They are in the forests, the rocks and the walls, but we rarely look at them. Ferns are indicators of environmental health and a help to ours.
Ferns are lower plants that relate to environments saturated with moisture.
There are about 9,400 different species, spread over almost the entire planet, but they are especially abundant in the wettest regions.
In our latitudes they are modest in size and thrive in the shade of the forest, but in the tropics, they take on magnificent dimensions: they reach arboreal size with heights greater than 15 meters, and their vision transports us to the moving landscape that the dinosaurs could travel in the Jurassic.
Although to a much lesser extent than flowering plants, ferns have been used for medicinal purposes since ancient times.
In this article we highlight five of the most used. Other ferns with application in phytotherapy are: calaguala, deer tongue, common fern, polypodium, male fern, lesser culantrillo, lunaria, snake tongue and horsetails.
CULANTRILLO DE POZO, ALLY OF THE GORGE
The pit culantrillo (Adiantum capillus-veneris L.) appears in rocks, fountains and caves bathed in moisture on calcareous soils. For medicinal purposes, the fronds are harvested, which attract attention for their fan shape, such as ginkgo, and for their light green color.
PROPERTIES OF CULANTRILLO
Due to the shape of the hair of the fronds, it had been used in the past to preserve and give brio to the hair.
Due to its abundance in mucilage, it is demulcent, mucolytic, expectorant and antitussive, as well as anti-inflammatory.
WHAT IS THE CULANTRILLO FOR?
To clear the throat and relieve irritation, it is indicated in respiratory conditions with abundant mucus, in pharyngitis, laryngitis and bronchitis.
It has also been indicated in urinary disorders such as cystitis and to soothe painful menses.
HOW THE CULANTRILLO IS TAKEN
In simple infusion, or combined with mallow and poppy, one tablespoon of the mixture per cup three times a day, after meals.
Also in syrup, tincture and liquid extract.
ROYAL FERN, BONE STRENGTHENING
The royal fern (Osmunda regalis L.), of river banks, is frequent in Western Europe, but scarce in the Iberian Peninsula, restricted to the Bay of Biscay, northern Portugal and other scattered points, such as Montseny. For medicinal purposes its thick and deep root is harvested.
PROPERTIES OF THE ROYAL FERN
Diuretic, anti-inflammatory, demulcent, astringent, vulnerary.
WHAT IS THE ROYAL FERN FOR?
Although little used today and also little studied, it had been used as a restorative remedy in states of weakness and convalescence.
But above all it is considered an ally of bone health, to strengthen them and prevent fractures or dislocations.
It had also been indicated to treat seafarers’ diarrhea and leucorrhoea, as well as jaundice and intestinal parasites, and externally, as a mucosal protector to heal sores, ulcers and burns.
HOW TO TAKE THE ROYAL FERN
In infusion, to which the mucilages give gelatinous appearance, and in tincture. The infusion for compresses and scrubs in external use.
RUE DE LOS MUROS, A TRADITIONAL DIURETIC
The rue of the walls (Asplenium rutds muraria L.) is another of the ferns fáclles to differentiate by the characteristic shape of its fronds with three lobes pes queños.
It grows on walls, walls and wet rocks, especially in mountain areas, up to two thousand meters of altitude in the Pyrenees and Sierra Nevada. Traditionally, fronds and root were used.
PROPERTIES OF THE RUE OF THE WALLS
Diuretic, pectoral, expectorant, hepatoprotective, emmenagogue, ophthalmic, astringent, anti-inflammatory, aperitive, digestive.
WHAT IS THE RUE OF THE WALLS FOR?
This fern, very little studied, had traditionally been used in many different ailments, but today it is difficult to find it in herbalists. It served to stimulate urine, tone kidney and liver, relieve painful menses, stimulate appetite and clear the airways in case of congestion, bronchitis and asthma.
It was also applied externally in eye inflammations, sores and minor burns.
HOW RUE IS TAKEN FROM THE WALLS
In infusion or in simple decoction.
DORADILLA, TO PROMOTE URINE
The doradilla (Ceterach oficinarum DC en Lamk.) is a modest fern. The fronds are harvested, very narrow and in triangular segments, intense green on the beam and whitish on the back. It grows on walls and rocks in the shade.
PROPERTIES OF DORADILLA
It is considered diuretic, depurative, slightly hypotensive, astringent, choleretic and hypoviscosizing, but it is not a very studied plant.
WHAT IS THE DORADILLA FOR?
As a diuretic plant, it is considered effective in stimulating the flow of urine and in relieving genitourinary disorders such as cystitis and ureteritis, as well as preventing the formation of kidney stones, slowing the accumulation of uric acid and lowering blood pressure.
It has been indicated to relieve fluid retention and edema.
HOW TO TAKE THE DORADILLA
In simple infusion, or combined with other diuretic plants (grass, birch), up to two cups a day.
CONTRAINDICATIONS OF DORADILLA
In case of hypertension or kidney failure, consult your doctor.
LYCOPODIUM AGAINST EXCESSIVE SWEATING
The lycopodium (Lycopodium clavatum L.) is not strictly a fern, but a primitive plant, close to these.
It is a creeping herb, with the appearance of large moss and leaves covered with spores, which grows in humid environments of coniferous forests and tall meadows. It is found in the Pyrenees and the Cantabrian Mountains.
The spores, reduced to dust and the aerial tops, are harvested.
PROPERTIES OF LYCOPODIUM
Herbalists mainly use it to treat hidrosis. Lycopodium powders are said to absorb fifty times more water than talc; hence its effectiveness for this problem.
They fight excess body sweat and prevent skin flaking.
WHAT IS LYCOPODIUM FOR?
The tops had been used in a traditional way to cure colds and inflammations in the urinary ducts, hypertension, gout and edema.
It was also attributed a tonic and soothing effect, useful for relieving heartburn and gastrointestinal spasms.
Today it is a reputed homeopathic remedy.
HOW LYCOPODIUM IS TAKEN
Powders as talcum powder in the problems described. And the infusion of the tops as a diuretic and digestive.
LYCOPODIUM CONTRAINDICATIONS
In pregnancy, lactation, in children under 12 years of age and in case of renal or cardiac failure.
