Herb Whole plant / Aerial parts (全草 quán cǎo)

Shi Shang Bai

Selaginella Herb · 石上柏

Selaginella doederleinii Hieron. · Herba Selaginellae Doederleinii

Also known as: Shen Lü Juan Bai (深绿卷柏)

Shi Shang Bai (Selaginella Herb) plant

Images shown are for educational purposes only

Shi Shang Bai is a cooling herb from the spikemoss family, widely used in Chinese folk medicine for its heat-clearing and toxin-resolving properties. It is especially recognized in clinical practice as a supportive herb for various cancers, particularly nasopharyngeal and throat cancers. It is also used for sore throat, red swollen eyes, lung-heat cough, jaundice, and traumatic bleeding.

Category Herbs that clear Heat and resolve Toxicity (清热解毒药) Anti-cancer herbs
Therapeutic focus Cancer Support Throat Health Joint and rheumatic health Liver and Gallbladder Health

TCM Properties

Temperature

Cool

Taste

Sweet (甘 gān), Bitter (苦 kǔ), Astringent (涩 sè)

Channels entered

Lungs, Liver, Stomach

Parts used

Whole plant / Aerial parts (全草 quán cǎo)

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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 Shi Shang Bai does in the body, explained in both everyday and TCM terms

Therapeutic focus

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

Cancer Support Throat Health Joint and rheumatic health Liver and Gallbladder Health

TCM Actions

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

Clears Heat and Resolves Toxicity Inhibits cancer Stops Bleeding Dispels Wind-Dampness Promotes Urination and Drains Damp-Heat

How these actions work

'Clears Heat and resolves toxicity' means Shi Shang Bai helps the body deal with conditions driven by intense internal Heat combined with toxic accumulation. In practice, this applies to sore throat, acute tonsillitis, red swollen eyes (conjunctivitis), Lung-heat cough, pneumonia, and breast abscess (mastitis). Its cool nature and slightly bitter taste work together to reduce inflammation and purge Heat-toxins from the Lung and Liver channels.

'Inhibits cancer' refers to this herb's recognized role in Chinese folk medicine and modern clinical practice as a supportive treatment for various malignant tumors, including nasopharyngeal cancer, throat cancer, lung cancer, and digestive tract cancers. It has been formulated into tablets (Shi Shang Bai Pian) specifically for anti-cancer applications. Modern pharmacological research has confirmed its biflavonoid compounds (such as amentoflavone) have cytotoxic effects against cancer cell lines and can induce cancer cell apoptosis.

'Stops bleeding' means Shi Shang Bai can be applied externally as a powder on wounds to control bleeding and promote healing. This action is most relevant for traumatic external bleeding.

'Expels Wind-Dampness' means this herb can help relieve joint pain, stiffness, and swelling caused by Wind-Dampness obstructing the channels, as seen in rheumatic or arthritic conditions.

'Promotes urination and drains Damp-Heat' refers to its ability to help resolve conditions where Dampness and Heat combine, such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes from Damp-Heat in the Liver and Gallbladder) and painful urination from Heat in the Bladder.

Patterns Addressed

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

Why Shi Shang Bai addresses this pattern

Shi Shang Bai's cool nature and bitter-sweet taste give it a strong capacity to clear Heat and resolve toxicity. When Toxic Heat accumulates in the body, it can manifest as severe sore throat, swollen tonsils, red swollen eyes, or breast abscess. This herb enters the Lung and Liver channels, targeting the upper body regions most affected by rising Toxic Heat. Its cooling action directly counteracts the Heat, while its toxin-resolving function helps the body process and expel pathogenic fire-toxins.

