The efficacy and function of long-stalked plantain fern

The long-stalked plantain fern is something that many people are very familiar with. The benefits that the long-stalked plantain fern brings to us are not available in other foods. So what are the effects of long-stalked plantain fern? Let’s learn about it together.

【English name】Longstalk Antrophyum

【Alias】Golden coin mark, Golden line tiger

[Source] Medicinal material source: the whole herb of Plantago asiatica, a plant of the Plantaginaceae family.

【Original morphology】Plant height 15-30cm. The rhizome is short, erect or obliquely ascending, with densely covered dark brown, linear lanceolate scales on the top and base of the petiole, the tip of which is long and gradually pointed and ciliate, the sieve holes are narrow and transparent, with an iridescent luster, and sparse fine teeth on the edges. Leaves are close together or nearly clustered; petiole is 7-12cm long, flat, smooth upward; leaf blade is fleshy, glabrous, obovate or broadly elliptic, 8-15cm long, wider in the middle or above the middle, 4-8cm wide, with a long acuminate tip more or less short-tailed, the middle part gradually narrows downward and rarely extends below the petiole, the margin is entire or slightly wavy; there is no midrib and lateral veins, the veinlets are connected into multiple rows of slightly regular narrow meshes, and there are no internal veinlets. The sori are linear, borne along the sunken reticulate veins on the back, connected at intervals, and the leaf margins and ends are usually sterile; there is no sori cover, and they have capitate filaments.

[Habitat distribution] Ecological environment: epiphytic on tree trunks or rocks in broad-leaved forests at an altitude of 1500-2300m.

【Properties】 Characteristic identification: The rhizome is short and covered with scales; the scales are lanceolate and brown. Petiole 7-12cm long; leaf blade fleshy, obovate to broadly elliptic, 8-15cm long, 4-7cm wide, apex long and gradually pointed, base gradually narrowed, margin entire or slightly wavy, veins reticulate. The sori are linear and arranged along the sunken veins on the back. It has a faint smell and a bitter taste.

【Nature and flavor】 Bitter; Cool

【Entry】 Lung; Kidney

【Functions and indications】 Clears away heat and detoxifies; promotes blood circulation and dredges meridians. Sore throat, breast abscess, breast carbuncle, joint swelling and pain

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decocted in water, 6-15g; or soaked in wine.

[Discussions by various scholars] "Xinhua Compendium of Materia Medica": The whole plant tastes bitter and is cool in nature. It has the functions of clearing away heat and detoxifying, promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, and benefiting joints. Used for tonsillitis, mastitis, and arthritis.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Materia Medica

This is all we have to say about the effects of Plantain Fern. I hope it will be helpful to you. Although the value of the long-stalked plantain fern is very high, we must be cautious when eating it.