Fern

Useful properties and use of indoor fern

Useful properties of ferns

Fern refers 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 does not tend to bloom. Spore maturation somewhat resembles flowering. Some plant species shed elongated leaves that look like clusters of flowers when they open in hot weather. The fern has thick brown rhizomes with many adventitious roots. For use in folk 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 forest areas.

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

It should be noted that such a miraculous decoction 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 will easily cope with malaria. To prepare a decoction of rhizomes, you need 10 grams of well-dried raw materials and 200 grams of boiling water. After a long boil, you can take the remedy with a small addition of honey, 1 teaspoon.

In order to prepare an external medicinal product, we take 3 grams of dry fern rhizomes per 50 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 inflammatory process of the sciatic nerve, and help get rid of rheumatism and cramps in 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 amount of scaly leaves. From the unusual top of the rhizome, rather large leaves of a pinnately complex type emerge. They are wrapped in a snail-shaped way. At the beginning of 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 excellent detoxifiers due to their cleansing effect. With the help of the roots of the plant, a wide variety of ailments can be successfully treated. These include eczema, ulcers, extensive wounds, rheumatism, chronic constipation, as well as headaches and much more. Moreover, unusually healing rhizomes even tend to quickly restore the full functioning of the cardiovascular system.

fern species

In nature, there are various types of plants presented.

Indoor fern. Indoor ferns attract attention due to their interesting carved leaves. In terms of decorativeness and beauty, they have no equal among other indoor plants. Indoor nephrolepis has pinnate 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. Ferns require moderate watering, without drying out the soil.

Thai fern. 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 the normal development of plants, the aquarium needs to be heated in the winter and cooled in the hot period. 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.

Male fern. 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 outgoing pointed cuts. Sporangia with numerous spores are arranged on the underside along the venation in two rows. The male fern spores from July to August. This species grows well in shady damp places in pine forests and among shrubs. From the fresh rhizomes of such a plant, a magnificent extract is obtained.

Indian fern. The Indian fern is common in tropical regions around the globe. It is one of the most popular aquarium plants. Its beautiful finely dissected leaves have a pale 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, plant growth slows down significantly, and the leaves become very small. Protect the Indian fern from direct sunlight, but provide bright artificial light for a long time.

Fern red. The 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, an average level of water hardness and a spacious aquarium. Keep in mind that such a fern grows very slowly, but does not require special care.

Tropical fern. This type of fern reaches 20 cm in height and has solid adventitious roots. In some plants, such adventitious roots form a kind of “skirt” around a powerful trunk. Tropical creeper-shaped ferns climb high in the trees where there is plenty of sunlight. Mossy tropical ferns live in small damp pits. With their lacy leaves, they absorb moisture. Various tropical plant species also settle in shady forests with high humidity.

Tree fern. The tree fern easily adapts to unusual conditions, but it does not like cold weather and strong winds. This plant prefers warm climates. As a rule, it is found in many damp forests, sometimes choosing lakes and swamps. The tree fern feels especially good in subtropical forests. A complex system of branches and preshoots forms long pointed leaves. Leaf plates do not combine, 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 with modern aquarists due to its long, finely dissected leaves of a bright green hue. Under favorable conditions, the water fern is able to reach 50 cm. The optimum temperature for this species is considered to be about 25 ° C of heat, lighting can be an artificial light source. This type of fern reproduces by the formation of small daughter plants on the mother’s old leaves.

Forest fern. The group of forest species of fern includes such varieties as the common ostrich, the nomad, the shield, the multi-row, the leaflet, the bracken.

They are distinguished by beautiful funnel-shaped rosettes of leaves, a rich shade and ease of care. The ostrich forest fern grows well on waterlogged soils and fairly open places. At the height of summer, forest ferns look like gorgeous green fountains. The kochedyzhnik 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 nutrient soils. The 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 physician. With kidney and liver disease, as well as with a stomach ulcer, the use of fern is contraindicated.