Licopodio, Lycopode, Lycopode en Massue, Lycopodium, Lycopodium clavatum, Shen Jin Cao, Stags Horn, Vegetable Sulfur, Witch Meal, Wolfs Claw.
Club moss is an herb. People use the whole plant to make medicine.
Despite safety concerns, people use club moss for bladder and kidney disorders, and as a diuretic to increase urine.
Don't confuse club moss with Chinese club moss. Only Chinese club moss contains huperzine A, a chemical which is thought to be helpful in dementia, memory loss, and myasthenia gravis.
How does it work?
There isn't enough information available to know how club moss works.
QUESTION
Next to red peppers, you can get the most vitamin C from ________________. See AnswerInsufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...
- Bladder disorders.
- Kidney 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 SlideshowSlow heart rate (bradycardia): Club moss might slow down the heart beat. This could be a problem in people who already have a slow heart rate.
Gastrointestinal tract blockage: Club moss might cause “congestion” in the intestines. This might cause problems in people who have a blockage in their intestines.
Ulcers: Club moss might increase secretions in the stomach and intestines. There is concern that this could worsen ulcers.
Lung conditions: Club moss might increase fluid secretions in the lung. There is concern that this could worsen lung conditions such as asthma or emphysema.
Seizures: There is concern that club moss might increase the risk of seizures.
Urinary tract obstruction: Club moss might increase secretions in the urinary tract. There is concern that this could worsen urinary obstruction.
Drying medications (Anticholinergic drugs)Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.
Club moss might increase levels of certain chemicals in the body that work in the brain, heart, and elsewhere. Some drying medications called "anticholinergic drugs" can also these same chemicals, but in a different way. These drying medications might decrease the effects of club moss and club moss might decrease the effects of drying medications.
Some of these drying medications include atropine, scopolamine, some medications used for allergies (antihistamines), and some medications used for depression (antidepressants).
Medications for Alzheimer's disease (Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors)Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.
Club moss might increase certain chemicals in the brain, heart, and elsewhere in the body. Some medications used for Alzheimer's disease also affect these chemicals. Taking club moss along with medications for Alzheimer's disease might increase effects and side effects of medications used 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.
Club moss might increase certain chemicals in the brain, heart, and elsewhere in the body. Some medications used for glaucoma, Alzheimer's disease, and other conditions also affect these chemicals. Taking 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 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 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.
Andersen, T. C., Jurgensen, G. W., and Christensen, E. Lycopodium spores in transrectal ultrasound-guided core biopsies of the prostate. Scand.J.Urol.Nephrol. 1998;32(2):148-149. View abstract.
Berkefeld, K. [A possibility for verifying condom use in sex offenses]. Arch Kriminol. 1993;192(1-2):37-42. View abstract.
Cullinan, P., Cannon, J., Sheril, D., and Newman, Taylor A. Asthma following occupational exposure to Lycopodium clavatum in condom manufacturers. Thorax 1993;48(7):774-775. View abstract.
Gebhardt, R. Antioxidative, antiproliferative and biochemical effects in HepG2 cells of a homeopathic remedy and its constituent plant tinctures tested separately or in combination. Arzneimittelforschung. 2003;53(12):823-830. View abstract.
Nakamura, S., Hirai, T., and Ueno, J. [Studies on bronchial asthma. 4. On occupational asthma considered to be caused by Lycopodium clavatum]. Arerugi 1969;18(4):258-262. View abstract.
Orhan, I., Kupeli, E., Sener, B., and Yesilada, E. Appraisal of anti-inflammatory potential of the clubmoss, Lycopodium clavatum L. J Ethnopharmacol 1-3-2007;109(1):146-150. View abstract.
Orhan, I., Terzioglu, S., and Sener, B. Alpha-onocerin: an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor from Lycopodium clavatum. Planta Med. 2003;69(3):265-267. View abstract.
Rollinger, J. M., Ewelt, J., Seger, C., Sturm, S., Ellmerer, E. P., and Stuppner, H. New insights into the acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of Lycopodium clavatum. Planta Med 2005;71(11):1040-1043. View abstract.
Felgenhauer N, Zilker T, Worek F, Eyer P. Intoxication with huperzine A, a potent anticholinesterase found in the fir club moss. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 2000;38:803-8.. View abstract.