MEDICINAL PLANTS

The pit maidenhair fern is a charming family owned the polipodiáceas. It has a rhizome that creeps along the ground and fronds 1 to 2 feet high, with a corner long and thin, hairless and dark brown. In the finest ramifications born frondinos segments, each supported by its own nipple with a figure similar to that of an open fan. The sporangia are born on the upper edge of these segments. This fern grows on the damp walls of the wells and, in general, in dark and damp.

FLOWERING

Ferns, as already discussed in other species, form a separate group of plants that lack of flowering, and higher plants. In this type of plant it comes to ripening of the sporangia, which are the structures responsible for sexual reproduction of these plants. In the case of pit maidenhair, sporangia ripen from May. For medicinal purposes the aerial parts are harvested.

APPLICATIONS

The composition of maidenhair is little-known material known to contain tannins, mucilage, gallic acid, a bitter substance, gum and essential oil. The essence that gives the plant has a pleasant aroma, but is not usable because it contains small amounts of oil. For the beauty of its fronds, which since ancient compared to the hair of a beautiful hair-and the theory of the sign, the maidenhair fern was first used to preserve and enhance the hair, but now we know that their resemblance to a nice hair is just coincidence and that, as the saying goes, the only thing that stops hair loss is the soil. Joking aside, for its abundance of mucilaginous substances is an excellent emollient with anti-inflammatory and expectorant. In folk medicine has been used to combat coughs and colds, and to facilitate and regularize painful periods if they are excessive. Finally, we discuss something about the theory of the sign: it was a long time and is due to simple observation. According to its principles, a plant or part thereof which has some resemblance to a body part, served to heal the ailments of the area. For example, the fruit of a tree which had kidney-shaped could be used to heal and activate the kidneys and, incidentally, the entire urinary system. As can be seen today, these principles are only part of our history.

ADMINISTRATION

Infusion. 20 gr. Leaves in a pint of boiling water. It is filtered, sweetened with honey and drunk in 2 doses.
Syrup. In a pint of water 30 g macerated. Leaves for three hours, after which the liquid passes through a cloth, drain the leaves and collecting the liquid in a small saucepan. Sugar or honey is added in amount double the weight of the liquid. Finally the mixture is heated until the sugar has dissolved. In some cases, add a little sugar water. This syrup 6.8 tablespoons are taken for several consecutive days.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Polipodiaceas
HABITAT: Limestone soils, caves leaky
FLOWERING: The sporangia ripen from May
PART USED: Aerial part
CASTILIAN: Culantrillo, arañuela
CATALAN: Capil-lera, falzia
BASQUE: Garaiska

USES

Fort Emollient, Moderate inflammatory, Mild Expectorant.