating menstruation. Paired with Juan Bai, the two herbs reinforce each other's Blood-moving and menstruation-regulating actions. Yi Mu Cao also promotes urination, helping to clear stasis through multiple pathways.

When to use: Amenorrhea or dysmenorrhea with prominent Blood stasis, postpartum Blood stasis with lochia retention, or abdominal masses.

Comparable Ingredients

These ingredients have overlapping uses — here's how to tell them apart

Ce Bai Ye
Juan Bai vs Ce Bai Ye

Both herbs can stop bleeding when charred and both are commonly used together. However, Ce Bai Ye (Platycladus leaf) is bitter and cold, primarily cooling Blood Heat to stop bleeding, whereas Juan Bai is acrid and neutral, primarily invigorating Blood in its raw form and stopping bleeding while transforming stasis in its charred form. Ce Bai Ye is better for bleeding caused by Blood Heat, while Juan Bai Tan is better when stasis complicates the bleeding picture. As the Ben Cao Qiu Zhen notes, their natures are quite different and should not be confused.

Yi Mu Cao
Juan Bai vs Yi Mu Cao

Both herbs invigorate Blood and regulate menstruation, making them useful for amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea from Blood stasis. Yi Mu Cao is slightly cold and has a broader scope, also promoting urination and reducing edema, making it more versatile for postpartum conditions. Juan Bai has the unique advantage of being available in a charred form that stops bleeding, giving it dual utility (raw to move Blood, charred to stop bleeding) that Yi Mu Cao does not share.

San Qi
Juan Bai vs San Qi

San Qi (Notoginseng) can both stop bleeding and invigorate Blood simultaneously without needing different processing forms, whereas Juan Bai requires charring to shift from Blood-moving to Blood-stopping. San Qi is sweet and warm, better for traumatic bleeding with stasis and pain, and is considerably more potent. Juan Bai is milder and more commonly chosen as part of formula combinations rather than as a primary standalone Blood-mover.

Common Substitutes & Adulterants

Related species and common adulterations to be aware of when sourcing Juan Bai

Juan Bai may be confused with Shi Shang Bai (石上柏, Selaginella doederleinii, also called 'Deep Green Selaginella'), which is a related species in the same family used primarily as an anticancer herb in TCM oncology practice. The two can be distinguished by morphology: S. tamariscina forms tight rosette-like tufts with branches that curl inward when dry, while S. doederleinii has a more elongated, creeping growth habit. Other Selaginella species such as S. pulvinata (the 'cushion spikemoss,' also officially listed as a source of Juan Bai in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia) have similar actions but may differ in potency. S. tamariscina can also be confused with S. lepidophylla (the 'Rose of Jericho'), a different species from the Americas, which has a similar resurrection habit but different chemical composition. DNA barcoding methods have been developed to precisely identify Selaginellaceae species and distinguish authentic material.

Educational content — always consult a qualified healthcare provider or TCM practitioner before using any herb.

Toxicity Classification

Classical Chinese pharmacopoeia toxicity rating for Juan Bai

Non-toxic

Juan Bai is classified as non-toxic in both classical sources (the Ming Yi Bie Lu states 'non-toxic') and the modern Chinese Pharmacopoeia. An animal toxicity study found that a single oral dose of 10,000 mg/kg of ethanol extract caused no lethality in mice, and sub-acute dosing at up to 3,000 mg/kg/day for 30 continuous days did not alter body weight or blood parameters. No special toxicity precautions are required at standard dosage. The primary safety concern is not toxicity but rather the herb's strong Blood-moving action in its raw form, which could exacerbate bleeding or endanger pregnancy.

Contraindications

Situations where Juan Bai should not be used or requires extra caution

Avoid

Pregnancy: Juan Bai has significant Blood-invigorating and Blood-moving properties that can stimulate uterine contractions and potentially cause miscarriage. Classical sources including the Ben Cao Jing Shu explicitly state that pregnant women must not use this herb.

Caution

Active bleeding without Blood stasis: The raw (unprocessed) form of Juan Bai vigorously moves and breaks up Blood. It should not be used in cases of bleeding that are not caused by Blood stasis, as it may worsen hemorrhage. As the Ben Cao Hui Yan cautions, if the condition is not due to Blood stasis accumulation, this herb should not be used lightly.

