Don’t confuse club moss (Lycopodium clavatum) with Chinese club moss (L. chensis), while both are used to treat fevers, pain, and swelling, only Chinese club moss contains the constituent huperzine A, which is a compound identified with helping to treat memory.
Club moss is not an actual moss. It is a vascular plant with fluid-conducting tissues that mosses do not have. It is a perennial evergreen more closely related to ferns.
Club mosses evolved around 410 million years ago, even before higher plants or dinosaurs appeared on the Earth. Modern species only grow to be several inches tall, their ancestors grew as tall as 135 feet.
Club moss spores and teas made from the plant’s leaves have been used since ancient times in Native American, Chinese, and European cultures to treat urinary tract infections, induce labor in pregnancy, relieve headaches, and ease digestive tract issues.
Chinese club moss has also long been used to treat swelling and improve circulation, supporting memory and cognitive function.
