Medicinal Ferns and Fern Allies: Polypodium glycyrrhiza, Licorice Fern, Polypodium lineare and Polypodium polypodioides, Resurection Fern
Polypodium glycyrrhiza, Licorice Fern
Plants for A Future states:
Liquorice fern was employed medicinally by several native North American Indian tribes who used it especially as a treatment for a variety of chest complaints. It is little, if at all, used in modern herbalism. The rhizomes are alterative, carminative, haemostatic and pectoral. The raw rhizomes have been eaten, or an infusion has been used, in the treatment of coughs and colds, chest pains, shortness of breath and VD. The roots have been chewed, and the juice swallowed, as a treatment for sore throats and the spitting or vomiting of blood. A tea of the pounded boiled rhizomes, mixed with fir needles, has been used to treat measles. Coughs have been treated by chewing and slowly swallowing the juice of the roasted rhizome. The roots have been used in the treatment of colds and sore throats.
Although we have found no reports of toxicity for this species, a number of ferns contain carcinogens so some caution is advisable. Many ferns also contain thiaminase, an enzyme that robs the body of its vitamin B complex. In small quantities this enzyme will do no harm to people eating an adequate diet that is rich in vitamin B, though large quantities can cause severe health problems. The enzyme is destroyed by heat or thorough drying, so cooking the plant will remove the thiaminase.
Botany in a Day tells us:
As strong tea of the root of the licorice fern is useful as an anti-inflammatory, especially as a mild alternative to antihistamines.
Polypodium lineare
This fern is anti-inflammatory and diuretic. As such, it is very useful kidney and bladder stones, as well as urinary tract infections. It also helps with bronchitis, dysentery and arthritis.
Polypodium polypodioides, Resurection Fern
Herbal Remedies of the Lumbee Indians tells us:
Polypodium fern is a non-native perennial evergreen fern. It has spores on the lower portion of its fronds which look like golden dots. This long leaved-stalked fern has pinnately divided green leaves that grow up to twelve inches tall. The Lumbee harvested the roots, leaves and stems of this fern. The root is purported to have a licorice flavor that is a thousand times sweeter than sugar. The Polypodium fern is often found growing close to the roots of oak trees. Some herbalists of the nineteenth century believed the plant absorbed the vigor of this great tree. Others believed that anyone who carried the fern would become invisible. Polypodium was called “tapasi moso here”, or plant that grows on a rough branch, in the Lumbee language. The Lumbee submerged the roots, stems and leaves in water and boiled this combination until only a little of the liquid was left. The liquid was combined with petroleum jelly, tallow or Rosebud salve, and warmed until the ingredients mixed together. The salve that was obtained was rubbed on sores or external wounds. Polypodium leaves were not collected when in drought or when no rain had fallen in quite some time. It was said that the plant’s appearance changed completely during these dry times. Only the succulent green leaves were used. The dead looking, wrinkled leaves were not gathered.
The Peterson Field Guide to Medicinal plants tells us:
American Indians used ointment of the heated stems and leaves for sores, ulcers. Leaf tea used for headaches, dizziness, thrush, sore mouth, and bleeding gums.
(Photo CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=107200)
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The information on this site is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease or condition. Nothing on this site has been evaluated or approved by the FDA. I am not a doctor. The US government does not recognize the practice of herbal medicine and their is no governing body regulating herbalists. Therefore, I'm just a guy who studies herbs. I am not offering any advice. I won't even claim that anything I write is accurate or true! I can tell you what herbs have "traditionally been used for." I can tell you my own experience and if I believe an herb helped me. I cannot, nor would I tell you to do the same. If you use any herb I, or anyone else, mentions you are treating yourself. You take full responsibility for your health. Humans are individuals and no two are identical. What works for me may not work for you. You may have an allergy, sensitivity or underlying condition that no one else shares and you don't even know about. Be careful with your health. By continuing to read my blog you agree to be responsible for yourself, do your own research, make your own choices and not to blame me for anything, ever.