The efficacy and function of Lepidium ovatum

The ovalileaf fern is a commonly used medicinal material in traditional Chinese medicine and is often used to treat various diseases. So today I will share with you some information about the ovalileaf fern.

【English name】 Ovate-leaf Lindsaea

【Other name】 Golden flower grass

[Source] Medicinal material source: the whole herb of Pteris ovalifolia, a plant of the Pteridaceae family.

[Original form] Terrestrial fern, plant height can reach 57cm. The rhizome is horizontal, densely covered with reddish-brown awl-shaped scales. The leaves are sub-born; the petiole is quadrangular, up to 25cm long, chestnut to dark chestnut, and shiny; the leaf blade is herbaceous, one or two pinnate, rectangular, if two pinnate, then linear-lanceolate, about 30cm long, about 3cm wide, if the base is two pinnate, then about 8cm wide; there are more than 26 pairs of pinnae, opposite at the base, alternate at the top, far apart, obliquely spreading, with short petioles, ovate-triangular, 1-1.5cm long, 1-1.2cm wide, with acute apex, obtuse head, cordate at the base, more or less asymmetrical, with gnathic fine teeth on the margin, 1-2 pairs of pinnae at the base are often two pinnate, up to 10cm long, about 1.5cm wide, with 7-12 pairs of pinnae, ovate at the bottom, pinnae at the top are not divided, and acute; the rachis is quadrangular and smooth; the veins are dichotomously branched. The sori are linear and continuously arranged along the upper and outer edges of the leaves. The sori cap is linear, membranous, brown, and entire.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: Growing in thickets at an altitude of 130-230m.

【Nature and flavor】 Light; astringent; cool

【Meridian】 Liver; Large Intestine

【Functions and indications】 Clears away heat and dampness; promotes blood circulation and stops bleeding. Mainly used for dysentery, traumatic injury, and bleeding from trauma;

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoction 9-15g. For external use: take appropriate amount and mash it for application.

[Discussions by various scholars] "Xinhua Compendium of Materia Medica": The whole plant: tastes light, astringent and cool in nature. It has the functions of stopping bleeding, relieving itching and stopping diarrhea. Used for trauma, dysentery and other diseases.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

The above is an introduction to the ovalileaf fern. Through this introduction we can understand that the ovalileaf fern has high medicinal value and can effectively relieve many diseases, but remember not to take it indiscriminately.