Lygodium Spore Chinese Herb
Lygodium Spore (Hai Jin Sha): A Cooling Herb for Urinary Problems, Damp-Heat, and Kidney Stones
Introduction
Lygodium spore, known as Hai Jin Sha (海金沙) in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), is a sweet, bland, and cold herb valued for clearing damp-heat from the urinary tract, promoting urination, and treating painful urinary dribbling. It is especially used for kidney stones, urinary tract infections, and hot, burning urination. Its fine spores work gently yet effectively in flushing out damp-heat.
What Is Lygodium Spore?
Hai Jin Sha comes from the spores of Lygodium japonicum or related species, a type of climbing fern. In TCM, it is classified as sweet, bland, and cold, entering the Bladder and Small Intestine meridians. Its cooling and draining qualities make it a key herb for urinary issues caused by damp-heat.
Health Benefits of Lygodium Spore
Promotes urination – Clears damp-heat and relieves difficulty in passing urine.
Treats urinary stones – Especially effective for kidney or bladder stones with painful urination.
Clears damp-heat from lower burner – Used for urinary tract infections, dark urine, or painful dribbling.
Soothes urinary discomfort – Eases burning sensation, frequency, and urgency.
How to Use Lygodium Spore
As a decoction – Spores are simmered in water, often strained with cloth due to their fine texture.
In formulas – Commonly paired with herbs like Jin Qian Cao or Che Qian Zi for stones and damp-heat.
Powdered form – Sometimes taken as fine powder in capsules or mixed with warm water.
Where to Buy Lygodium Spore
TCM apothecaries – Usually available as loose spores or pre-packaged herbal sachets.
Herbal markets – Found in formulas targeting urinary stones and infections.
Look for: clean, fine spores with a yellowish-brown color and neutral aroma.
Are There Any Side Effects?
Lygodium spore is generally safe but should not be used in cases of cold from deficiency or excessive urination without damp-heat. Overuse may weaken the body’s yang qi. Always use under professional guidance.
Conclusion
Lygodium spore (Hai Jin Sha) is a cooling, sweet-bland herb that promotes urination, clears damp-heat, and effectively treats urinary stones and infections. With proper use, it provides reliable relief for damp-heat urinary conditions.
FAQ
Can Lygodium spore dissolve kidney stones? – Yes, it is one of the classic herbs for breaking down and expelling urinary stones.
Is it safe for long-term use? – No, due to its cooling and draining nature, it should be used short-term and as directed.
Can it be combined with other herbs? – Yes, it is often combined with Jin Qian Cao and Che Qian Zi for maximum effect on stones and damp-heat.