Club moss

Related Terms

Alpha-onocerin, ground pine, lyclavatol, lycopodine, Lycopodium alpinum, Lycopodium annotinum, Lycopodium chamaecyparissus, Lycopodium clavatum, Lycopodium complanatum, Lycopodium hamiltonii, Lycopodium selago, Lycopodiaceae (family), nankakurine A, running club moss, stag's-horn clubmoss.
Combination product examples: Hepeel? (homeopathic extracts of chelidonium from Chelidonium majus, Carduus marianus from Silybum marianum, veratrum from Veratrum album, colocynthis from Citrullus colocynthis, lycopodium from Lycopodium clavatum, nux moschata from Myristica fragrans Houtt, and China from Cinchona pubescens).
Note: This monograph does not cover Chinese club moss (Huperzia serrata, Lycopodium serrata), a separate species that contains the sesquiterpene alkaloid huperzine A.

Background

Club moss grows along the ground and reproduces by producing spores, rather than seeds. Lycopodium clavatum has been used in folk medicine to treat bladder and kidney disorders and to increase urine flow. There is insufficient available evidence in humans to support the use of Lycopodium clavatum for any condition.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) PLANTS database, numerous species of club moss belong to two separate genera in the Lycopodiaceae family: Lycopodium and Huperzia. There is some overlap between the scientific names for species in both genera. The information in this monograph refers to the species Lycopodium clavatum.
Club moss species that contain huperzine, a cholinesterase inhibitor (e.g., Huperzia serrata, Lycopodium serrata) have been mistaken for Lycopodium clavatum and ingested, resulting in cholinergic poisoning.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
There is no proven safe or effective dose for club moss in adults.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Club moss may interfere with anticancer drugs, anticholinergic agents, anti-inflammatory agents, cholinergic agonists, and cholinesterase inhibitors.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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Felgenhauer N, Zilker T, Worek F, et al. Intoxication with huperzine A, a potent anticholinesterase found in the fir club moss. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 2000;38(7):803-808.
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.
Nakamura S, Hirai T, Ueno, J. [Studies on bronchial asthma. 4. On occupational asthma considered to be caused by ]. Arerugi 1969;18(4):258-262.
Orhan I, Kupeli E, Sener B, et al. Appraisal of anti-inflammatory potential of the clubmoss, L. J Ethnopharmacol 2007;109(1):146-150.
Orhan I, Terzioglu S, Sener B. Alpha-onocerin: an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor from . Planta Med 2003;69(3):265-267.
Rollinger JM, Ewelt J, Seger C, et al. New insights into the acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of . Planta Med 2005;71(11):1040-1043.