Natural Herb Library

All-Grass of Tamariskoid Spikemoss

Chinese
卷柏
Pinyin
Juan Bai
Latin
Herba Selaginellae Tamariscinae
Botanical illustration of All-Grass of Tamariskoid Spikemoss, Selaginella tamariscina, showing habit, fronds, strobili, rhizophores, and diagnostic plant details.
Botanical plate by Kodi.

Known in TCM as Juan Bai (卷柏), this acrid, neutral herb enters the Liver and Heart. Traditionally, it invigorates blood and regulates menstruation; treats amenorrhea, menstrual obstruction, and postpartum blood stasis, most often applied for amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, and traumatic injury. Modern research has identified Amentoflavone among its active constituents.

Part used: Whole herb Also known as: Selaginella

TCM Properties

Taste
acrid
Temperature
neutral
Channels
Liver, Heart

Traditional Use

Primary Actions

  • Invigorates blood and regulates menstruation; treats amenorrhea, menstrual obstruction, and postpartum blood stasis
  • Dispels blood stasis and reduces masses; used for traumatic injury, fixed abdominal masses, and chronic pain
  • Stops bleeding when charred (Juan Bai Tan); treats uterine bleeding, hematuria, and hemorrhage with underlying stasis

Secondary Actions

  • Reduces swelling and alleviates pain from traumatic injury
  • Raw form moves stagnant blood; charred form arrests hemorrhage while transforming stasis

Classical References

  • Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (Divine Husbandman's Classic of the Materia Medica) — 'governs pathogenic Qi of the five organs; addresses women's vaginal pain, blood obstruction, and infertility'
  • Ben Cao Jing Shu — explicitly states 'pregnant women are prohibited from using this herb'

Modern Research

Active Compounds

  • Amentoflavone (primary biflavonoid)
  • Selaginellin derivatives
  • Additional biflavonoids
  • Lignans
  • Phenolic compounds

Studied Effects

  • Anti-inflammatory — biflavonoids inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines via ERK 1/2 signaling (PMID 29673161)
  • Antioxidant — scavenges free radicals via phenolic compound activity
  • Hemostatic — charred preparation (Juan Bai Tan) promotes coagulation (PMID 34302944)
  • Antidiabetic — inhibits protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B
  • Anticancer potential — synergistic effects with conventional chemotherapy in preclinical models

PubMed References

Safety & Interactions

Contraindications

  • Pregnancy — explicitly prohibited per Ben Cao Jing Shu; strong blood-invigorating action risks miscarriage
  • Bleeding without underlying blood stasis — raw form may worsen hemorrhage

Cautions

  • Raw vs charred form (Juan Bai Tan) have opposite therapeutic actions — confirm preparation before dispensing
  • Use cautiously in patients with digestive weakness or pronounced deficiency patterns

Conditions