bendarli (Tam.) :

Plant growing in native habitat Photograph by: V-wolf

General Use:

Lycopodium is prescribed 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 .

Therapeutic Uses:

A decoction of the plant is analgesic, antirheumatic, carminative, mildly diuretic, stomachic and tonic. It is used internally in the treatment of urinary and kidney disorders, rheumatic arthritis, catarrhal cystitis, gastritis, dysentery, malaria etc. The whole plant is chewed to induce vomiting after food poisoning or acute stomach pain. The sun-dried, pulverized leaves are mixed with plantain and milk, and the mixture is given in small doses to children to cure diarrhoea and dysentery
It is applied externally to skin diseases, wounds, ulcers and irritations. The whole plant is grilled with sugarcane and banana skins and applied to cracked lips to promote healing.
The plant can be harvested all year round and is used fresh or dried

Spores are used as dusting powder and absorbent in excoriations of skin; also as a base for medicated snuff and covering for pills to prevent adhesion.

Systemic Use:

- acidity
– bloating
– colitis
– constipation
– corns
– emaciation
– flatulence
– food allergies
– hair loss
– hemorrhoids
– indigestion
– liver-derangements
– malnutrition
– kidney colic
– kidney disorders
– sciatica

Administration:

• Infusion: An infusion is made with 1/4 liter of boiling water poured over a level teaspoon of Club Moss. 1 cup is taken in small sips, half an hour before breakfast. For malignant diseases of the liver and cirrhosis, 2 cups daily.

• Club Moss Pillow: 100 to 300 gm depending on the size of the area affected by cramp. Stuff the material into a pillow and apply to the aching area overnight. (Pillow retains can be used for a year.)

Pharmacological:

Considered analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, antioxidant, antipruritic, antispasmodic, carminative, decongestant, demulcent, diuretic, emmenagogue, tonic.