Maidenhair Fern
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Botanical Name |
Adiantum capillus veneris |
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Family |
Polypodiaceae |
|
Other Names |
Lady’s hair, rock fern, Venus hair |
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Habitat |
Wet places |
|
Description |
Fern, creeping rhizome, fan shaped leaflets Leaves pale green Spores: June-September |
|
Native to |
Europe, North America, Canada |
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Parts Used |
Fern |
|
Actions |
Antipyretic, antitussive, demulcent, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant |
|
Constituents |
Tannins, bitters, sugar, essential oil Flavonoids glycosides: rutin, isoquercetin, astragalin, kaempferol 3, 7 diglucoside, kaempferol 3 sulphate. Triterpenoids –adiantone. Hopane alcohols –adian-5-en-3-ols, pterin-14-en-7-ol Hydroxycinnamic acid sulphate esters |
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Respiratory |
Asthma, bronchitis |
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Genito-urinary |
Kidneys stones, water retention |
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Other Notes |
Adiantum is derived from the Greek “adiantos” meaning unwetted because the foliage repels water |