Dennstaedtia
punctilobula, Hay-Scented Fern
While I can find
little medicinal use for Hay-Scented Fern, it has been used as a
potpourri and in sachets. Henry David Thoreau described it as
“nature’s perfume.”
Plants of The
Cherokee informs us that this fern was used in a formula for chills:
“A
warm infusion made of the roots of several ferns: Maidenhair Fern
(Adiantum pedatum), Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides),
Brittle Fern (Cystopteris fragilis), Hay Scented Fern (Dennstaedtia
punctiloba) and Cinnamon Fern (Osmunda cinnamomea) are blown upon the
person from the east, north west and south in succession, four times
in the morning for four days….” An incantation is said by the
healer.
(photo: By Jaknouse at the English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=31727785)
Dryopteris
barbigera, Dryopteris blandfordii ns Dryopteris carthusiana,
Dryopteris odontoloma
The various species
of Dryopteris seem to have been used interchangeably by the Cherokee
or at least, those that were native to their region of North America.
Plants of The Cherokee tells us of Dryopteris spp:
A root decotion
is drunk to produce vomiting. A root decotion, sometimes mixed with
other plants, is rubbed on the skin for rheumatism after preliminary
scratching. A warm decoction is held in the mouth to relive
toothache.
Plants for A Future
gives us a description of medicinal use of these ferns, along with
their usually warning:
The root contains
about 2.1% "filicin", a substance that paralyses tapeworms
and other internal parasites and has been used as a worm expellent.
It is one of the most effective treatments known for tapeworms - its
use should be immediately followed by a non-oily purgative such as
magnesium sulphate in order to expel the worms from the body. An oily
purge, such as caster oil, increases the absorption of the fern root
and can be dangerous. The root is harvested in the autumn and can be
dried for later use, it should not be stored for longer than 12
months. This remedy should be used with caution and only under the
supervision of a qualified practitioner. The root is toxic and the
dosage is critical. See also the notes above on toxicity.
Although we have
found no reports for this species, a number of ferns contain
carcinogens so some caution is advisable. The fresh plant contains
thiaminase, an enzyme that robs the body of its vitamin B complex. In
small quantities this enzyme will do no harm to people eating an
adequate diet that is rich in vitamin B, though large quantities can
cause severe health problems. The enzyme is destroyed by heat or
thorough drying, so cooking the plant will remove the thiaminase.
However, there have been reports for other species of ferns
suggesting that even cooked fronds can have a long term harmful
effect. Some caution is therefore advised.
It seems Dryopteris
schimperiana contains twice as much filicin as those listed above,
so if used, the uses are the same but it should be used with even
greater caution.
This article is an excerpt from
Medicinal Ferns and Fern Allies, an Herbalist's Guide https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/11/medicinal-ferns-and-fern-allies.html
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Disclaimer
The information on this site is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease or condition. Nothing on this site has been evaluated or approved by the FDA. I am not a doctor. The US government does not recognize the practice of herbal medicine and their is no governing body regulating herbalists. Therefore, I'm just a guy who studies herbs. I am not offering any advice. I won't even claim that anything I write is accurate or true! I can tell you what herbs have "traditionally been used for." I can tell you my own experience and if I believe an herb helped me. I cannot, nor would I tell you to do the same. If you use any herb I, or anyone else, mentions you are treating yourself. You take full responsibility for your health. Humans are individuals and no two are identical. What works for me may not work for you. You may have an allergy, sensitivity or underlying condition that no one else shares and you don't even know about. Be careful with your health. By continuing to read my blog you agree to be responsible for yourself, do your own research, make your own choices and not to blame me for anything, ever.
