MEDICINAL PLANTS

The male fern is one of the most robust species that breed in our country. It has a very stout rhizome thick, easily confused with the root, which gives rise to stalked fronds, initially coiled rod-shaped and covered with brown scales. In August and September are formed on the underside of the fronds two rows of sporangia, these spores brown released ensure plant reproduction. One grows in shady woods and damp at the edges of small streams and generally at the bottom of almost all the mountains of our country, from Sierra Nevada to the Pyrenees through Catalonia, Galicia and Portugal, although not a very common fern to see as others.

FLOWERING

Being a fern flower lacking and therefore is not flowering. In this case we speak of maturation of the sporangia, with the ripening season in late summer. For medical use his thick rhizome is used, with the basal parts of the fronds that stem from it. It is important to start the fresh rhizome, which is when most activity presents. For the same reason, the drying process should be as short and quick as possible. Depending on the time of harvest, we will have a rhizome more or less active, to create more active rhizome collected in autumn. As for the altitude and soil type, seems to have less impact on the wealth of active ingredients of the rhizome. However, ferns prefer mountain-bred and siliceous soils, compared with lowland raised limestone soils.

APPLICATIONS

Found in the rhizome phloroglucinol derivatives, such as filicina and an essential oil with small amounts of free fatty acids. The most typical use of male fern is as anthelmintic. The floroglúcidos have the property that has to paralyze the muscles of various intestinal worms, which, once immobilized, is easily released from the walls of the entire intestinal tract, being eliminated along with feces. It has been used successfully to combat tapeworms, but is no longer associated with a purgative to complement the action. The purge can be saline, or the type of calomel, but it should never be associated with fatty purgatives as castor oil, as it enhances the absorption of active ingredients of the fern, which may trigger unwanted effects. For the same reason one should not administer this herb with alcohol. Among the unwanted effects, active ingredients of male fern may cause gastroenteritis, hematuria (blood in urine), bronchospasm and there are even some cases of blindness reported after For its potential danger is not recommended for any home preparation. In the pharmaceutical market there is a preparation made from this fern, but remember to be used under supervision of qualified personnel, ie doctors and pharmacists. Tion uncontrolled. Therefore, we recommend using standardized preparations-in which is seen how to use it, and always use under medical supervision. Today this plant is preferred substitute for other preparations less offensive and equally active.

ADMINISTRATION

For its potential danger is not recommended for any home preparation. In the pharmaceutical market there is a preparation made from this fern, but remember to be used under supervision of qualified personnel, ie doctors and pharmacists.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Polipodeaceas
HABITAT: Shady woods and moist
FLOWERING: The sporangia mature in summer
PART USED: Rhizome
CASTILIAN: Dentabron
CATALAN: Falguera mascle, falaguera mascle
BASQUE: Irriarr
GALICIAN: Fieito macho

USES

Fort Anthelmintics, Toxic Strong.