Caution

Excessive menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia) without stasis: Because raw Juan Bai strongly invigorates Blood, it should be avoided in cases of heavy menstrual flow that lack an underlying Blood stasis pattern, as it could increase bleeding.

Caution

Spleen and Stomach deficiency with weak digestion: Juan Bai may be difficult to tolerate in patients with significant digestive weakness. Use with caution and consider combining with Spleen-supporting herbs.

Special Populations

Important considerations for pregnancy, breastfeeding, and pediatric use

Pregnancy

Contraindicated in pregnancy. Juan Bai is a potent Blood-invigorating herb that vigorously moves Blood and breaks up stasis. The Ben Cao Jing Shu (本草经疏) explicitly states 'pregnant women are prohibited from using this.' Its Blood-moving properties carry a risk of stimulating uterine contractions and could potentially lead to miscarriage. This is especially true for the raw (unprocessed) form, which has the strongest Blood-breaking action. Even the charred form (Juan Bai Tan), while primarily used for stopping bleeding, should be used with extreme caution during pregnancy and only under the direct guidance of a qualified practitioner.

Breastfeeding

There is no specific classical or modern data addressing the safety of Juan Bai during breastfeeding. Given its Blood-invigorating nature and the general principle of caution with Blood-moving herbs during the postpartum period, it is advisable to use this herb during breastfeeding only when clearly indicated and under practitioner supervision. If there is postpartum Blood stasis causing pain or lochia retention, its use may be appropriate at low doses for short courses.

Children

No specific classical pediatric dosage guidance exists for Juan Bai. Due to its Blood-invigorating nature, it should be used cautiously in children and generally only for topical applications (such as powdered herb for wounds or burns). If internal use is considered in older children, the dosage should be reduced to approximately one-third to one-half of the adult dose, and only under practitioner supervision. This herb is not commonly used in pediatric practice.

Drug Interactions

If you are taking pharmaceutical medications, be aware of these potential interactions with Juan Bai

No well-documented pharmaceutical drug interactions have been established in clinical studies. However, based on the herb's known pharmacological properties, the following theoretical interactions warrant caution:

  • Anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications (warfarin, heparin, aspirin, clopidogrel): The raw form of Juan Bai vigorously invigorates Blood and could theoretically potentiate the effects of blood-thinning medications, increasing bleeding risk.
  • Chemotherapy agents: Preclinical studies suggest that amentoflavone (the herb's major biflavonoid) may inhibit AKR1B10, a detoxification enzyme involved in drug resistance, and has shown synergistic effects with doxorubicin in animal models. While this is potentially beneficial, it also means the herb could alter the metabolism or efficacy of certain chemotherapy drugs, and concurrent use should only occur under medical supervision.

Dietary Advice

Foods and dietary considerations when taking Juan Bai

When taking Juan Bai in its raw (Blood-invigorating) form, avoid excessively cold and raw foods that could impede Blood circulation. When using the charred form for bleeding conditions, avoid spicy, hot, and irritating foods as well as alcohol, which could aggravate bleeding. In both cases, a balanced, warm, and easily digestible diet supports the herb's therapeutic action.

Botanical Description

Physical characteristics and morphology of the Juan Bai source plant

Selaginella tamariscina (P.Beauv.) Spring is not a true fern but a lycophyte (spikemoss), belonging to the family Selaginellaceae. It is a small, evergreen perennial that typically grows 5 to 15 cm tall, forming dense cushion-like tufts on rocks or in soil. The short main stem is erect with clustered branches that spread in a fan-like pattern with two to three levels of feather-like (pinnate) branching.

The leaves are tiny (1 to 3 mm), scale-like, and arranged in four distinct rows. The side leaves are lance-shaped with a keel at the base and a long bristle-like tip; the central leaves are egg-shaped to lance-shaped. Spore-producing structures (strobili) appear as four-angled cones at the branch tips. The plant is remarkably drought-resistant: in dry conditions, the fronds curl inward tightly into a brown, fist-like ball, and upon rehydration, they unfurl and return to green within hours. This "resurrection" ability is the source of many of its folk names, such as "Nine-Deaths Revival Grass" (jiǔ sǐ huán hún cǎo). It grows on exposed rocks, cliff faces, and in rock crevices, especially on limestone, at elevations from 100 to 2000 metres across East and Southeast Asia.

Sourcing & Harvesting

Where Juan Bai is sourced, when it's harvested or collected, and how to assess quality

Harvesting season

Can be harvested year-round, but spring harvest is preferred as the herb is greener and more tender at that time.

Primary growing regions

Widely distributed across most of China, growing wild on rocks and cliff faces. The primary commercial producing regions are Shandong, Liaoning, and Hebei provinces in northern China. It also grows in Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian, Taiwan, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Hunan, Shaanxi, Jilin, and Heilongjiang. Outside China it is found in Korea, Japan, India, the Philippines, parts of Southeast Asia, and Siberia. Juan Bai is not strongly associated with a single 'dao di' terroir region, as it grows abundantly on rocky terrain throughout much of China, though the northern provinces are considered the traditional source of high-quality commercial supply.

Quality indicators

Good quality Juan Bai should appear as tightly curled, fist-like bundles when dry, approximately 3 to 10 cm long. The branches should be densely tufted, flattened, and covered with overlapping scale-like leaves. When the herb is of good quality, the leaves are green to greenish-yellow in colour (indicating spring harvest) rather than dull brown or blackened. The leaf tips should have visible long bristle-like points (awns). The base should show brownish to dark brown fibrous roots. The texture should be crisp and the stems snap cleanly when broken. The smell should be faint and mild, and the taste bland. Avoid material that is heavily discoloured, has excessive root debris, or shows signs of mould. For the charred form (Juan Bai Tan), the exterior should be scorched black while the interior remains a toasted yellow colour.

Classical Texts

Key passages from the classical Chinese medical texts that describe Juan Bai and its therapeutic uses

Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (《神农本草经》, Divine Farmer's Classic of Materia Medica)

Original: 主五脏邪气，女子阴中寒热痛，症瘕，血闭，绝子。久服轻身，和颜色。一名万岁。生山谷石间。

Translation: "It governs pathogenic Qi of the five organs, women's vaginal pain from cold and heat, abdominal masses, Blood obstruction, and infertility. Long-term use lightens the body and harmonizes the complexion. Also called 'Ten Thousand Years.' Grows among rocks in mountain valleys."

Ming Yi Bie Lu (《名医别录》, Supplementary Records of Famous Physicians)

Original: 甘，平微寒，无毒。止咳逆，治脱肛，散淋结，头中风眩，痿蹶，强阴益精。

Translation: "Sweet, neutral tending slightly cold, non-toxic. Stops rebellious coughing, treats rectal prolapse, disperses urinary obstruction and nodules, dizziness from head wind, weakness and limpness of the legs, and strengthens Yin and augments Essence."

Ben Cao Qiu Zhen (《本草求真》, Seeking the True Nature of the Materia Medica)

Original: 卷柏，其治有分生熟。生则微寒，力能破血通经，故治症瘕淋结等症；炙则辛温，能以止血，故治肠红脱肛等症。性与侧柏叶悬殊，治亦稍异，不可不辨。

Translation: "Juan Bai's therapeutic action differs between raw and processed forms. Raw, it is slightly cold and powerfully breaks Blood and opens the channels, thus treating abdominal masses and urinary obstruction. Charred, it is acrid and warm, able to stop bleeding, thus treating intestinal bleeding and rectal prolapse. Its nature is markedly different from Ce Bai Ye (Arborvitae leaf), and their treatments also differ somewhat. One must not fail to distinguish them."

Ri Hua Zi Ben Cao (《日华子本草》)

Original: 镇心，除面皯，头风，暖水脏。生用破血，炙用止血。

Translation: "Calms the Heart, removes facial blemishes, treats head wind, and warms the Water organ (Kidneys). Used raw it breaks Blood; charred it stops bleeding."

Historical Context

The history and evolution of Juan Bai's use in Chinese medicine over the centuries

Juan Bai has one of the longest documented histories in Chinese materia medica. It was listed as an upper-grade (shàng pǐn) herb in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing, the earliest Chinese pharmacopoeia compiled during the Han dynasty. The Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing classified it under the alternative name Wàn Suì (万岁, "Ten Thousand Years"), reflecting the ancient belief that the plant bestowed longevity. The Wu Pu Ben Cao recorded additional names including Bào Zú (豹足, "Leopard's Foot") and Qiú Gǔ (求股).

The plant's most remarkable feature is its "resurrection" ability. When dried, it curls into a tight brown fist, appearing completely dead. Upon contact with water, it unfurls and turns green again within hours. This dramatic revival gave rise to an extraordinary collection of folk names: Huán Hún Cǎo (还魂草, "Soul-Returning Grass"), Jiǔ Sǐ Huán Hún Cǎo (九死还魂草, "Nine-Deaths Revival Grass"), Cháng Shēng Bù Sǐ Cǎo (长生不死草, "Immortality Grass"), and Huí Yáng Cǎo (回阳草, "Yang-Restoring Grass"). Li Shizhen recorded it as Cháng Shēng Bù Sǐ Cǎo in the Ben Cao Gang Mu. A folk legend from the Kunlun Mountains tells of a dragon princess who stole a miraculous herb from the Queen Mother of the West's heavenly pool to save plague-stricken mortals, and was transformed into this plant as punishment.

A key insight that developed over centuries was the distinction between the raw and charred forms. The Ri Hua Zi Ben Cao clearly articulated: "Used raw it breaks Blood; charred it stops bleeding." This dual-use principle became foundational to Juan Bai's clinical application and was further elaborated in the Ben Cao Qiu Zhen, which carefully differentiated its actions from the superficially similar Ce Bai Ye (Platycladus orientalis leaf). In modern times, the herb has attracted significant pharmacological interest, particularly for its rich content of biflavonoids such as amentoflavone, which show anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties in laboratory studies.

Modern Research

5 published studies investigating the pharmacological effects or clinical outcomes of Juan Bai

1

Comprehensive review: Traditional and modern uses of Selaginella tamariscina in medicine and cosmetics (Review, 2021)

Bailly C. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2021;280:114444.

This comprehensive review analyzed the traditional and modern pharmacological uses of S. tamariscina extracts. It found robust experimental data supporting the use of the plant for type 2 diabetes, inflammatory diseases, and cancer (in combination with chemotherapy). The carbonized form showed hemostatic effects while standard extracts promoted blood circulation. The key bioactive compounds identified were biflavonoids (especially amentoflavone) and selaginellin derivatives.

DOI
2

Toxicity and anticancer effects of Selaginella tamariscina extract in mice (Preclinical, 2012)

Le MH, Do TT, Hoang TH, Chau VM, Nguyen TD. Natural Product Research. 2012;26(12):1130-1134.

This study evaluated the safety and anticancer effects of the ethanol extract in mice. A single oral dose of 10,000 mg/kg caused no deaths. Sub-acute dosing up to 3,000 mg/kg/day for 30 days did not alter body weight or blood markers, confirming very low toxicity. In mice implanted with Lewis lung carcinoma cells, oral administration provided strong inhibition of tumor growth, though it did not prevent initial tumor formation.

DOI
3

Amentoflavone inhibits TGF-beta-induced metastasis of human cancer cells in vitro and in vivo (Preclinical, 2020)

Kim GL, Jang EH, Lee DE, et al. Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics. 2020;687:108384.

Researchers tested the anti-metastatic effects of S. tamariscina extract and its key compound amentoflavone. Both inhibited epithelial-mesenchymal transition (a key step in cancer spread) in human cancer cell lines at non-toxic concentrations, suppressing cell migration and invasion. In mice injected with lung cancer cells, amentoflavone treatment reduced formation of metastatic lung nodules.

PubMed
4

Advances in the Anti-Tumor Activity of Biflavonoids in Selaginella (Review, 2023)

Ren M, Li S, Gao Q, et al. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2023;24(9):7731.

This review analyzed the anticancer properties of biflavonoid compounds found in Selaginella species. Amentoflavone and related biflavonoids were found to exert anticancer activity through multiple signaling pathways including ERK, NF-kB, and PI3K/Akt. These compounds showed effects against multiple cancer types in preclinical models, though clinical human trials are still lacking.

DOI
5

Inhibitory effects of Selaginella tamariscina on immediate allergic reactions (Preclinical, 2005)

Dai Y, But PP, Chu LM, Chan YP. American Journal of Chinese Medicine. 2005;33(6):957-966.

A 70% ethanol extract of S. tamariscina was tested for anti-allergic effects. At doses of 500 and 1000 mg/kg, it inhibited systemic anaphylactic shock in mice. It also blocked passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reactions and reduced histamine release from mast cells, elevated intracellular cAMP levels, and stabilized mast cell membranes, suggesting potential for treating allergic conditions.

DOI

Research on individual TCM herbs is growing but still limited by Western clinical trial standards. These studies provide emerging evidence and should be considered alongside practitioner expertise.