Lycopodium, Clubmoss, Shen Jin Cao 伸筋草

Clubmoss, Stag Horn, Wolf Claw, Snake Moss, Vegetable Sulphur
Muscus terrestris, Muscus clavatus, Plicaria (old names)
Shen Jin Cao “Stretch Tendon Herb” (TCM)
Picture
Picture Lycopodium clavatum
Eicones plantarum seu stirpium, Jacobus Theodorus, 1590

Picture Lycopodium clavatum
F.E. Koehler, Medizinal Pflanzen, vol. 1 (1887)

Picture Lycodium spores under magnification
Squibb’s Atlas of the Official Drugs, Mansfield, 1919

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Botanical name:


Lycopodium spp.
  1. L. clavatum (Common Clubmoss) (West, TCM)
  2. L. japonicum (TCM)
  3. L. cernnum (TCM)
Other species are used including L. obscurum, L. centro-chinense
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
Picture

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

Main Preparations used: