Lycopodium clavatum, better known as club moss, is a species belonging to the Lycopodiaceae family, which is related to the fern group. It is also commonly known as wolf's foot, terrestrial moss, vegetable sulfur, and in English as running clubmoss and common club moss.
The wolf's foot is a species up to 80 cm tall, attractive and found in coniferous forests. These plants have true roots, stems (both rhizomes and aerial stems), and scale-like leaves (microphiles).
Lycopodium clavatum. Source: Christian Fischer
-Species: Lycopodium clavatum L.
This species is synonymous with Lepidotis clavata L. It is also divided into subspecies: clavatum, contiguum and aristatum.
Illustration of Lycopodium clavatum. Source: Carl Axel Magnus Lindman
Homeopathy
Lycopodium clavatum is used extensively in homeopathic or complementary medicine to treat acute diseases such as otitis, infantile anorexia or for chronic conditions such as Alzheimer's disease.
Patients who require the homeopathic preparation of Lycopodium have liver problems, slow digestions, hypertension, heartburn, migraines, and heavy digestions.
In general, the use of drugs derived or prepared from this species requires scientific validation since it is necessary to understand the effects produced in order to visualize and avoid the potential risks in patients.
In vivo studies have shown that the application of L. clavatum before Trypanosoma cruzi infection in mice has produced beneficial effects such as temperature regulation, weight maintenance, and appetite stability.
Other important effects observed are the normal production of excreta, the decrease in blood with the presence of the parasite and a general increase in the survival of the animal.
Lycopodium clavatum spores are used in homeopathy. Source: H. Zell
Posology
The Lycopodium remedy should be administered individually according to the instructions of an experienced homeopath.
The dosage is usually defined according to the level of symptoms, whether acute or chronic, and also taking into account the potency of the remedy.
In the case of adult and adolescent patients between 12 and 17 years of age, it is usually recommended to take 5 globules every half hour or an hour, for a maximum of six times a day for acute symptoms. For chronic conditions it is taken one to three times a day.
In the case of children from 6 to 11 years old, it is recommended to take 3 globules maximum six times a day for acute conditions, and for chronic conditions take the same amount but maximum three times a day.
In the same way, for children between 2 and 5 years old it is recommended for both conditions to take only 2 globules, maximum 6 times a day for acute conditions, and maximum three times a day for chronic conditions. In the case of children under 2 years of age, its intake cannot be recommended as there is no data available.
Side effects
Despite the fact that this club moss is one of the most used species in homeopathy, it has been observed that it produces symptoms that can result in pathogenesis, a fact that does not occur with other medications. It can sometimes produce an allergic reaction for people who cannot tolerate the chemical compound Lycopodium clavatum.
A side effect of the remedy of this species is that it produces a lot of flatulence. Also, the person treated with club moss is easily satiated, so their food consumption is lower.
Moreover, the preparation of this medicine contains sucrose. Therefore, people who are intolerant to fructose, or with poor absorption of sugars such as glucose or galactose should not ingest this remedy.
References
- Pereira, AV, Lera, KR, Miranda, M., Drozino, RN, Falkowski-Temporini, GJ, Góis, MB Conchon-Costa, I., Da Costa, Costa IN, Aleixo DL, De Araujo, S., Pavanelli, WR 2016. Safety and efficacy of Lycopodium clavatum 200dH in Toxoplasma gondii infected mice. European Journal of Integrative Medicine.
- González, H., Arana, M., Brussa, C., Muñoz, F. 2016. First record of Lycopodium clavatum (Lycopodiaceae) for Uruguay. Darwiniana, new series 4 (2): 212-216.
- Tropics. 2019. Lycopodium clavatum L. Taken from: tropicos.org
- Flora of China. 2019. Lycopodium clavatum Linnaeus. Taken from: efloras.org
- Solomon, E., Berg, L., Martin, D. 2001. Biology. Mc Graw Hill. Mexico. Page 566.
- Catalog of Life: 2019 Annual Checklist. Species details: Lycopodium clavatum L. Taken from: catalogueoflife.org
- Plana, RM 2019. Lycopodium homeopathic remedy. Taken from: enbuenasmanos.com
- Ministry of Health, Social Policy and Equality. Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products. 2019. Technical data sheet of Lycopodium 5 CH, globules. Taken from: Summit.aemps.es
- Charles Darwin Foundation. 2019. Lycopodium clavatum L. Taken from: darwinfoundation.org