Maidenhair Fern
February 23rd, 2007 by admin
Maidenhair Fern
Adiantum capillus-veneris
Maidenhair Fern
Rock Fern
Venus’- hair Fern
A plant of great delicacy, maidenhair fern has a thin, polished, black main leafstalk and fanlike leaflets supported by stalks as fine as hair. The plant has a gossamer look that makes it in demand for dried flower arrangements. Maidenhair fern prefers a wet environment, usually growing in limestone soils dampened by waterfall spray. Water runs off its foliage with the result that, even after being immersed in water, it emerges with dry leaves-hence its scientific name, Adiantum, meaning “unwetted.” The fern′s association with hair gave rise to an old belief that drinking a tea made from the plant could keep hair from falling out. Unhappily, it has no such powers.
A tea from the fresh plant has been used as an expectorant in treating coughs since the time of the ancient Greeks. Later herbalists prescribed maidenhair fern for more serious respiratory conditions, such as pleurisy, but with less success, for it is not a potent plant. Maidenhair fern was also employed to promote menstruation and as a mild diuretic.
A relative is the northern maidenhair (A. pedatum), which has a somewhat forked stalk, as opposed to the single stalk of A. capillusveneris, also called southern maidenhair fern.
PARTS USED
Aerial parts.
USES
Still used by Western herbalists to treat coughs, bronchitis, excess mucus, sore throat, and chronic nasal congestion, maidenhair fern also has a longstanding reputation as a remedy for conditions of the hair and scalp.
HABITAT AND CULTIVATION
Native to Europe and North America, maidenhair fern grows in moist, shady sites.
CONSTITUENTS
Maidenhair fern contains flavonoids (including rutin and isoquercitin), terpenoids (including adiantone), a tannin, and mucilage.
APPLICATIONS
LEAVES:
FLUID EXTRACT - An extract of the fresh leaves is marketed in Europe for treating cerebral arteriosclerosis in the elderly and for diseases of the peripheral circulation.
TINCTURE - Combine with other cardiovascular herbs, such as greater periwinkle and lime flower, for circulatory problems, or with king’s clover for venous disorders.
INFUSION - Make with 50 g dried leaves to 500 ml water, and take for arteriosclerosis and varicose conditions. Use as a wash for varicose ulcers or hemorrhoids.
SEEDS:
DECOCTION - Combine with herbs such as ma huang, elecampane, or mulberry leaves for asthma and severe or persistent coughs: 3 - 4 seeds are enough for three doses.
MAIDENHAIR FERN SYRUP
Equal parts, dried and crumbled.
* 2 cups (40 g) fresh maidenhair fern leaves
* 4 cups (1 liter) water
* 2 cups (500 ml) unpasteurized honey
Boil the plant in the water for 3 minutes, cover and infuse for 3 hours. Strain the decoction, and then gently melt the honey, without bringing to a boil, for 5 minutes. Pour the mixture into a glass bottle. Store in the refrigerator and consume within 2 months at a rate of 1 to 2 T (15 to 30 ml) diluted in water, 3 times daily. Take in the event of chronic pulmonary disease, anemia or persistent skin disorders. This gentle treatment can be followed for 1 month without risk, by adding other, more caustic pectoral plants such as horseradish or wild thyme, but in small quantities.
Posted in A Herbs, M HErbs, R Herbs, V HErbs |
