The efficacy and function of Pteris heterophylla

I don’t know if you are familiar with the Fern, and whether you understand its effects and functions. Let’s analyze in detail the value and eating methods of the Fern.

【English name】 Different-leaf Lindsaea

[Source] Medicinal material source: the whole herb of Pteris heterophylla of the Pteridaceae family.

[Original form] Terrestrial fern, plant height about 35cm. The rhizome is short and horizontal, densely covered with reddish-brown diamond-shaped scales. Leaves are nearly born; petioles are dark chestnut, 10-20cm long, quadrangular, and smooth; blades are herbaceous, broadly lanceolate or oblong-triangular; pinnae are about 11 pairs, nearly opposite at the base, alternate at the top, far apart and obliquely spreading, lanceolate, 3-5cm long, about 1cm wide, symmetrical at the base, undivided or pinnate, with irregular short-pointed serrations on the edges; leaf veins are pinnate-branched, with an irregular row of polygonal oblique long meshes on each side of the midrib. The sori are linear, born on the connecting vein at the tip of the veinlets, and continuously distributed near the leaf margin except on both sides of the base; the sori cover is linear, gray-brown, continuous, and entire.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: Growing in forest streamside wetlands at an altitude of 120-600m.

[Properties] Identification of properties: The rhizome is cylindrical, about 2mm thick, and has densely covered reddish-brown diamond-shaped scales on the surface. There are many leaves above and many brown fibrous roots below. The petiole is quadrangular, dark chestnut, and smooth; the leaf blade is broadly lanceolate or oblong-triangular, 15-30cm long, 5-15cm wide, one to two pinnate, herbaceous, and light gray-green; the rachis is quadrangular, straw-colored, smooth, the pinnae are lanceolate, 3-5cm long, undivided or reticulate, the leaf margin has irregular short-pointed serrations, and there is a row of irregular polygonal oblique meshes on both sides of the main vein, and the veins outside the meshes are separated, single or forked. The sori are linear, borne on the connecting vein at the tip of the veinlets; the sporangium cap is linear, brown-gray, and entire. Slight odor, light taste.

【Nature and flavor】 Light; bitter; neutral

【Meridian】 Liver meridian

【Functions and indications】Diuretic; promoting blood circulation and relieving pain. Mainly used for urinary incontinence; stasis and pain

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decocted in water, 9-15g.

[Discussions by various scholars] "Xinhua Compendium of Materia Medica": The whole herb has the effects of promoting diuresis, relieving pain and promoting blood circulation.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

Through the introduction of the traditional Chinese medicine Pteris heterophylla in the above article, we can clearly see that the traditional Chinese medicine Pteris heterophylla has many effects and functions. Therefore, in the future, everyone might as well learn more about Chinese medicines such as Pteris heterophylla in life.