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
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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.
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