In the prevention of cognitive problems lycopods or club mosses, perennials, evergreens and vine-growing similar to ferns have a moderate importance. The name has Greek origins and means wolf foot (Lykos “wolf” and podos “foot”). Their habitat is typical, growing in pastures, woodlands, at altitudes up to 2500 meters and they can grow in both temperate zones and in tropical mountain areas.
In Europe, the two most widespread species are “Annoticum” and “clavatum.”
In China and India another species is widespread, “Serratum” also known as “Huperzia” that lately some classify as a genre apart from lycopods.
Lycopodium clavatum is used in Homeopathy and pyrotechnics.

  • In homeopathy Lycopodium is indicated for bowel disorders in general and in particular, for constipation, as well as problems related to metabolism. It is also used for diseases of the urinary tract. The Lycopodium subject generally has a ravenous appetite that calms down quickly, just after eating a few bites, furthermore, during the night, one wakes up with a feeling of weakness and hunger. Indigestion, feeling of fullness after eating, belching and heartburn, abdominal distention with a lot of gas. Chronic constipation with ineffectual urge. They are individuals with a cerebral active life, but with a sedentary lifestyle. Aging appearance, impotence, feeling of inferiority.
  • A specific memory loss: the individual is unable to find the right words to express himself/herself: he/she confuses words and syllables. While writing he/she forgets letters, words. Generally it is a weary person, who works hard, extremely irritable, speaks with vehemence, has outbursts of anger and disturbance from celebral difficulties the brain and translate into the bad state of the liver and kidneys. It is frequently the biliary and renal lithiasis. These individuals often have a sharp pain like a sharp stone under their heels, creating walking difficulty.
  • In Chinese herbal medicine a diverse Lycopodio is used: the Lycopodium serratum or Huperzia serrata, a plant native to China and India. Used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine as an antipyretic, diuretic and in the treatment of menstrual irregularities. The main constituent of Huperzia serrata is Huperzine A, an alkaloid that seems to be able to slow down the development of Alzheimer’s disease and is also used in the treatment of age-related cognitive decline. The intensive exploitation of this moss,that grows very slowly, has led to near extinction of the plant. Seth Herzon, coordinator of the American scientific team, has artificially produced composed and states that, “The enzyme is able to prevent or at least slow down the loss of memory in patients with Alzheimer’s; it also appears to be a valuable ally to combat potentially harmful chemical agents to the human body.”