Botany
Stems densely tufted, 4 to 15 cm long, branched nearly to the base; leaves of the lower plane crowded, ovate, with a distinct cusp, bright green, rigid, serrulate on both margins; the leaves of the upper plane are nearly as long, ovate lanceolate, cuspidate; the sporophylls are keeled.

Distribution and Preparation:
Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Bontoc, Zambales, Pampanga, Rizal, Batangas, Laguna, Quezon. The whole plant may be collected throughout the year. Wash thoroughly, cut off the roots and sun-dry. This may also be processed into charcoal form by heating it with small glow until it turns black, sprinkle with some clean water and redry under the sun. Rhizome or the trunk-like portion of the main axis used for propagation. Preferably transplant collected living plants.

Uses
Folkloric
Hemoptysis, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, hematosuria, excessive menstrual flow.
Prolapse of the rectum: boil the drug material to a concentrated decoction and drink.
To stop external bleed of any cause: powder or dress the wound with granulated drug materials.
Selaginella plus Thuja: For hematochezia due to a boil in the anal region (patient cannot sit) or for an extra-menstrual bleeding uterus. Selaginella preparation plus Thuja leaf preparation: Grind into powder, add warm water. Drink the resulting infusion.
Other Uses in Asia
Called Keoun Back in Korea, Selaginella tamariscina is a traditional medicinal plant for therapy of advanced cancer patients in the Orient. It is thought to modify gene expression and cytokine production. It also lowers blood sugar and lipid peroxide levels. The biflavones isolated from related Selaginella species exert both tumoricidal effects against human tumor cell lines and anti-mutagenic activity. There is ongoing study for its chemopreventive effects in stomach cancers. (Article link)

Availability
Wild-crafted.