Encyclopedia of Homeopathy

MAJOR PLANT REMEDIES• 59Lycopodium clavatumLYCOPODIUMKEY SYMPTOMS anticipatory anxiety • lack of self-esteem • flatulence and constipation• desire for sweet foods • person feels worse between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.This plant’s root was said to bear a resemblance to a wolf’s foot, henceits folk name “wolf’s claw,” and Latin name, from the Greek lykos,or “wolf” and podos, or “foot.” The plant has been used medicinallysince the Middle Ages. Since the 17th century, the spores alonewere given for gout and urine retention. Modern herbalists usethe spores externally for wounds and eczema. Provedby Hahnemann in 1828, the remedy is used fordigestive disorders and anxiety.REMEDY PROFILELycopodium is prescribed when anticipatoryanxiety features strongly in the psychologicalsymptoms. Lack of confidence is often hiddenby a veneer of arrogance or sarcasm. There isa dislike of close company, but also of beingleft alone.Physical symptoms usually focus ondigestive problems, with excessive bloatingand gas. Complaints are often right-sided,or move from the right to the left of the body.Another typical physical trait, poor physicalstamina, is often worse in the afternoons.Desire for sweet foods is common. Lycopodiumis also used for kidney and prostate problems,headaches, and chest infections.AnxietySYMPTOMS Fear of inferiority and of failing,despite an air of quiet self-possession. Suchfears may lead to exaggeration of the truthto bolster self-esteem. Insomnia, talking andlaughing while asleep, and night fears aretypical, as is apprehension on waking.Anticipatory anxiety, such as fear of publicspeaking, exams, or stage fright, oftenleads to digestive disorders (see right). Lowself-esteem may result from poor memoryor dyslexia. An aversion to change is oftendue to the challenges it brings. Thedemands of emotional commitment may beavoided, possibly resulting in sexualproblems such as promiscuity, frigidity,or erectile dysfunction.Symptoms better For warmth; for being active;for gentle exercise in fresh air; for warm foodsand drinks.Straggly stem iscovered withshiny, scaly leavesSPORESSymptoms worse For extreme heat or cold; forstuffy rooms; for being inactive; between4 p.m. and 8 p.m.Digestive disordersSYMPTOMS Indigestion caused by anticipatoryanxiety (see left), eating late at night, or eatingfoods 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 eatingeven small amounts of food, nausea, vomiting,constipation, and bleeding hemorrhoids.Symptoms better For cool air; at night; forloose clothes; for movement; for warm foodsand drinks.Symptoms worse For tight clothes; between4 a.m. and 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.; forovereating; for cold foods and drinks.Urogenital problemsSYMPTOMS Urine with a sandy sediment due tokidney stones, or genital herpes. An enlargedprostate in men may be helped by the remedy.Symptoms better At night; for cool, fresh air;for being active; for warm foods and drinks.Symptoms worse For heat; between 4 p.m.and 8 p.m.Chest infectionsSYMPTOMS Dry, sore, tickling cough, burningchest pain, and fast, labored breathing, whichmay be worse when lying on the back. TheScaly spikes shoot up insummer, developingtips of yellowspore casesCLUB MOSS This planthas water-repellent sporesthat are used to stop pillsfrom sticking together.SOURCE DETAILSSPRIGORIGINNative to temperate areas throughout theNorthern Hemisphere, and commonly foundgrowing on moorland and in mountainousareas and forests.BACKGROUNDTraditionally used for antibacterial andsedative action, it has also been given byherbalists as a digestive, a diuretic, to treatkidney stones, and to lower fever.PREPARATIONThe spikes are cut in summer and theirspores are collected. These are thensteeped in alcohol for at least fivedays, before being filtered, diluted,and succussed.COMMON NAMESClub moss, wolf’s claw, stag’s-horn moss,running pine, lamb’s tail, fox tail, witchmeal, vegetable sulfur.throat is swollen and sore, notably on theright side. Thick, yellow catarrh may causesevere congestion.Symptoms better For loose clothes; for coolair; at night; for warm foods and drinks.Symptoms worse For stuffy rooms; for tightclothes; between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.; for fastingor overeating; for cold drinks.See also Prostate problems, page 202; Bloating & flatulence, page 236; Erectile dysfunction, page 264