What are the functions and benefits of Herba Lycopodii (Climbing Spikemoss Herb)?

Jan 24, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Zhang Xiuhong

Introduction

Lycopodium japonicum (commonly known as "Shenjincao") typically has effects and functions such as dispelling wind and dampness, relaxing tendons and promoting circulation, activating blood and resolving stasis, inhibiting bacteria, promoting diuresis, reducing swelling, and relieving pain. Shenjincao can expel wind-cold-damp pathogens from the body, alleviating symptoms such as rheumatic pain and joint soreness. It also has a significant alleviating effect on localized pain and swelling caused by contusions and injuries, providing effective pain relief.

Lycopodium japonicum (commonly known as Stiff Clubmoss) typically has effects including dispelling wind and dampness, relaxing tendons and activating collaterals, promoting blood circulation to remove blood stasis, inhibiting bacteria and promoting diuresis, reducing swelling and relieving pain. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Dispelling Wind and Dampness: Lycopodium japonicum can expel wind-cold-damp pathogens from the body and alleviate symptoms such as rheumatic pain and joint soreness. It is commonly used to treat arthritis and muscle pain caused by wind-cold-damp pathogens, helping patients restore joint mobility.

2. Relaxing Tendons and Activating Collaterals: Lycopodium japonicum helps relieve muscle tension and activate joint movement. It is effective in treating symptoms such as limb joint soreness and limited flexion and extension. It can accelerate blood circulation in muscles and joints, promote metabolism, and thus improve muscle stiffness and joint movement disorders.

3. Promoting Blood Circulation and Removing Blood Stasis: Lycopodium japonicum promotes blood circulation and resolves blood stasis, improving blood circulation and alleviating pain and discomfort caused by blood stasis. It is commonly used to treat traumatic injuries and swelling and pain caused by blood stasis, helping dissipate bruising and promote recovery of damaged tissues.

4. Inhibiting Bacteria and Promoting Diuresis: Lycopodium japonicum has an inhibitory effect on bacteria such as Shigella (bacillus of dysentery), and also has diuretic properties. It can help the body eliminate excess fluid, thereby reducing swelling and promoting urination. It aids in treating urinary tract infections and may help lower blood pressure, blood lipids, and cholesterol levels.

5. Reducing Swelling and Relieving Pain: Lycopodium japonicum has a significant effect in alleviating localized pain and swelling caused by traumatic injuries, with good analgesic effects. It can reduce inflammation, alleviate pain, and help patients recover health quickly.

It is recommended to maintain a healthy lifestyle, ensure adequate sleep, improve dietary habits, adjust physical condition, and maintain overall health.

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Can Sea金沙 (Lycopodium japonicum) be steeped in water for drinking?

As a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, Lygodii Spora is generally consumed by steeping in water. It is commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for clearing heat, detoxifying, promoting diuresis, and reducing edema. For certain conditions caused by damp-heat, such as urinary tract infections and edema due to nephritis, an appropriate amount of Lygodii Spora steeped in water may help alleviate symptoms. It is recommended to use under the guidance of a TCM practitioner to confirm suitability for one's individual constitution and medical condition.

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Can Lycopodium be steeped in water for consumption?

Under normal circumstances, Herba Lycopodii (Qian Nian Jian) can be steeped in water for consumption, but it should be taken in moderation, and special populations should use it with caution. Herba Lycopodii is a traditional Chinese medicine with a mild nature, bitter taste, and slightly pungent flavor. It primarily affects the liver, spleen, and kidney meridians, and has functions of dispelling wind-dampness and relaxing muscles and meridians. Drinking it as a tea generally offers health benefits and is suitable for individuals experiencing mild symptoms such as joint soreness and limited mobility.

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Can Geranium wilfordii treat stroke?

Stroke refers to cerebral apoplexy; geranium can be used as an adjunctive therapy for stroke. Geranium is often combined with other wind-damp-dispelling and meridian-invigorating herbs, such as Siegesbeckia pubescens and Lycopodium japonicum, to jointly improve post-stroke complications. Geranium possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, which help reduce the damage caused by hypertension to the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems, thereby exerting an indirect positive effect on the treatment and prevention of stroke.

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The efficacy of drinking water infused with Herba Siegesbeckiae

Lycopodium japonicum (Shenjincao) is warm in nature and has the effects of dispelling wind and eliminating dampness, thereby removing pathogenic wind and dampness from areas such as the joints and muscles. Drinking an appropriate amount of its infused water may help alleviate obstruction of the meridians caused by wind-damp, improving symptoms such as joint pain, swelling, and limited flexion and extension. Shenjincao is particularly effective in relaxing tendons and promoting circulation in the meridians, facilitating blood flow, and relieving muscle tension and spasms. Drinking water infused with Shenjincao may help alleviate symptoms of swelling and pain to some extent.