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)
Lycopodium clavatum
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.
  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)

2. Clears Wind-Damp, Relaxes Spasms: (TCM, West)
-Arthritis, Rheumatism (TCM, West)

3. Moves the Blood, Stops Bleeding: (TCM, West)
-Trauma (TCM)

4. Clears Phlegm, Stops Cough: (West)
-Cold, Sore Throat

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


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

Main Preparations used: