Lycopodium clavatum is one of the most important constitutional remedies of Homeopathy, with long and deep action. This remedy acts on the whole person and its general structure, but its main sphere of action concerns the digestive system, in particular the liver and its functionality.
Lycopodium clavatum: The plant
Lycopodium clavatum, also called Lycopodium or Witch Grass, is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Licopodiaceae family.
The plant grows mostly in the Alps and the Apennines of Central Italy, prefers cool places such as woods and non-sunny meadows. Outside our country it is also present in Asia, North America and southern Africa, in particular where there is the presence of acidic and siliceous soils.
The name comes from the Greek and is composed of lycus (ie “wolf”) and podium (ie “foot”), because it refers to the similarity of young branches to a “wolf’s foot”. The name clavatum derives instead from the Latin “clava” and refers to the shape of the terminal spikes, referred to in the description below.
As the name suggests, the plant has a curious shape: its main stem is creeping on the ground, reaches a maximum height of about 1 meter and has a very slow growth, so much so that it can take about 30 years to reach the maximum height. The fertile branches are erect and end with 1 or 3 long ears of triangular bracts that enclose the sporangia containing numerous spores. This plant is devoid of flowers and reproduces through spores even if its fertility is very low.
Inside the spores not yet mature there are alkaloids, the main ones are: lycopodin, clavatine and clavatoxin.
Lycopodium clavatum : medical uses in the past asd beyond
Lycopodium has been used in the medical field since the Middle Ages. The dust of its spores contains in fact fatty substances and different alkaloids to which the medicinal properties of the plant are attributed.
Also called “witches’ flour”, spore powder was used in folk medicine against gastric and urinary disorders, against gout, as a sedative, antispasmodic, diuretic, laxative.
Currently it is still used for external use as a decongestant and calming agent in dermatitis and skin irritations in general and also for children’s hygiene. In phytotherapy, on the other hand, it is used on wounds and eczema.
Due to its characteristic of being easily flammable, Lycopodium powder is also used for the realization of fireworks or fake explosions for scenographic purposes (for this reason it is called “vegetable sulfur”). In the past, however, it was used to cause the flashes of the cameras.
Lycopodium clavatum : homeopathic remedy
The homeopathic remedy Lycopodium clavatum is a polycrestus used for a wide range of physical and psychological symptoms.
It finds application in the acute phase, although it is mainly used for the treatment of chronic problems.
The remedy is obtained from the Mother Tincture of the spore powder of the plant and from the subsequent dilutions-dynamizations in hydroalcoholic solution.
Lycopodium clavatum has a stimulating action on the digestive and draining systems of the liver.
Lycopodium clavatum is mainly used when the following disorders occur:
- feeling of abdominal weight
- meteorism
- spastic constipation
- bladder tenesmus
- dry stools and poor defecation
Lycopodium clavatum stimulates the metabolism and activity of the excretory systems. It is extremely effective in case of lack of vitamins, mineral salts and excessive weight loss, because it helps the body to assimilate food.
Intestinal problems and homeopathy
Intestinal problems – such as irritable bowel, colitis, constipation, abdominal weight – are a benign disorder, recordable in 15-20% of the general population.
Despite this can cause a series of debilitating disorders, there are those who mainly accuse diarrhea, those who, instead, are afflicted by constipation, while in other people the two problems alternate.
The intestine is not affected by material damage but simply does not work as it should. Irritable bowel syndrome, in particular, is more frequent in women between the ages of 20 and 40. The causes that determine it are many, among them there are: genetic factors, incongruous eating habits, sedentary lifestyle, the emotionality of the person.
Despite the chronicity, the disorder never results in any complications. Homeopathy in these cases can be a valid ally; in particular, the remedy Lycopodium clavatum is indicated for those subjects, mostly anxious and authoritarian, who suffer from digestive difficulties characterized by a sense of satiety already after the first bites, meteorism localized especially in the lower part of the abdomen with intolerance for constrictions and congestion of the face after the meal.
Lycopodium clavatum: constitutional type
In general, the constitutional subject Lycopodium clavatum suffers from various gastrointestinal symptoms, presents a susceptible mood and does not have self-confidence. It is therefore no coincidence that the remedy Lycopodium clavatum is an important drug of the liver and gastroenteric system.
It is mainly indicated for subjects who have certain characteristics:
Mental symptoms
It is, basically, an insecure subject. However, the sense of insecurity is often manifested through an authoritarian attitude, sometimes arrogant (especially with family members), which cannot stand contradiction. It also has an aversion to even trivial noises and is easy to emotion. Commitments scare him, he is afraid to speak in public and “not to make it”.
Particular signs
The subject suffers from heartburn, acid belching, constant liver failure, cracking (even eczema) and cuts on the heels, marked wrinkles on the forehead, signs of premature aging.
In addition, in the subject Lycopodium clavatum most of the symptoms concern the right hemisome and are aggravated in the morning, while they improve in the late evening and in the open air.
Basically, he is a cold person and, from a food point of view, he has a desire for sweets, alcohol and hot drinks. Its symptoms worsen with foods such as: cold drinks, seafood, onions and cabbage. It has an abundant appetite even if, after a few bites, it feels swollen and satiated.
