Toothed Clubmoss
OTHER NAME(S): Chinese Club Moss, Huperazon, Lycopodio Chinois, Qian Ceng Ta, Huperzia serrata, Lycopodium serratum, Hyperzia serrata, Licopodio Chino, Lycopode Chinois
Overview
Toothed clubmoss is a type of moss. People use it to make medicine.
Toothed clubmoss is used for Alzheimer disease, general memory disorders, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support its use.
Be careful not to confuse toothed clubmoss with the chemical called huperzine A. Toothed clubmoss contains small amounts of huperzine A. But huperzine A is also sold as a supplement.
Uses
Insufficient Evidence for
- Alzheimer disease.
- Memory disorders.
- Schizophrenia.
- Fever.
- Swelling (inflammation).
- Blood loss.
- Irregular menstruation.
- Other Conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of toothed clubmoss for these uses.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: There isn't enough reliable information to know if toothed clubmoss is safe. It might cause side effects such as dizziness, nausea, and sweating.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: There isn't enough reliable information to know if toothed clubmoss is safe. It might cause side effects such as dizziness, nausea, and sweating.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if toothed clubmoss is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, blockage of the intestinal or urogenital tracts, gastrointestinal ulcer disease, or seizures: Toothed clubmoss contains chemicals that can affect the nervous system in such a way that it could harm people with these diseases. If you have one of these conditions, don't use toothed clubmoss until more is known.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
- Drying medications (Anticholinergic drugs) interacts with Toothed ClubmossToothed clubmoss contains chemicals that can affect the brain and heart. Some of these drying medications called anticholinergic drugs can also affect the brain and heart. But toothed clubmoss works differently than drying medications. Toothed clubmoss might decrease the effects of drying medications. Some of these drying medications include atropine, scopolamine, and some medications used for allergies (antihistamines) and for depression (antidepressants).
- Various medications used for glaucoma, Alzheimer disease, and other conditions (Cholinergic drugs) interacts with Toothed ClubmossToothed clubmoss contains a chemical that affects the body. This chemical is similar to some medications used for glaucoma, Alzheimer disease, and other conditions. Taking toothed clubmoss with these medications might increase the chance of side effects. Some of these medications used for glaucoma, Alzheimer disease, and other conditions include pilocarpine (Pilocar and others), donepezil (Aricept), tacrine (Cognex), and others.
Dosing
The appropriate dose of toothed clubmoss depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for toothed clubmoss. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
References
- McEvoy GK, ed. AHFS Drug Information. Bethesda, MD: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, 1998.
- Budavari S, ed. The Merck Index. 12th ed. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck & Co., Inc., 1996.
- Wang T, Tang XC. Reversal of scopolamine-induced deficits in radial maze performance by (-)-huperzine A: comparison with E2020 and tacrine. Eur J Pharmacol 1998;349:137-42.
- Zhang RW, Tang XC, Han YY, et al. [Drug evaluation of huperzine A in the treatment of senile memory disorders]. Chung Kuo Yao Li Hsueh Pao 1991;12:250-2.
- Ohba T, Yoshino Y, Ishisaka M, et al. Japanese Huperzia serrata extract and the constituent, huperzine A, ameliorate the scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment in mice. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2015;79(11):1838-44.