A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs

Sore Throat

Severe sore throat with swelling and heat

Red Eyes

Red, swollen, painful eyes

Hypochondrial Pain That Is Worse On Coughing And Breathing

Cough from Lung Heat with yellow phlegm

Fever

Fever with signs of inflammation

Commonly Used For

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

Arises from: Toxic-Heat

TCM Interpretation

In TCM, cancer is understood as a complex condition involving the accumulation of Heat-toxins (热毒), Blood stasis, and Phlegm that congeal into masses and tumors. The underlying driver often includes a deficiency of the body's righteous Qi (正气), allowing pathogenic factors to take root. The classical understanding holds that Heat-toxins are one of the primary causes of cancer, producing localized inflammation, lumps, and tissue destruction. The Lung, Liver, and Stomach are organs frequently affected when Heat-toxins accumulate in the upper and middle body.

Why Shi Shang Bai Helps

Shi Shang Bai's primary strength is its potent ability to clear Heat and resolve toxicity, directly targeting the Heat-toxin accumulation that TCM considers central to tumor formation. Its cool nature counteracts the internal Heat that fuels tumor growth, while its affinity for the Lung and Liver channels makes it particularly relevant for cancers in these systems (nasopharyngeal, throat, lung, and liver cancers). Modern pharmacological research has confirmed that its biflavonoid compounds, including amentoflavone and robustaflavone, can induce cancer cell apoptosis and inhibit tumor growth without obvious toxicity to normal cells. It is often combined with other Heat-clearing and toxin-resolving herbs to strengthen the overall anti-cancer effect.

Also commonly used for

Red Eyes

Conjunctivitis and red swollen eyes

Hypochondrial Pain That Is Worse On Coughing And Breathing

Lung-heat cough, pneumonia

Jaundice

Damp-Heat jaundice

Moving Pain

Rheumatic joint pain

Mastitis

Acute mastitis and breast abscess

Bleeding

External traumatic bleeding

Herb Properties

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

Temperature

Cool

Taste

Sweet (甘 gān), Bitter (苦 kǔ), Astringent (涩 sè)

Channels Entered

Lungs Liver Stomach

Parts Used

Whole plant / Aerial parts (全草 quán cǎo)

Dosage & Preparation

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

Standard dosage

10-30g (dried herb in decoction); fresh herb double the amount (20-60g)

Maximum dosage

Up to 60g (dried herb) has been used in cancer treatment protocols, but only under close practitioner supervision. Prolonged high-dose use increases risk of bone marrow suppression and other adverse effects.

Dosage notes

Standard decoction dose is 15-30g of dried herb. For cancer-related applications, doses up to 60g have been used in folk and clinical practice, often decocted with lean pork for 3 hours to moderate the herb's cooling nature. When used for inflammatory conditions (sore throat, conjunctivitis, pneumonia), 30g is a common dose. Excessive dosage or prolonged treatment courses may cause appetite loss, dizziness, skin rash, or hair loss. Combining with Spleen-strengthening herbs (such as Bai Zhu or Fu Ling) is recommended to offset gastrointestinal side effects during long-term use.

Preparation

No special decoction handling is required. The dried whole herb is decocted normally. For cancer applications, some traditional protocols recommend decocting with lean pork for an extended period (up to 3 hours) to moderate the cooling nature of the herb. Can also be used fresh, pounded and applied topically for external bleeding or sores. Shi Shang Bai has also been prepared as tablets (Shi Shang Bai Pian / Zhi Ai Pian) by concentrating a water decoction with ethanol precipitation.

Processing Methods

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

Processing method

The dried whole herb is stir-fried in a dry pan until the exterior is charred (darkened/browned) but the interior retains some integrity. It should not be burned to full ash.

How it changes properties

Charring shifts the herb's primary action from clearing Heat and resolving toxicity toward stopping bleeding through astringency. The cool nature is moderated. The charred form gains a stronger hemostatic (止血) action through the classical principle that charring enhances astringent blood-stopping properties.

When to use this form

Use the charred form when the primary goal is to stop bleeding, such as in nosebleeds, blood in stool or urine, or uterine bleeding. Choose the raw form for Heat-clearing, anti-cancer, or anti-inflammatory applications.

