Lycopodium

Club moss / Wolfsclaw

Lycopodium clavatum

This plant's root was said to bear a resemblance to a wolf's foot, hence its folk name "wolf's claw," and Latin name, from the Greek lykos, or "wolf" and podos, or "foot." The plant has been used medicinally since the Middle Ages. Since the 17th century, the spores alone were given for gout and urine retention. Modern herbalists use the spores externally for wounds and eczema. Proved by Hahnemann in 1828, the remedy is used for digestive disorders and anxiety.

Lycopodium is prescribed when anticipatory anxiety features strongly in the psychological symptoms. Lack of confidence is often hidden by a veneer of arrogance or sarcasm. There is a dislike of close company, but also of being left alone.

Physical symptoms usually focus on digestive problems, with excessive bloating and gas. Complaints are often right-sided, or move from the right to the left of the body. Another typical physical trait, poor physical stamina, is often worse in the afternoons. Desire for sweet foods is common. Lycopodium is also used for kidney and prostate problems, headaches, and chest infections.

Uses

To create the homeopathic remedy, Lycopodium pollen is extracted from the spores and diluted with milk sugar.
Lycopodium alleviates digestive complaints, for example, constant nausea; vomiting; ravenous hunger followed by discomfort after eating a small amount; a distended, bloated abdomen with gas; constipation; and bleeding hemorrhoids.
In men, Lycopodium is given for an enlarged prostate and reddish urine with a sandy sediment in it caused by kidney stones. It is also used to treat increased libido with an inability to achieve or sustain an erection.
Lycopodium is effective for neuralgia-type headaches; sore throats that are worse from cold drinks; persistent, dry coughs; tiredness from flu; chronic fatigue syndrome; hair loss; and psoriasis on the hands. Emotional problems caused by insecurity, such as nervousness, anxiety, impatience, cowardice, fear of being alone, insomnia, talking and laughing during sleep, night fears, and fear on waking are all helped by this remedy.

Anxiety - fear of inferiority and of failing, despite an air of quiet self-possession. Such fears may lead to exaggeration of the truth to bolster self-esteem. Anticipatory anxiety, such as fear of public speaking, exams, or stage fright, often leads to digestive disorders. Low self-esteem may result from poor memory or dyslexia. An aversion to change is often due to the challenges it brings. The demands of emotional commitment may be avoided, possibly resulting in sexual problems such as promiscuity, frigidity, or erectile dysfunction.

Digestive disorders - indigestion caused by anticipatory anxiety, eating late at night, or eating foods that can cause gas, such as onions, cabbage, and beans. There may be a rumbling, bloated abdomen due to acrid, sour gas, insatiable hunger with discomfort after eating even small amounts of food.

Urogenital problems - urine with a sandy sediment due to kidney stones, or genital herpes. An enlarged prostate in men may be helped by the remedy.

Chest infections - dry, sore, tickling cough, burning chest pain, and fast, labored breathing, which may be worse when lying on the back. The throat is swollen and sore, notably on the right side. Thick, yellow catarrh may cause severe congestion.

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