Tag: Club moss

Despite some historical medicinal uses, the plant *Lycopodium clavatum* is considered possibly unsafe for human consumption due to several poisonous chemicals it contains. This raises a critical question: is club moss safe to consume for any purpose, or should it be avoided entirely?

Huperzine A is a naturally derived compound that was first isolated from Chinese club moss in the 1980s and is not naturally present in common dietary food items. This fact counters a widespread misconception, as huperzine is a specific alkaloid extracted from plant matter. This article clarifies what food contains huperzine and explains its true origin as a specialized herbal extract.