Common Club Moss, Running clubmoss

Lycopodium clavatum

Physical Characteristics

Lycopodium clavatum is an evergreen Fern growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) by 1 m (3ft 3in). It is in leaf all year. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

Arctic and temperate zones of N. America, Europe and Asia; C. America; S. America; Caribbean; scattered through tropical Africa and tropical Asia.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade;

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal Uses

Analgesic Antipruritic Antirheumatic Carminative Decongestant Diuretic Dysentery Haemostatic Homeopathy Malaria Miscellany Skin Tonic Urinary With its wide native range, the plant has found a wide range of medicinal uses around the world. There has been considerable research into the active constituents of the plant. The aerial parts contain dihydrocaffeic acid, which has a blood pressure-lowering effect, as well as alkaloids such as lycopodine, chinoline, clavatine, clavatoxine and annotinine, which all cause an increase in blood pressure[299 ]. Lycopodine also stimulates the peristaltic movements of the intestine and contraction of the uterus[299 ]. The aerial parts also contain derivatives of cinnamonic acid and flavonoids[299 ]. A methanol extract of the plant showed strong prolyl-endopeptidase-inhibiting activity and is expected to have activity against loss of memory[299 ]. The spores contain about 50% greenish-yellow acidic oil, 3% sugar, 1 - 4% ash and a trace of a volatile alkaloid[299 ]. A decoction of the plant is analgesic, antirheumatic, carminative, mildly diuretic, stomachic and tonic[4 , 9 , 13 , 21 , 46 , 154 , 172 , 176 , 218 , 238 ]. It is used internally in the treatment of urinary and kidney disorders, rheumatic arthritis, catarrhal cystitis, gastritis, dysentery, malaria etc[176 , 238 , 299 ]. The whole plant is chewed to induce vomiting after food poisoning or acute stomach pain[299 ]. The sun-dried, pulverized leaves are mixed with plantain and milk, and the mixture is given in small doses to children to cure diarrhoea and dysentery[299 ]. It is applied externally to skin diseases, wounds, ulcers and irritations[238 , 299 ]. The whole plant is grilled with sugarcane and banana skins and applied to cracked lips to promote healing[299 ]. The plant can be harvested all year round and is used fresh or dried[238 ]. The spores of this plant are antipruritic, decongestant, diuretic, stomachic and styptic[4 ]. They are applied externally as a dusting powder to various skin diseases, to wounds or inhaled to stop bleeding noses[4 , 7 ]. They can also be used to absorb fluids from injured tissues[213 , 218 ]. The spores are harvested when ripe in late summer[9 ]. The spores can also be used as a dusting powder to prevent pills from sticking together[4 , 213 ]. A homoeopathic remedy is made from the spores[232 ]. It has a wide range of applications including dry coughs, mumps and rheumatic pains[232 , 238 ]. The plant is one of the ingredients of a remedy to alleviate jet lag[299 ].

Known Hazards

The plant contains lycopodine, which is poisonous by paralysing the motor nerves[21, 218]. It also contains clavatine which is toxic to many mammals[218]. The spores, however, are not toxic[21]. may stimulate the central nervous system. Take under medical supervision [301].