Lygodium, Hai Jin Sha 海金沙
Japanese Climbing Fern, Vine-like FernHai Jin Sha (TCM)
Gser bye (Tibetan)
Lygodium japonicurn Lowe, E.J., Ferns [a history of Ferns]: British and exotic (1856-1860)
Lygodium japonicurn (Photo by Kenraiz, Wikimedia)
Botanical name:
Lygodium japonicurn
Parts used:
Spores or whole herb
Temperature & Taste:
Cold, dry. Sweet
Classification:
C. Clear Damp, Promote Urine
Uses:
1. Clears Damp, Promotes Urine:
-painful, difficult and dribbling urination
-Urethritis
-Edema, swelling and abdominal distention from fluid obstruction
-Jaundice from Damp-Heat
2. Clears Stones:
-Gravel and Stones of the Urinary system or Gall Bladder
3. Externally:
-plant paste or juice is applied to Herpes (Nepal)
-paste is also applied to Joint pain (Nepal)
Dose:
Spores in Decoction: 3–9 grams, up to 15 grams, decocted in cheesecloth
Herb in Decoction: 15–30 grams
Main Combinations:
1. Painful and dribbling Urination from Damp-Heat:
i. Lygodium with Phellodendron Huang Bai, Gardenia Zhi Zi
ii. Lygodium with Plantain seed (Che Qian Zi)
iii. with hematuria, Lygodium with Rehmannia Sheng Di Huang, Typha pollen Pu Huang
2. Difficult urination, Lygodium spores, tea leaves and Licorice
3. Abdominal swelling and wheezing from fluid accumulation, Lygodium with Pharbitis Qian Niu Zi
4. Urinary Gravel and Stones:
i. Lygodium with Lysmachia Jin Qian Cao, Akebia Mu Tong
ii. Lygodium with Lysmachia Jin Qian Cao, Chicken Gizzard skin (Ji Nei Jin)
iii. Lygodium with Pyrrosia Shi Wei, Talcum (Hua Shi)
iv. Lygodium with Corn Silk (Yu Mi Xu), Plantain seed (Che Qian Zi)
v. Lygodium with Amber
5. Gall Stones, Lygodium with Lysmachia Jin Qian Cao, Curcuma Yu Jin, Citrus Qing Pi
Major Formulas:
Lygodium 8 (Gser bye brgyad pa)
Cautions:
1. Not suitable in urinary disorders associated with Yin deficiency/dryness.
Toxicity:
Overdose may cause nausea, dizziness, frequent urination or incontinence and numbness of the tongue.