What are the medicinal values of Selaginella tamariscina?

Raw Platycladus orientalis (Chinese arborvitae) has a pungent and sweet taste and is cool in nature; processed (i.e., stir-fried or charred) Platycladus orientalis has a sweet taste and is warm in nature. It enters the Liver, Kidney, and Large Intestine meridians, and functions to arrest bleeding from the lower jiao, break up blood stasis, promote blood circulation, relieve painful and difficult urination, and dissipate nodules.

It is commonly used to treat bleeding disorders originating from the lower jiao. When charred, its hemostatic effect is enhanced and specifically directed toward arresting bleeding. For rectal prolapse with associated bleeding, it may be charred together with Biota orientalis (Chinese arborvitae leaf) and palm fiber, then ground into powder and taken with wine. For chronic intestinal wind-induced bleeding, it may be decocted with Sanguisorba officinalis (great burnet). For hemorrhoidal bleeding (referred to as “zang du” or “visceral toxicity”), it is commonly decocted with Astragalus membranaceus (huang qi).

When used raw, Platycladus orientalis promotes blood circulation and regulates menstruation, making it suitable for treating amenorrhea due to blood stasis; it is commonly combined with Angelica sinensis (dang gui), Persicae semen (tao ren), and Carthamus tinctorius (hong hua). Its ability to relieve painful and difficult urination and dissipate nodules also makes it effective for treating dysuria characterized by scanty, painful, and obstructed urination.