Toothed Clubmoss

Scientific Names

Toothed Clubmoss

Huperzia serrata
Lycopodium serratum
Urostachys serratus
Huperzia selago

Common Names

Toothed Clubmoss

Chinese Club Moss

Qian Ceng Ta (Chinese)

She Zu Cao (Chinese)

Jin Bu Huan (Chinese)

Shan Zhi (Chinese)

Parts Usually Used

The dried rhizomes, aerial parts, and whole plant.
Back to Top

Toothed Clubmoss

Description of Plant(s) and Culture

Huperzia serrata is a small, stemless, perennial herbaceous plant native to the eastern Himalayas. It grows to a height of 30-50 cm with a 5-15 cm long horizontal to oblique rhizome. The leaves are 5-20 cm long, pinnatifid, with 3-lobed lamina and are glabrous. The inflorescence is panicled with white or yellowish flowers. Fruits are capsules up to 6 mm long containing several black seeds.
Back to Top

Where Found

Native to:

Eastern Asia (China, Tibet, Japan, Korean Peninsula)
Russian Far East
Hawaiian Islands (except Maui)
India (Arunachal Pradesh, Darjeeling, West Bengal, Sikkim)
Nepal
Bhutan

The plant grows at elevations between 1,700-3,000 meters in temperate regions, preferring acidic soil and moist conditions.
Back to Top

Medicinal Properties

Acetylcholinesterase inhibition
Anti-inflammatory
Antimicrobial
Antioxidant
Neuroprotective
Memory enhancement
Pain relief
Antidepressant
Antihypertensive
Antiarrhythmic
Antidiabetic
Antihistaminic
Antidiarrheal

Biochemical Information

Major active compounds include:

Huperzine A (0.8-8.5%)
Huperzine B
Lycopodine
Lycoclavine
Serratinine

Other alkaloids:

Berberine
Palmatine
Jatrorrhizine
Coptisine
Columbamine
Epiberberine

Uses

Traditional medicinal uses include:

In China:

Treatment of fever and inflammation
Memory improvement
Relief from dementia symptoms
Treatment of schizophrenia
Management of blood pressure

In India:

Treatment of contusions and strains
Relief from stomach ailments
Management of bacterial infections
Treatment of eye disorders

Modern clinical applications:

Treatment of Alzheimer’s disease
Management of vascular dementia
Relief from myasthenia gravis
Treatment of cognitive disorders
Neuroprotection

Formulas or Dosages

For Alzheimer’s disease:

200-500 mcg of Huperzine A daily for up to 6 months
Total daily dose range of 0.2-0.8 mg in clinical trials

For vascular dementia:

Total daily dose range of 0.1-0.3 mg

How Sold

Dietary supplements
Capsules
Tablets
Liquid extracts
Powders

Warning

May cause nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, dry mouth, constipation, sweating, and blurred vision
Should not be taken with acetylcholinesterase inhibitor drugs
Use with caution if taking medications for heart conditions
Not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding
May worsen asthma, COPD, seizure disorders, or GI tract blockages
The plant is endangered due to overharvesting and habitat loss
Wild populations are declining rapidly
Sustainable cultivation methods are needed for conservation