Background

Clubmoss is an herb. People use the whole plant to make medicine.

People use clubmoss for bladder and kidney disorders, and as a diuretic to increase urine, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Using clubmoss might also be unsafe.

Don't confuse clubmoss with Chinese club moss or fir club moss. Chinese club moss and fir club moss contain a chemical called huperzine A. Clubmoss does not contain this chemical.

Safety Safety definitions

When taken by mouth: Clubmoss is POSSIBLY UNSAFE because it contains several poisonous chemicals. However, so far, no poisonings have been reported.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Clubmoss is POSSIBLY UNSAFE for anyone, including pregnant and breast-feeding women. Don't use it.

Slow heart rate (bradycardia): Clubmoss might slow down the heartbeat. This could be a problem in people who already have a slow heart rate.

Gastrointestinal tract blockage: Clubmoss might cause "congestion" in the intestines. This might cause problems in people who have a blockage in their intestines.

Ulcers: Clubmoss might increase secretions in the stomach and intestines. There is concern that this could worsen ulcers.

Lung conditions: Clubmoss might increase fluid secretions in the lung. There is concern that this could worsen lung conditions such as asthma or emphysema.

Seizures: There is concern that clubmoss might increase the risk of seizures.

Urinary tract obstruction: Clubmoss might increase secretions in the urinary tract. There is concern that this could worsen urinary obstruction.

Effectiveness

Dosing & administration

The appropriate dose of 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 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.

Interactions with pharmaceuticals

Drying medications (Anticholinergic drugs)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Clubmoss might increase levels of certain chemicals in the body that work in the brain, heart, and elsewhere. Some drying medications called "anticholinergic drugs" can decrease levels of these same chemicals. These drying medications might decrease the effects of clubmoss, and clubmoss might decrease the effects of drying medications.

Some of these drying medications include atropine, scopolamine, some medications used for allergies (antihistamines), and some medications used for depression (antidepressants).

Medications for Alzheimer disease (Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Clubmoss might increase certain chemicals in the brain, heart, and elsewhere in the body. Some medications used for Alzheimer disease also affect these chemicals. Taking clubmoss along with medications for Alzheimer disease might increase effects and side effects of medications used for Alzheimer disease.

Various medications used for glaucoma, Alzheimer disease, and other conditions (Cholinergic drugs)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Clubmoss might increase certain chemicals in the brain, heart, and elsewhere in the body. Some medications used for glaucoma, Alzheimer disease, and other conditions also affect these chemicals. Taking 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.

Interactions with herbs & supplements

There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.

Interactions with foods

There are no known interactions with foods.

Action

There isn't enough information available to know how clubmoss works.