Common Herb Pairs

These ingredients are traditionally combined with Shi Shang Bai for enhanced therapeutic effect

Bai Hua She She Cao
Bai Hua She She Cao 1:1 (Shi Shang Bai 30g : Bai Hua She She Cao 30g)

Both herbs clear Heat and resolve toxicity with recognized anti-cancer properties. Together they create a powerful toxin-clearing combination that targets tumor-related Heat-toxin accumulation from multiple angles. Shi Shang Bai contributes its strong Lung and Liver channel affinity, while Bai Hua She She Cao adds Stomach and Large Intestine channel coverage, broadening the range of cancers addressed.

When to use: Used in cancer support formulas, particularly for nasopharyngeal cancer, throat cancer, lung cancer, and digestive tract tumors. Also useful for severe infections with Heat-toxin signs.

Ban Zhi Lian
Ban Zhi Lian 1:1 (Shi Shang Bai 30g : Ban Zhi Lian 30g)

Ban Zhi Lian (Scutellaria barbata) and Shi Shang Bai both clear Heat-toxins and have demonstrated anti-tumor activity. The combination strengthens the overall anti-cancer effect, with Ban Zhi Lian adding blood-invigorating action that helps break up the Blood stasis component often associated with tumor formation.

When to use: Used in anti-cancer formulas where both Heat-toxin accumulation and Blood stasis are present. Commonly seen in support protocols for digestive tract cancers and nasopharyngeal cancers.

Pu Gong Ying
Pu Gong Ying 2:1 (Shi Shang Bai 30g : Pu Gong Ying 15g)

Pu Gong Ying (Dandelion) is a well-known Heat-clearing and toxin-resolving herb that excels at treating swellings and abscesses, especially of the breast. Combined with Shi Shang Bai, the pair delivers a focused anti-inflammatory and toxin-clearing effect for Hot, swollen conditions in the upper body.

When to use: Used for acute mastitis (breast abscess), red swollen eyes, and severe sore throat where Heat-toxin is prominent.

Comparable Ingredients

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

Ban Zhi Lian
Shi Shang Bai vs Ban Zhi Lian

Both Shi Shang Bai and Ban Zhi Lian (Scutellaria barbata) clear Heat-toxins and are widely used as anti-cancer support herbs. Ban Zhi Lian is slightly more oriented toward invigorating Blood and resolving stasis alongside its Heat-clearing action, making it better for tumors with a prominent Blood stasis component. Shi Shang Bai has a stronger reputation specifically for nasopharyngeal and throat cancers, and also addresses Wind-Dampness in joints, which Ban Zhi Lian does not.

Bai Hua She She Cao
Shi Shang Bai vs Bai Hua She She Cao

Both are cool-natured, Heat-clearing, toxin-resolving herbs used in anti-cancer applications. Bai Hua She She Cao (Hedyotis/Oldenlandia) has a broader modern reputation and more extensive clinical research backing its use across many cancer types. Shi Shang Bai has a more specific clinical focus on nasopharyngeal and throat cancers and additionally treats Wind-Dampness joint pain and Damp-Heat jaundice, giving it a broader scope of non-cancer applications.

Shan Ci Gu
Shi Shang Bai vs Shan Ci Gu

Both herbs clear Heat-toxins and are used in cancer treatment. Shan Ci Gu (Pseudobulbus Cremastrae) is more specifically focused on resolving masses, lumps, and swellings (sores, scrofula, tumors) through its ability to transform Phlegm and dissipate nodules. Shi Shang Bai has a broader range of actions including treating Wind-Dampness and Damp-Heat conditions, and has more specific evidence for nasopharyngeal cancer.

Common Substitutes & Adulterants

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

Shi Shang Bai (深绿卷柏, Selaginella doederleinii) is sometimes confused with the related but distinct herb Juan Bai (卷柏, Selaginella tamariscina), which is a different species with different classical indications (primarily blood-activating and haemostatic). Juan Bai curls tightly into a ball when dried (the famous 'resurrection plant'), while Shi Shang Bai does not exhibit this behaviour and has a more elongated, branching form with distinctly larger, deeper green leaves. Another species, Selaginella delicatula (薄叶卷柏), is noted in some sources as a substitute used alongside S. doederleinii. The newly described species Selaginella guihaia (桂海卷柏) from southern China closely resembles S. doederleinii morphologically and could potentially be mixed in wild-harvested material. Authentication should rely on leaf morphology: S. doederleinii has smooth medial leaves with a clearly keeled (ridged) back, while look-alikes may differ in leaf margin texture, white leaf borders, or surface roughness.

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

Toxicity Classification

Classical Chinese pharmacopoeia toxicity rating for Shi Shang Bai

Slightly toxic

At standard doses, Shi Shang Bai is generally well tolerated. However, excessive dosage or prolonged use has been associated with side effects including appetite reduction, dizziness, skin rash, and hair loss. A published case report (Pan et al., 2001) documented severe but reversible bone marrow suppression in a patient with cholangiocarcinoma who took Selaginella doederleinii as an alternative anticancer treatment. The active biflavonoids (especially amentoflavone and delicaflavone) have demonstrated cytotoxic activity, which underpins both the anticancer potential and the risk of toxicity at high or prolonged dosage. Combining with Spleen-strengthening herbs can mitigate the gastrointestinal side effects. In vitro studies show that the ethyl acetate extract can inhibit several human CYP450 enzyme isoforms, suggesting potential for herb-drug interactions when used alongside pharmaceutical medications.

Contraindications

Situations where Shi Shang Bai should not be used or requires extra caution

Avoid

Pregnancy. Shi Shang Bai has blood-moving (activating) properties that could stimulate uterine activity and potentially harm the fetus.

Caution

Spleen and Stomach deficiency with cold. This herb is cool in nature and may worsen digestive weakness, loose stools, or poor appetite in people with underlying Spleen-Stomach cold deficiency.

Caution

Prolonged high-dose use without supervision. Extended use at high doses has been associated with appetite reduction, dizziness, skin rash, and hair loss. A case report documented severe reversible bone marrow suppression in a patient using it as an alternative anticancer treatment.

Caution

Concurrent use with cytotoxic chemotherapy without practitioner guidance, due to potential additive bone marrow suppressive effects and CYP450 enzyme interactions.

Special Populations

Important considerations for pregnancy, breastfeeding, and pediatric use

Pregnancy

Contraindicated during pregnancy. Shi Shang Bai has blood-activating (huo xue) properties and contains bioactive biflavonoids with cytotoxic activity. These actions pose a risk of uterine stimulation and potential harm to fetal development. The herb should be strictly avoided throughout pregnancy.

Breastfeeding

Insufficient safety data is available for use during breastfeeding. Given the herb's cytotoxic biflavonoid content and the documented potential for bone marrow suppression at high doses, it is prudent to avoid use during breastfeeding unless specifically prescribed by a qualified practitioner. There is no established data on whether active compounds transfer into breast milk.

Children

No specific pediatric dosage guidelines are established for Shi Shang Bai. Given the herb's cytotoxic biflavonoid content and the documented case of bone marrow suppression in adults, use in children should be approached with great caution and only under the direction of a qualified practitioner. If used, dosage should be significantly reduced from the adult range, proportional to body weight and age.

Drug Interactions

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

In vitro research has demonstrated that the ethyl acetate extract of S. doederleinii and several of its key active compounds (amentoflavone, palmatine, apigenin, delicaflavone) can inhibit multiple human CYP450 enzyme isoforms. This suggests a potential for clinically significant herb-drug interactions when Shi Shang Bai is taken alongside pharmaceutical drugs that are metabolised by these enzymes, including many common medications.

Of particular concern is concurrent use with cytotoxic chemotherapy drugs, where additive bone marrow suppression is theoretically possible. A case of severe reversible bone marrow suppression has been documented in a cancer patient taking this herb. Patients on anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications should also exercise caution, as the herb has blood-activating properties that could theoretically enhance bleeding risk.

Dietary Advice

Foods and dietary considerations when taking Shi Shang Bai

When taking Shi Shang Bai, avoid excessively cold and raw foods, as the herb is already cool in nature and further cold foods may burden the Spleen and Stomach, leading to digestive discomfort. Lean protein (such as pork) can be added to decoctions to help moderate the herb's cooling property and support the body during treatment. Avoid alcohol during use, particularly if the herb is being taken for cancer support or inflammatory conditions.

Botanical Description

Physical characteristics and morphology of the Shi Shang Bai source plant

Selaginella doederleinii Hieron. (deep green spikemoss) is a perennial fern-ally belonging to the Selaginellaceae family, growing 25–45 cm tall. It has a creeping lower stem that is slightly flattened, with fine adventitious roots arising from branch axils. The upper portions branch freely, producing dimorphic (two-shaped) leaves arranged in four rows along the stem: the lateral (dorsal) leaves are ovate-oblong, about 4–5 mm long and 2 mm wide, with slightly toothed inner margins; the medial (ventral) leaves are smaller, ovate-oblong with pointed tips and fine-toothed margins. The foliage is deep green on top and pale greyish-green underneath, papery in texture, with a prominent midrib. Spore-bearing structures (strobili) are compact, four-angled, and produce white megaspores and orange-yellow microspores.

The plant thrives in warm, humid, semi-shaded habitats in tropical and subtropical mountain valleys, typically growing on moist forest floors, along stream banks, or on rocks at elevations of 200–1000 m, within evergreen broadleaf forests. It prefers loose, fertile, humus-rich soils and does not tolerate cold or direct sunlight. The entire above-ground plant (whole herb) is used medicinally.

Sourcing & Harvesting

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

Harvesting season

Can be harvested year-round (四季可采). The whole herb is collected, washed, and either used fresh or dried in the sun.

Primary growing regions

Widely distributed across southern and southwestern China, including Guangxi, Guizhou, Guangdong, Yunnan, Fujian, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hunan, Sichuan, Chongqing, Anhui, Taiwan, and Hainan provinces. Guangxi province (especially the Nanning and Hechi areas) is a major sourcing region and frequently cited collection site for research-grade material. Also found outside China in Japan, India, Vietnam, Thailand, and parts of Malaysia. There is no single dominant dao di (terroir) region; quality is broadly associated with warm, humid southern montane forests.

Quality indicators

Good quality Shi Shang Bai should be whole and intact, 20-30 cm in length, with a deep green upper surface and pale greyish-green underside. The fronds (leaf branches) should be thin but flexible, not brittle or easily crumbled. The leaves should be clearly dimorphic (two shapes visible: larger lateral leaves and smaller medial leaves) with a prominent midrib. The herb should have no noticeable odour and a bland, slightly sweet to slightly bitter taste. Avoid specimens that are yellowed, blackened, broken into fragments, or heavily contaminated with soil and root debris. Fresh material should appear vibrant deep green; dried material retains a muted green colour.

Classical Texts

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

《本草从新》(Ben Cao Cong Xin)

Chinese: 治癥瘕，淋结。

English: "Treats abdominal masses (zheng jia) and urinary concretions (lin jie)."

《植物名实图考》(Zhi Wu Ming Shi Tu Kao) — Qing Dynasty

Chinese: 翠云草生山石间，绿茎小叶，青翠可爱。

English: "Cui Yun Cao grows among mountain rocks, with green stems and small leaves, verdant and lovely." (This passage, recorded under the name Cui Yun Cao, describes the plant's habitat and appearance, classifying it among the 'dry-wet grasses.')

Historical Context

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

Shi Shang Bai (石上柏, literally "cypress on stone") takes its name from its growth habit: a cypress-like fern-ally that often grows on rocks and boulders in forest streams. Its numerous folk names reflect wide regional use across southern China, including Da Ye Cai (大叶菜), Suo Luo Cao (梭罗草), Jin Long Cao (金龙草), Long Lin Cao (龙鳞草, "dragon-scale grass"), and Guo Lu Wu Gong (过路蜈蚣, "road-crossing centipede"). The Qing Dynasty text Zhi Wu Ming Shi Tu Kao (植物名实图考) by Wu Qijun classified it among dry-wet grasses, describing its attractive green foliage growing among rocks.

The herb gained significant modern prominence in the 1970s when hospitals in Guangzhou and elsewhere began investigating it as an anticancer agent. A tablet preparation called "Shi Shang Bai Pian" (石上柏片, also known as "Zhi Ai Pian" / Cancer-Treating Tablets) was developed and documented in the Quan Guo Zhong Cao Yao Hui Bian (全国中草药汇编, 1978) and the Si Chuan Zhong Yao Zhi (四川中药志, 1979) for treating trophoblastic tumours (choriocarcinoma), lung cancer, throat cancer, and digestive tract cancers. From 1971 onward, Guangzhou First People's Hospital reported treating over 300 cases of various inflammatory conditions with Shi Shang Bai extracts, achieving a 94.2% effectiveness rate. It is important to note that Shi Shang Bai (deep green spikemoss, S. doederleinii) is a distinct species from the more classically recorded Juan Bai (卷柏, S. tamariscina), though both belong to the Selaginella genus and share some overlapping medicinal uses.

Modern Research

4 published studies investigating the pharmacological effects or clinical outcomes of Shi Shang Bai

1

Antitumor Activities of Ethyl Acetate Extracts from Selaginella doederleinii Hieron In Vitro and In Vivo and Its Possible Mechanism (Preclinical study, 2015)

Wang JZ, et al. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015, Article ID 865714.

This study investigated the anticancer properties of the ethyl acetate extract from S. doederleinii. Using cell-based assays and a mouse tumour model (H-22 xenograft), the researchers found that the extract showed considerable antitumour activity both in the laboratory and in living animals, without obvious toxicity to normal cells. The extract could induce cancer cell death (apoptosis). Six biflavonoid compounds were identified as potential active components through molecular docking.

Link
2

Severe Reversible Bone Marrow Suppression Induced by Selaginella doederleinii (Case report, 2001)

Pan KY, Lin JL, Chen JS. Journal of Toxicology, Clinical Toxicology, 2001, 39(6): 637-639.

A case report of a 52-year-old female patient with cholangiocarcinoma who developed severe bone marrow suppression after taking S. doederleinii as an alternative anticancer treatment. The bone marrow suppression was reversible upon discontinuation. This case highlights the importance of medical supervision when using this herb, particularly at high doses or for extended periods.

PubMed
3

Inhibitory Effect of Selaginella doederleinii Hieron on Human Cytochrome P450 (In vitro study, 2023)

Li SG, et al. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2023, 14: 1100178.

This study examined whether the ethyl acetate extract of S. doederleinii and four of its key constituents (amentoflavone, palmatine, apigenin, delicaflavone) inhibit human CYP450 enzymes, which are critical for drug metabolism. The findings revealed inhibitory effects on several CYP450 isoforms, suggesting potential herb-drug interactions when this herb is combined with pharmaceutical drugs metabolised by these enzymes.

4

The Multi-Target Mechanism of Action of Selaginella doederleinii Hieron in the Treatment of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Network Pharmacology and Multi-Omics Analysis (Computational/Omics study, 2025)

Liang H, Fang C, Qiu M. Scientific Reports, 2025, 15: 159.

Using network pharmacology and multi-omics data integration, this study identified 10 potential active compounds and 398 gene targets through which S. doederleinii may exert its effects against nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The study supports the multi-target, multi-pathway anticancer mechanism of this herb.

Link

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.