An evergreen and perennial plant, 10-30 cm tall, with a weakly developed root system. Stems erect or elevated, forked branched. The age of plant sod can exceed 100 years, every year the sod increases by 1-4 cm. Leaves (phylloids) multifaceted, up to 1 mm wide, dark green, lanceolate or linear-lanceolate, sharp, leathery, hard, spirally arranged on the stem. Spores do not form cobs. The spore carriers are round, develop in the middle and upper leaf margins - they are difficult to recognize because they do not differ from vegetative leaves in terms of shape, size and color. The spores mature in July-August, but it directly depends on the climate zone. Gametophytes bisexual, support numerous antheridia and archegonia.

The above-ground part of the plant is used for medicinal purposes. The surface part is collected in August-September, after the spore period. Cut both green and yellowing shoots. Do not uproot them under any circumstances, because the root system regenerates for a long time.

The collected plants are dried in a well-ventilated room by spreading them on a cloth or a fine mesh, and they can also be dried in forced dryers at a temperature not exceeding 50C. Store finished drug in paper bags, away from other drugs. The drug can be stored for up to 3 years.

Fir clubmoos contains a large amount of alkaloids (lycopodine, nicotine, annotinine, clavatine, pseudoselagine, acrifoline clavatoxine, selagine, selagonene, seratidine, huperazine, etc.), flavonoids, resins, mucilages, glycosides, protein and pectin compounds, dozens of seratan-type triterpene compounds, organic acids and fatty acids, which consist of glycerides of oleic, palmitic, and other acids.

A non-drying oil based on triglycerides of oleic acid, stearic acid, palmitic acid, arachinic acid has been found in the spores of the decoction.

Medicinal significance

The chemical composition of the potion also ensures its effect, first of all, it is already intelligent, pioptic and debilitating. When using the plant orally, sweating, diarrhea, convulsions, dizziness, speech disorders can be observed, when used together with alcohol, the vomiting reflex also appears - it is often used when dishonestly treating someone from alcoholism (it should only be used on oneself!!!)

In folk medicine, this plant is mainly used to wean yourself off alcohol. This plant is also used in complex therapy against pulmonary tuberculosis, diseases of the urinary system, neurasthenia, glaucoma, convulsions, metabolic disorders, as well as as a laxative, diuretic, anti-inflammatory agent in case of cystitis, also as an anti-helminthic and anti-tumor agent.

Externally, conjunctivitis, baldness, various skin diseases - dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, etc. are treated with this plant.

Not recommended for use

You should know that potions are very poisonous. A decoction or concentration, when used incorrectly, causes vomiting, a drop in blood pressure, arrhythmia, sweating, diarrhea, speech disorders, breathing disorders and many other serious consequences.

This plant should only be used under the supervision of a specialist, who will also help prevent the consequences.

The plant should not be used for mental illness, ischemic disease, hemorrhoidal bleeding, brain disease, heart disease, atherosclerosis, liver disease, pneumosclerosis, aortic aneurysm, coronary insufficiency, diabetes, bronchial asthma, epilepsy, gastric and duodenal ulcers, kidney disease, age after 60 years and children up to 18 years, pregnancy, lactation and other cases!

First aid

In case of poisoning, a physically severe condition will occur, with repeated vomiting (5-8 times), increased salivation, increased sweating, heart muscle fibrillation will begin, arterial blood pressure will decrease and arrhythmia will begin.

Initially, it is necessary to remove the poison from the body and reduce its ability to be absorbed. For this purpose, it is necessary to drink large quantities of lightly salted water (4-5 glasses) and induce vomiting. Potassium permanganate can also be used in small quantities to oxidize poisonous substances. Activated charcoal is used to reduce the absorption of poison. It is preferable to perform a cleansing enema. 

As soon as possible, it is desirable to hand over the poisoned person to the hands of the medics, so that they can be provided with full-fledged care.