64 



SOME ANCIENT USES AND BELIEFS IN 



FERNS. 



By Wm. E. Farrer. 



Ferns, apart from their graceful forms and glorious greeni 

 foliage, contain medicinal and other properties. We read 

 of days long passed, when the ancient Arabian and Persian 

 physicians used the Cetevach officinavum very largely for 

 splenic disorders. Likewise, in other foreign lands, from, 

 time immemorial, ointments, lotions, and other forms of 

 healing concoctions, have been obtained from certain 

 portions of their ferns. But it is not my purpose here to^ 

 write of foreigners, but simply briefly on our own British 

 ferns. 



Two of our commonest species, namely Lastvea filix 

 mas (Male Fern) and Pteris aquilina (the common Bracken),, 

 especially the first mentioned, are credited with being cures 

 for intestinal worms, on account of their astringent 

 qualities ; many others of our ferns have the like properties 

 in a less degree, principally contained in their stems. 



The Royal, or flowering fern, Osmunda regalis, is, or was, 

 used for the healing of sprains and bruises, in the form of 

 an appHcation. From the Adiantum Capillus Veneris (the 

 British Maiden-hair fern) and other A diantums, the soothing 

 drink " Capillaire " is made by pouring boiling syrup upon> 

 the green fronds, and then flavouring the fluid by adding 

 orange flower water ; if this concoction be taken too strong,, 

 it is believed to be somewhat of an emetic. 



The common Adder's Tongue fern (Ophioglossnm vnlgatiim) 

 was, and may be to the present day, frequently made up 

 into an ointment by our country folk, and as an external 

 salve in case of newly contracted wounds. What the 

 exact healing properties are I know not, but faith, fresh 

 air, and a good constitution, combined with what cured 

 one's grandfather w^ho lived to the advanced age of ninety — 

 and who had suff'ered from some terrible lacerated wound, 

 and when all other methods failed, was eventually cured. 

 by this application — the same will surely cure you. 



