Shi Shang Bai石上柏
Selaginellae Doederleinii Herba · Doederlein's Spikemoss
Overview
A spikemoss that grows over damp rock — hence the name, cypress-on-stone — and a herb of the modern folk tradition rather than the classical canon. Sweet, slightly bitter, astringent and cool, it clears heat and resolves toxicity, and is used for sore throat, hot cough and hot painful swellings, and for damp-heat patterns with jaundice. In contemporary Chinese hospitals it also appears as an adjunct alongside conventional cancer treatment, particularly for lung and nasopharyngeal disease; the evidence for that use is preliminary and it is never a substitute for oncology care.
Nature & Flavor
Sweet, slightly bitter, astringent · CoolChannels
Lung · LiverTypical Dosage
10–30 g in decoction; up to 60 g only under practitioner supervisionActions
4 core actions
- Clears heat, resolves toxicitySore swollen throat, hot cough with yellow sputum, hot painful boils and swellings.
- Drains damp-heatDamp-heat jaundice, and damp-heat sores that weep and are slow to settle.
- Reduces swelling and eases painLocalised hot swelling; also decocted and used as an external wash on the affected area.
- Used as an adjunct in oncology careGiven in modern Chinese practice alongside conventional cancer treatment, most often in lung and nasopharyngeal disease. The supporting evidence is preliminary; it does not replace oncological treatment and must be disclosed to the treating oncology team.
In Formulas
Formulas containing Shi Shang Bai
No published formula lists this herb yet — the library is growing.
Indications & Clinical Uses
- Sore, swollen throat and hot cough with yellow sputum
- Hot painful boils, swellings and weeping damp-heat sores
- Damp-heat jaundice
- Adjunctive use alongside conventional cancer treatment, under specialist supervision
Western Medical Keywords
Searchable condition terms
Contraindications
Cautions
Cool and draining: unsuitable for Spleen and Stomach deficiency cold with poor appetite and loose stools. Large doses and long courses need supervision and periodic review. It must not be used in place of conventional cancer treatment, and any patient using it during oncology care should tell their treating team, since herb interactions with chemotherapy and radiotherapy cannot be assumed to be absent. Safety in pregnancy and lactation has not been established.
Contraindicated in pregnancy: Not established as safe in pregnancy — avoid unless a practitioner specifically directs its use.
For licensed practitioners’ reference only
References
- 《全国中草药汇编》.
2. 《中华本草》.
Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.