Club Moss Herb Profile

Also known as

Lycopodium clavatum, Vegetable Sulphur, Goat's Claw, Stag's Horn, Wolf Claw, Running Pine, and Robin Hood's Hatband

Introduction

Club moss is an evergreen related to ferns that is native to Europe, and harvested mostly in Russia. Though it is called a moss, it is actually more closely related to ferns. Nowadays, the only part of the plant used medicinally is the powdered spores by which it reproduces.

Constituents

Alkaloids, about 0.1-0.2%, of which the major one is lycopodine; with clavatine, clavatoxine, nicotine and many others. Polyphenolic acids including dihydrocaffeic, Flavonoids including apigenin, Miscellaneous; triterpenes.

Parts Used

Whole lichen (also known as spores or moss)

Typical Preparations

Dried spores as a powder, tincture prepared from dried leaves and stems. Usually found in extract and capsule form. Suitable as a tea.

Summary

In Victorian England, the spores were sometimes used in the theater to create flash fires, since the high aluminum content of the plant will cause a bright, fast-burning fire when ignited. Its most common modern pharmaceutical use is as a dusting powder to prevent pills from sticking together. This is due to the powder's ability to absorb moisture.

Precautions

Not to be used while pregnant. Not for long term use. When used as directed, there are no known side effects or dangers, though severe overdoses can cause gastric distress.

For educational purposes only This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.