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FERNS

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[Summary yet to be added]

FERNS – OPHIOGLOSSACEAE

Ophioglossum vulgatum L.

Serpent's Tongue, Adder's Tongue, Southern Adder's Tongue, English Adder's Tongue, Common Tongue Fern

According to Wren (1975), the fresh leaves are used as a poultice in scrofulous ulcers [= scrofuloderma?] and tumours, together with an infusion taken internally in wineglassful doses. Interestingly, Wren (1975) uses exactly the same form of words to describe the use of the botanically unrelated Erythronium americanum Ker-Gawler (fam. Liliaceae) — the American Adder's Tongue. Wren (1975) additionally records that the plant boiled in oil or fat is said to be a panacea for wounds and to reduce inflammation, a use also acknowledged by Stuart (1979). An ethnobotanical study in Southern Nigeria revealed that the dried pulverized rhizome of this fern is applied externally to ulcerated sores and wounds; and that the plant is also used in the treatment of burns (Nwosu 2002).

FERNS – POLYPODIACEAE

Polypodium aureum L.

(syns Chrysopteris aurea Link, Phlebodium aureum J. Sm., Pleopeltis aurea C. Presl, Polypodium aureum var leucatomos Krug, Polypodium leucatomos Poiret)

Golden Polypody, Rabbit's Foot Fern, Serpent Fern, Calaguala, Polypode Doré

Calagualine, a saponin extract prepared from the rhizomes of Polypodium leucotomos [sic] has been used topically and orally for psoriasis (Corrales Padilla et al. 1974). The crude drug is also known as Anapsos™ or as Kalawalla™.

FERNS – PTERIDACEAE

Adiantum raddianum C. Presl

(syns Adiantum cuneatum Langsd. & Fisch., Adiantum decorum T. Moore)

Delta Maidenhair Fern, Maid Fern

[Information available but not yet included in database]

References

• Corrales Padilla H, Laínez N H, Pacheco JA (1974) A new agent (hydrophilic fraction of Polypodium leucotomos) for management of psoriasis. International Journal of Dermatology 13(5): 276-282 [doi] [url] [url-2] [pmid]
• Nwosu MO (2002) Ethnobotanical studies on some pteridophytes of Southern Nigeria. Economic Botany 56(3): 255-259 [doi] [url] [url-2]
• Stuart M (1979) Reference section. In: Stuart M (Ed.) The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism, pp. 141-283. London: Orbis Publishing [WorldCat] [WorldCat]
• Wren RC (1975) Potter's New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations. (Re-edited and enlarged by Wren RW). Bradford, Devon: Health Science Press [WorldCat] [WorldCat] [url] [url-2]
• [ + 1 further reference not yet included in database]

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