September 3, 1870.] THE PHARMACEUTICAL JOURNAL AND TRANSACTIONS. 
181 
MEDICINAL FERNS. 
BY M. C. COOKE. 
Ferns have been rather extensively employed in 
medicine, and some of them have acquired consider¬ 
able reputation; but it is doubtful whether, with two 
or three exceptions, they are of any real value. Some 
are probably inert, others only possess properties 
which are more highly developed in other substances. 
On the whole, ferns are by no means important re¬ 
medial agents, and their enumeration is more matter 
of curiosity than suggestive of value. The present 
list, though long, is probably imperfect, at least it 
contains the most important and popular species. 
Ackostichttm Huacsaro, Ruiz. The rhizome of 
this species is employed in Peru as “ Middling Cala- 
guala,” “ Cordoncillo ” or “ Huacsaro.” It is sub¬ 
stituted for the genuine “ Calaguala.” 
Adiantum jethiopicum, Linn. This is a Cape 
species. An infusion is sometimes used as an emol¬ 
lient in coughs and diseases of the chest. A syrup 
is also prepared from it. The Basuto Kafirs, who 
call it “ Ma-o-ru-metsoo,” employ its caudex in the 
shape of decoction for promoting parturition. 
Adiantum caudatum, Linn. An infusion is em¬ 
ployed in the Mauritius as a diaphoretic and instead 
of tea. In some parts of India it forms a portion of 
the “ Hunsraj ” of the bazaars, which is used as an 
astringent and aromatic. 
Adiantum concinnum, Kth. “ Culantrillo,” or 
“ Jarabe de Culantrillo,” is much used in the Carac- 
cas in pectoral diseases, and said to purify the blood. 
Six ounces of the fronds are macerated hi a gallon 
of hot water for twenty-four hours, then evaporated 
to a proper consistence and filtered. 
Adiantum fragile, Sic. Named by Lunan as 
medicinal. Browne says all the species of Adiantum 
are light subastringent vulneraries, and may be ad¬ 
ministered with great propriety in all relaxations 
and weaknesses of the fibres, hi prurient consump¬ 
tions and in the ulcerated or relaxed state of the 
glands, especially those of the breast, as well as in 
most cutaneous diseases.— Lunan, Hort. Jam. i. 
p. 475. 
Adiantum lunulatum, Spr. The “ Hunsraj,” or 
“Mobarldia,” of the Hindoos has been referred to 
this species. It is employed in India for similar 
purposes to the Maiden-hair of Europe, which latter 
is known under the name of “ Gool-i-mairam.” Se¬ 
veral other species are either mixed with this or 
substituted for it under the same vulgar name. 
Adiantum pedatum, Linn. “ Canadian Maiden¬ 
hair.” Tins is said to be the most esteemed sort of 
Maiden-liair, being more aromatic than the Euro¬ 
pean Maiden-hair. It was formerly more employed 
than at present as a pectoral in chrome catarrhs. 
Many imaginary virtues have been ascribed to this 
as well as other ferns. 
Adiantum trapeziforme ,Linn. “Mexican Maiden¬ 
hair.” One of the numerous species which have been 
employed for virtues which they were supposed to 
possess in common with the true Maiden-hair of 
Europe. It is probably of little or no value. 
Adiantum venustum, Don. This is another fern 
said to yield a portion of the “ Hunsraj ” of Indian 
bazaars. Considered astringent and aromatic, also 
emetic in large doses, besides which it is said to be tonic 
and febrifuge. Employed in Lahore, Kashmir, etc. 
Adiantum villosum, Linn. One of the species 
mentioned by Lunan. Piso is said to have recom- 
Third Series, No. 10. 
mended it for expectorating tough phlegm.— Lunan, 
Hort. Jam. i. p. 474. 
Aspidium coriaceum, Sic. Bouton states in his 
‘ Medicinal Plants of the Mauritius,’ that a decoction 
of tills fern is employed in the treatment of tambave; 
a few cups of tliis are given during the day, and the 
residuum left after the decoction is used as a lotion 
for bathing the neck, breast and back of the patient 
at intervals. 
Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum, Linn. “ Black 
Spleenwort.” The medicinal properties of this fern 
have been extolled by various old authors, but its 
use is unknown in modern practice. Bay sums up 
a catalogue of diseases in which it is supposed to be 
beneficial. 
Asplenium nidus, Linn. The tender Ronds of 
this species are cut into pieces hi the Mauritius and 
form a decoction which is said to be an excellent 
depurative. The rhizome is also boiled for coughs. 
Boughton thi nk s that this is the Cetcrach mentioned 
by Dr. Chapotin a§ employed in Madagascar. 
Asplenium radtatum, Sw. According to Dr. 
Bird wood, the “ Mor-punkhee ” of the Hindoos 
belongs to this species. It is employed locally in 
medicine, but its virtues are not specially recorded 
by him. 
Asplenium Buta-muraria, Linn. “Wall Bue.” 
Lightfoot says that this fern was at one time sold as 
an expectorant and deobstruent. It was one of the 
species employed as a substitute for Maiden-hair. 
Asplenium Trichomanes, Linn. According to 
Lightfoot, tliis fern was formerly used as an expec¬ 
torant by the peasantry of Scotland. This is an¬ 
other of the many substitutes for the true Maiden¬ 
hair, now fallen into disrepute. Is the “ Myle 
conclay” of the Tamils. 
Athyrium Filix-femina, Remit. The rhizome of 
tliis fern has been used as a substitute for that of 
the Male-fern, and the same virtues as an anthel¬ 
mintic have been ascribed to it. It is now generally 
admitted, however, that these virtues were more 
supposititious than real, and it has ceased to be 
employed. 
Balantium chrysotrichum, Hassle. Affords the 
“ Pakoe kidang ” of Java. The hairs are thicker, 
long and less soft and silky than those. of the 
“ Pena war Jambie” of Sumatra, but are similarly 
employed. Some of these fern products, consisting 
of shi nin g brown hairs, have been imported into tliis 
country, but never came into use. See notice by 
Mr. Hanbuiy in Pharmaceutical J ournal for 
November, 1856. 
Blechnum boreale, Sw. “Hard Fern.” The 
rhizome had formerly the reputation of being ape¬ 
rient and diuretic, but has long since _ ceased to be 
employed. Its virtues were doubtless imaginary. 
Botrychium cicutarium, Sw. Is fancied by the 
inhabitants of St. Domingo to be an alexipharmic. 
Botrychium Lunaria, Sw. “Moonwort.” Ma¬ 
gical properties have been assigned to this fern. 
Gerarde says, “It is singular to lieale green and 
fresh wounds. It hath been used among the alchy- 
mists and witches to doe wonders witliall, who ^ say 
that it will loose lockes, and make them to fall from 
the feet of horses that grase where it doth grow, and 
hath been called of them ‘ Martagon. whereas in 
truth they are all but drowsie dreams and illusions; 
but it is singular for wounds as aforesaid. Bay 
commends its virtues in dysentery. 
(To be continued.) 
