Fern (plant) - Useful Properties And Uses Of Fern. Indoor Fern, Thai, Male, Indian

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

Fern

Useful properties and use of indoor fern

Useful properties of fern

Fern belongs to a rare category of plants that do not have seeds. However, sori are located on the lower part of the plant. Due to such spores, fern reproduction is carried out. The leaves of this ancient plant are complex because they have a pinnately dissected appearance. Such a herbaceous perennial grows from 30 to 90 cm in height.

Since this plant reproduces by spores, it is not typical for it to bloom. Spore maturation is somewhat similar to flowering. Some plant species throw out elongated leaves that look like flower clusters when they open up in hot weather. The fern has thick brown rhizomes with many adventitious roots. For use in traditional medicine, the roots are harvested in mid-September. Such a delightful plant is found in Central Asia, Mexico, Finland and Norway, as well as in Russia. It prefers various woodlands.

The main medicinal purpose of the fern can be called the fight against all kinds of intestinal parasites. The chemical composition of the plant includes various acids and phloroglucinol derivatives. Since such substances are considered poisons, they cause a certain paralysis of the muscles in numerous parasites. For the treatment of rheumatism, an aqueous extract of rhizomes is applied externally. In addition, such a wonderful remedy is effective for ulcers, cramps and purulent wounds.

Fern application

For the treatment of various ailments, not only the roots are used, but also the aerial parts of the plant. The high content of alkaloids and various acids in the rhizomes makes them a very effective remedy for relieving pain in the gastrointestinal tract. A decoction of the herb is indicated for the complex therapy of cough and various painful sensations in the joints. The powder from the roots has the strongest antihelminthic properties, thanks to which it is used not only in the fight against parasites, but also relieves congestion in the spleen and in the intestines.

It should be noted that such a miraculous broth will help get rid of diarrhea and tinnitus, and is also prescribed for the treatment of jaundice, colds, eczema and abscesses. With the help of this plant, you can quickly stop hemorrhoidal bleeding and restore the psyche in case of serious nervous disorders. In addition, the fern can easily deal with malaria. To prepare a decoction from rhizomes, you will need 10 grams of well-dried raw materials and 200 grams of boiling water. After a long boil, you can take the product with a small addition of honey, 1 teaspoon each.

In order to prepare an external drug, we take 50 grams of dry fern rhizomes for 3 liters of water, boil them for at least two hours, after which you can treat the affected skin or take a bath with such a decoction.

Such wonderful remedies help to cure varicose veins, relieve the inflammation of the sciatic nerve, and help get rid of rheumatism and cramps of the calf muscles. Depending on the course of the disease, the duration of the course of treatment can be up to three weeks.

Fern leaf

The presented plant is covered with a huge number of scaly leaves. Quite large leaves of a pinnately complex type emerge from the unusual top of the rhizome. They are wrapped in a snail-like fashion. In early autumn, amazing sporangia with spores develop on the underside of each leaf. When fully ripe, the spores spill out, due to which the fern reproduces.

Fern root

The beneficial properties of the fern root can surprise even modern doctors, since it is in this part of the plant that unique medicinal components accumulate. Fern roots are an excellent detoxifier due to their cleansing effect. With the help of plant roots, a wide variety of ailments can be successfully treated. These include eczema, ulcers, large wounds, rheumatism, chronic constipation, headaches, and more. Moreover, the unusually healing rhizomes even tend to quickly restore the full functioning of the cardiovascular system.

Fern species

In nature, there are various types of the presented plant.

Indoor fern. Indoor ferns attract attention with their interesting carved leaves. In terms of decorativeness and beauty, they have no equal among other indoor plants. Indoor nephrolepis has feathery leaves reaching a length of 70 cm. The graceful appearance of Asplenium is distinguished by delicate segmented leaves and goblet rhizomes. At home, ferns require frequent spraying with plain water. They do not like direct sunlight and temperatures below 16 ° C heat. Watering ferns requires moderate, without drying out the soil.

