Lycopodium, Clubmoss, Shen Jin Cao 伸筋草Clubmoss, Stag Horn, Wolf Claw, Snake Moss, Vegetable SulphurMuscus terrestris, Muscus clavatus, Plicaria (old names) Shen Jin Cao “Stretch Tendon Herb” (TCM) |
Eicones plantarum seu stirpium, Jacobus Theodorus, 1590
Lycopodium clavatum
F.E. Koehler, Medizinal Pflanzen, vol. 1 (1887)
Lycodium spores under magnification
Squibb’s Atlas of the Official Drugs, Mansfield, 1919
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Botanical name:
Lycopodium spp.
- L. clavatum (Common Clubmoss) (West, TCM)
- L. japonicum (TCM)
- L. cernnum (TCM)
In different countries, a range of Clubmoss species have been used similarly.
Parts used:
Herb; Spores
Temperature & Taste:
Warm, dry. Bitter, Pungent (TCM)
Classification:
D. Clear Wind and Damp
Uses:
1. Warms the Kidneys, Clears Damp, Promotes Urine: (West, TCM)
-Edema (West, TCM)
-Dysuria, Retention of Urine, especially from spasm; Incontinence (West)
-nocturnal micturation in children or adults (West)
2. Clears Wind-Damp, Relaxes Spasms: (TCM, West)
-Wind-Damp joint pain, especially with stiffness and tightness of the sinews (TCM)
-Arthritis, Rheumatism (TCM, West)
-Back Pain (West, TCM)
3. Moves the Blood, Stops Bleeding: (TCM, West)
-swelling and pain from Trauma (TCM)
-Amenorrhea, Dysmenorrhea (West, Ayurveda)
-it has been demonstrated to promote Uterine contractions
4. Clears Phlegm, Stops Cough: (West)
-Cold, Sore Throat, Tonsillitis
-Cough; Decoction is used for Whooping Cough (Salmon)
5. Used as a Pill Coating:
-the spores are used in pill coating to make them tasteless and prevent them sticking together.
6. Externally:
-applied topically to joint stiffness and pain, and to Trauma with pain and swelling
-herb being briefly boiled is applied to inflammations and arthritis coming with Heat
-ointment is used for Shingles (TCM)
-topically for Herpes (West)
-topically for suppurating Eczema, Psoriasis, Erysipelas
-spores applied as a dusting powder to relieve itchiness
-spores can be applied as a drying, protective cover for Ulcers
Dose:
… available in PRO version
Comment:
… available in PRO version
Substitutes:
… available in PRO version
Main Combinations:
1. Promote Urine in Edema:
i. Lycopodium Shen Jin Cao with … available in PRO version
2. Wind-Damp Muscle and Joint pain:
i. acute joint pain, Lycopodium Shen Jin Cao with … available in PRO version
ii. Wind-Damp pain with tightness and spasms, Lycopodium Shen Jin Cao with … available in PRO version
iii. Wind-Damp with swollen, painful joints, Lycopodium Shen Jin Cao with … available in PRO version
3. Sequelae of Polio, Lycopodium Shen Jin Cao with … available in PRO version
4. Trauma with swelling and pain:
i. Lycopodium Shen Jin Cao with … available in PRO version
ii. Lycopodium Shen Jin Cao with … available in PRO version
5. Herpetic eruptions, persistent Psoriasis, chapped nipples and sore lips, … available in PRO version
Major Formulas:
Cautions:
1. Not used during pregnancy or in people with Bleeding.
2. Large doses are reportedly Emetic