The efficacy and function of three-winged fern

Pteris trifasciata is a famous traditional Chinese medicinal material with a long history of application. Today we will learn about the three-winged fern.

[Other names] Chicken claw fern, large-leaf centipede, dizzy chicken

[Source] Medicinal material source: The leaves of the plant Tripterygium wilfordii of the Tripterygium wilfordii family.

【Original morphology】 Plant height 40-80cm. The rhizome is horizontal, thick, and together with the base of the petiole, is densely covered with black, lanceolate to linear scales, with entire margin. Leaves subsperm; petiole 20-50cm long, brown straw color, sparsely covered with brown, node-like short hairs upward; leaf blade triangular-pentagonal, 25-35cm long, 20-25cm wide, glabrous above, only midrib and rachis sparsely covered with short hairs below, twice pinnate-lobed; pinnae 1-2 pairs, opposite, petiolate, terminal pinnae triangular, 15-30cm long, about 15cm wide, apex acuminate, base extending downward and cuneate, deeply or shallowly pinnate-lobed, the basal pair of lobes is the largest, forked, the basal pair of pinnae of the lateral pinnae is the largest, ovate-triangular, with a pair of flat lobes on both sides, the lower one is larger; the second pair of pinnae is lanceolate, with shallowly pinnate-lobed edges; leaf veins are reticulate, more obvious on both sides, with irregular meshes, and the inner veinlets are slightly forked. The sporangium is small, round, and borne dorsally at the junction of the reticulate veins; the sori cap is round and kidney-shaped and falls off early.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: grows beside streams under forests or on wet rocks.

[Properties] Identification of properties: The petiole is slightly twisted, 20-30cm long, brown in color, and has scales at the base. The leaves are often wrinkled and become triangular pentagonal when flattened, 25-35cm long and 20-25cm wide, pinnately compound leaves; the top piece is triangular, deeply pinnate-lobed, and petiolate; there are 1-2 pairs of lateral pinnae, the lower pinnae are petiolate, ovate-triangular, up to 16cm long and 12cm wide, the second pair of pinnae are lanceolate and shallowly pinnate-lobed; the leaf veins are reticulate. Scattered sporangia can be seen at the intersection of the reticulate veins. Slight smell, bitter taste.

【Nature and flavor】 Astringent; neutral

【Functions and indications】Dispel wind and dampness; detoxify and stop bleeding. Mainly used for rheumatic bone pain, dysentery, traumatic bleeding, and snake bites

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decocted in water, 9-15g. For external use: take appropriate amount, crush the fresh product and apply; or grind the dry product into powder and sprinkle.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

Not only does the three-winged fern have many functions, but it can also be eaten in many ways in our lives, so it is loved by many people.