The fern is Thai. The Thai fern is a magnificent aquarium plant with long, thin rhizomes and lanceolate bright green leaves of complex shape. As a rule, such a plant does not grow more than 30 cm. For normal plant development, heating the aquarium in the winter and cooling in the hot season is required. There is no need to change the water frequently. With sufficient light, the Thai fern is covered with large leaves of a rich green hue. As a rule, one powerful incandescent lamp is enough for this, which will illuminate the aquarium for at least 12 hours.

Fern is male. The male fern is a herbaceous perennial that grows up to 100 cm tall. It has a powerful rhizome and large leaves, collected in a bunch. The plate of each sheet has an elongated shape with branching pointed cuts. Sporangia with numerous spores are located on the underside along the venation in two rows. Male fern spores from July to August. This species grows well in shady damp places in pine forests and among bushes. An excellent extract is obtained from fresh rhizomes of such a plant.

Indian fern. The Indian fern is common in tropical areas around the globe. It is one of the most popular aquarium plants. Its beautiful, finely cut leaves have a delicate green tint. As a rule, this species grows no more than 50 cm. The Indian fern is optimal for small aquariums. When the temperature drops below 20 ° C, the growth of the plant slows down significantly, and the leaves become very small. Protect the Indian fern from direct sunlight, but provide bright artificial light for extended periods.

Fern is red. Red fern is distinguished by young leaves, which have a special reddish color. They have a longer and wider shape. The height of the red fern reaches no more than 30 cm with a width of about 15 cm. The ideal conditions for keeping this species are temperatures ranging from 20 to 30 ° C, medium water hardness and a spacious aquarium. Keep in mind that this fern grows very slowly, but does not require special care.

The fern is tropical. This type of fern grows up to 20 cm in height and has solid adventitious roots. In some plants, such adventitious roots form a kind of "skirt" around a powerful trunk. Vine-shaped tropical ferns climb high in trees where there is a lot of sunshine. Mossy tropical ferns live in small damp pits. They absorb moisture with their lacy leaves. Various tropical plant species also live in shady forests with high humidity.

Arboreal fern. The tree fern easily adapts to unusual conditions, but it does not like cold weather and strong winds. Such a plant prefers a warm climate. As a rule, it is found in many damp forests, sometimes it chooses lakes and swamps. The tree fern thrives especially well in subtropical forests. A complex system of branches and pre-shoots forms long pointed leaves. Leaf plates do not join together, creating dense thickets. This species reproduces, like other ferns, with the help of spores.

Water fern. The water fern is widespread in Northern Australia and Southeast Asia. Small populations of the plant are found in Central America and Tanzania. This plant is very popular among modern aquarists due to its long, finely dissected leaves of a bright green hue. In favorable conditions, the water fern can reach 50 cm. The optimal temperature for this species is considered to be about 25 ° C of heat, the lighting can be an artificial source of light. This type of fern reproduces by the formation of small daughter plants on the old maternal leaves.

Forest fern. The group of forest fern species includes such varieties as the common ostrich, kochedyzhnik, shitnikov, mnogoryadnik, leaflet, bracken.

They are distinguished by beautiful funnel-shaped rosettes of leaves, a rich shade and ease of maintenance. Forest fern ostrich grows well on waterlogged soils and fairly open places. In the height of summer, forest ferns look like chic green fountains. Kochedzhnik is represented by spreading bunches of leaves with short scales. It is a winter-hardy species that is quite adapted to the Russian climate. Forest fern species prefer moist, nutritious soils. Leaves of many species have a powerful bactericidal effect.

Contraindications to the use of fern

Due to the fact that the plant is poisonous, preparations containing fern should be taken under the strict supervision of a doctor. In case of kidney and liver disease, as well as with a stomach ulcer, the use of fern is contraindicated.

The author of the article: Sokolova Nina Vladimirovna | Phytotherapist

Education: Diploma in "General Medicine" and "Therapy" received at the Pirogov University (2005 and 2006). Advanced training at the Department of Phytotherapy at the Peoples' Friendship University of Moscow (2008).