Huperzia serrata, Huperazon, Licopodio Chino, Lycopode Chinois, Lycopodio Chinois, Lycopodium serrata, Qian Ceng Ta, Toothed Clubmoss.
Chinese club moss is an herb. People use it to make medicine.
Chinese club moss is used for Alzheimer's disease and general memory disorders. It is also used for fever, pain and swelling (inflammation), blood loss, and irregular menstrual periods. Some people use it to rid the body of extra fluid by increasing urine production.
Be careful not to confuse club moss and Chinese club moss. Only Chinese club moss contains a chemical called huperzine A, which might be helpful in treating memory problems.
How does it work?
Chinese club moss might help increase the level of a brain chemical that is low in patients with memory disorders. It may also protect brain cells against certain poisons.
QUESTION
Next to red peppers, you can get the most vitamin C from ________________. See AnswerInsufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...
- Alzheimer's disease.
- Memory disorders.
- Other conditions.
Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).
SLIDESHOW
Vitamin D Deficiency: How Much Vitamin D Is Enough? See SlideshowAsthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, blockage of the intestinal or urogenital tracts, gastrointestinal ulcer disease, or seizures: Chinese club moss contains chemicals that can affect the nervous system in such a way that it could harm people with these diseases. If you have one of these conditions, don't use Chinese club moss until more is known.
Drying medications (Anticholinergic drugs)Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.
Chinese club moss contains chemicals that can affect the brain and heart. Some of these drying medications called anticholinergic drugs can also affect the brain and heart. But Chinese club moss works differently than drying medications. Chinese club moss might decrease the effects of drying medications.
Some of these drying medications include atropine, scopolamine, and some medications used for allergies (antihistamines) and for depression (antidepressants).
Medications for Alzheimer's disease (Acetylcholinesterase [AChE] inhibitors)Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.
Chinese club moss contains a chemical that affects the brain. Medications for Alzheimer's also affect the brain. Taking Chinese club moss along with medications for Alzheimer's disease might increase effects and side effects of medications for Alzheimer's disease.
Various medications used for glaucoma, Alzheimer's disease, and other conditions (Cholinergic drugs)Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.
Chinese club moss contains a chemical that affects the body. This chemical is similar to some medications used for glaucoma, Alzheimer's disease, and other conditions. Taking Chinese club moss with these medications might increase the chance of side effects.
Some of these medications used for glaucoma, Alzheimer's disease, and other conditions include pilocarpine (Pilocar and others), donepezil (Aricept), tacrine (Cognex), and others.
The appropriate dose of Chinese club moss depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for Chinese club moss. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Budavari S, ed. The Merck Index. 12th ed. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck & Co., Inc., 1996.
Wang T, Tang XC. Reversal of scopolamine-induced deficits in radial maze performance by (-)-huperzine A: comparison with E2020 and tacrine. Eur J Pharmacol 1998;349:137-42. View abstract.
Zhang RW, Tang XC, Han YY, et al. [Drug evaluation of huperzine A in the treatment of senile memory disorders]. Chung Kuo Yao Li Hsueh Pao 1991;12:250-2. View abstract.