Page 10 - Winter 20-21

8
Lycopodium Clavatum
Synthesis of the work of Jacques Milemann with additions by Edward De Beukelaer
Substance
The remedy is prepared from the spores of Lycopodium clavatum (club moss or Stag-horn). It is a very primitive plant not producing flowers. It grows slowly on acid humid soil. The spores are very fine and can easily catch fire when brought near a flame. They were used as an ingredient for the production of blue light in pyrotechnics.
Lycopodium is now a small plant but it used to be big, growing as trees many millennia ago. Huge forests of Lycopodium existed. Much of the coal that is mined has its origins in the Lycopodium forests.The plant is not considered to be toxic. It has been used as an inert powder to dry out erythema of baby buttocks or treat cases of intertrigo.
Homeopathy
(Note: I have limited this part to what seems relevant to veterinary info only.)
General action: according to Jacques it one of our greatest polychrests because of its clear influence on the portal system, causing reduced nutrition and oxygenation of the hepatic cells. As a consequence, both nutrition and detoxification are affected. The type of patient will have digestive issues, an enlarged abdomen and tend to be overall rather thin. Timidity, sensitivity, aversion to people, all the while not being able to be without, but keeping a proud attitude.
More on the type of Lycopodium
• ‘’I need somebody I do not need to speak to’’ (Marc Brunson). He needs company on which he can assert his authority but does not want them too close, which will remind him of his weakness. I.e. a dog that stays in the corridor while everybody else is in the living room.
• Need to be valued and even can have a desire to dominate but they are very aware of their own weaknesses and therefore can be cowards.
• Combination of weakness and provocateur. Their initial reactions can be aggressive.
• Poor digestion: affection of the liver.
Main syndromes
• Anorexia in new-borns: new-borns refusing to drink milk or suckle.