Fern
|
Botanical Name |
Pteris aquilina (Bracken Fern), Osmunda regalis (Royal Fern), |
|
Habitat |
Woods, hedges |
|
Other Notes |
The seeds of ferns all said to be very magical and are linked to the solstices The seeds are associated with fire and the sun The seeds are said to magically uncover hidden treasure, turn people invisible and protect people from evil spirits |
Fern male
|
Botanical Name |
Dryopteris filix-mas |
|
Family |
Polypodiaceae |
|
Habitat |
Woods, banks, ditches |
|
Description |
Large fern leaves pale green up to 1.3m Stalk thick, pale brown Spores July-September |
|
Native to |
Europe, N Asia |
|
Parts used |
Roots, rhizome |
|
Harvesting |
Autumn |
|
Actions |
Taenifuge, vermifuge |
|
Constituents |
Filicin, filixid acid, tannin, phloroglucin derivatives, traces of essential oil Phloroglucinol derivatives (filicin) –aspidin, filicinic acid, filicylbutanone, aspidinol, albaspidin, flavaspidic acids, paraspidin, desapidin Triterpenes –9 (11) fernene, 12 hopene, 11, 13 (13) hopadiene. Alkanes –C29 and C31 Volatile oil and resins |
|
Immune |
Tapeworm |
|
Other Notes |
It is used in exorcisms |
|
Cautions |
Only use under the supervision of a professional herbalist |