Lycopodium
Lycopodium: A person who needs this remedy has frequent indigestion with gas and bloating, and many problems involving the bowels. Rubbing the abdomen or drinking something warm may help to relieve the symptoms. A craving for sweets and an energy slump in late afternoon and early evening are strong indications for Lycopodium.
Lycopodium (Lycopodium clavatum) is a perennial evergreen plant that grows in pastures, woodlands, heaths, and moors of Great Britain, Northern Europe, and North America. It has a slender stem that trails along the ground and vertical branches that grow to 3-4 in (7.5-10 cm). The plant belongs to the Lycopodiaceae family and is related to mosses and ferns. It is often called club moss. Other names include wolf’s claw, stag horn, witch meal, and vegetable sulfur.
The pale yellow pollen collected from the spores is used to make the homeopathic remedy called lycopodium. The pollen is odorless, water resistant, and highly flammable. For this reason, it used to be a component of fireworks. It was also used to create a coating for pills.
Early physicians used the plant to stimulate the appetite and to promote urination and the excretion of other body fluids. Lycopodium was also used in the treatment of flatulence, rheumatism, gout, lung ailments, and diseases of children and young girls. In the 17th century the pollen was used as an internal remedy for diarrhea, dysentery, and rheumatism. Externally, the pollen was a treatment for wounds and diseases of the skin such as eczema. The whole plant was used to heal kidney ailments.
General use
Lycopodium is prescribed by homeopaths for both acute and chronic ailments such as earaches, sore throats, digestive disorders, urinary tract difficulties, hepatitis, prostatitis, and eye conditions. The remedy acts on soft tissues, blood vessels, bones, joints, and the liver and heart. This polychrest is also recommended in the treatment of back pain, bedwetting, fevers, food poisoning , mouth ulcers, mumps, colds, muscle cramps, constipation, coughs, cystitis, gas, sciatica, gout, skin conditions, and joint pain. It is often indicated in the early stages of pneumonia.
Polychrest: an herbal or homeopathic remedy that is used for multiple ailments, and is effective for each.
Persons who need lycopodium generally have a craving for sweets, desire warm drinks, have little thirst, and desire fresh air. They are frequently constipated and suffer from hemorrhoids.
Lycopodium is available at health food and drug stores in various potencies in the form of tinctures, tablets, and pellets.
Side effects
There are no specific side effects, but individual aggravations may occur.
Interactions
When taking any homeopathic remedy, it is advised to avoid peppermint products, coffee, or alcohol. These products may cause the remedy to be ineffective.
Article sources: BNET & Truestarhealth.com both quote from the Encyclopedia of Health & the Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine. Complete article found on Answers.com.
