Toothed clubmoss is an herb. 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.
Is It Effective?
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
- 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.
Is it Safe?
Toothed clubmoss might help increase the level of a brain chemical that is low in patients with memory disorders. It may also protect brain cells against certain poisons.
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.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
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.
Drying medications (Anticholinergic drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Toothed 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)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Toothed 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.
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
There are no known interactions with foods.
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.
Chinese Club Moss, Huperzia serrata, Huperazon, Licopodio Chino, Lycopode Chinois, Lycopodio Chinois, Lycopodium serrata, Qian Ceng Ta.
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