Shen Jin Cao
StarLycopodium japonicum Thunb.
☯ TCM Properties
Dispels Wind-Dampness; Relaxes the Sinews and Unblocks the Collaterals; Disperses Cold; Reduces Swelling and Alleviates Pain
Traditional Chinese Uses
Shen Jin Cao (lycopodium herb, club moss) is a warm, bitter herb used in Chinese medicine primarily to expel Wind-Cold-Damp from the channels and muscles, relieve joint and muscle pain, and relax the sinews. It is used for bi syndrome with stiffness, numbness, and pain in the joints and limbs, and for menstrual irregularities from stagnation. Its sinew-relaxing properties make it particularly applicable for spasms, cramps, and restricted range of motion from Wind-Cold-Damp obstruction.
Botanical Description
Lycopodium japonicum is a perennial evergreen clubmoss (lycophyte) of the family Lycopodiaceae, native to moist forested slopes, ravines, and open mountain meadows across East and Southeast Asia. It produces long, prostrate, branching main stems that creep along the substrate, rooting at intervals and giving rise to erect, repeatedly forked aerial shoots 15 to 40 cm tall, densely clothed in narrow, linear-lanceolate, spirally arranged microphylls less than 1 cm long. Reproduction is by spores borne in cylindrical, terminal strobili at the tips of slender, leafless peduncles; the spores are yellow, oily, and extremely fine. The entire aerial herb is collected throughout the growing season for medicinal use, dried, and cut into segments.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 9-15g | Daily | — | — | — |
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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