Content
- 1 What does a shield fern look like (male)
- 2 Where does the shield fern grow?
- 3 What are the benefits of male fern for the body?
- 4 The use of male fern in folk medicine
- 5 What are the benefits of baths with shield decoction?
- 6 The use of shieldweed in medicine
- 7 Restrictions and contraindications for use
- 8 Conclusion
Male fern is a common plant found in temperate climates. It is used for landscaping park areas, decorating gardens and personal plots. The rhizome contains both toxic and beneficial substances. It is used for the treatment and prevention of diseases.
What does a shield fern look like (male)
According to the photo and description, the shield fern is a representative of the genus Shield fern from the Shield family. The plant consists of a short and thick rhizome, from which emerges a rosette with large leaves. The petioles are short and thick.
The leaves of the crop are long, erect, lanceolate, bipinnate and dissected.The length of the leaf blade ranges from 20 to 80 cm, its color is dark green on top and lighter on the underside. The fern reaches a height of 50 - 150 cm.
According to the description, male fern has medicinal purposes. Its rhizome has a tart, sweetish taste and smell. The plant is also used for decorative purposes to decorate gardens and parks. In nature, it is eaten by moose and other animals.
Reproduction of shield fern under natural conditions occurs by self-sowing. The spores located on the back of the leaves ripen in the second half of summer. Most of them germinate the following year in the spring. The shield plant is also propagated by dividing the bush or by lateral shoots.
Male shield fern in the photo:
Where does the shield fern grow?
Under natural conditions, the shield plant is found in the forests of Eurasia and North America. On the territory of Russia, the plant is present in the European part of the country and southern Siberia. The distribution area of the culture covers the subalpine belt, coniferous and deciduous forests, and rocky slopes.
Male fern prefers shady places with fertile and moist soil. In northern areas it grows on rocky and calcareous soil. There are both single specimens and dense thickets of fern. Most often it grows in moderately swampy forest areas and clearings.
The male fern has been known in culture since the 17th century. More than 30 varieties of shieldweed have been bred from the original form. They differ in the shape and size of the leaves. The plant is valued for its decorative appearance, unpretentiousness and frost resistance.
Male fern grows best in moderately moist and loose soils. The shield plant tolerates shade well.Its rhizome is very fragile and rarely recovers when damaged. A light level of 5% is enough for the plant to develop. Therefore, it is planted to fill shady areas.
What are the benefits of male fern for the body?
The rhizome of the male fern has beneficial properties. It is dug up in the fall and cleared of soil, roots and leaves. Then the raw materials are dried in fresh air. The root of the plant contains tannins, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and essential oil.
Male fern root has the following effects on the human body:
- neutralizes the activity of tapeworms and worms;
- relieves cramps and pain due to rheumatism;
- disinfects and heals wounds;
- stimulates the immune system;
- relieves inflammation;
- slows down the growth of malignant cells.
The use of male fern in folk medicine
Fern found its main use in folk medicine. Its medicinal properties have been known since ancient times. The advantages of shieldweed are its availability in nature and pharmacies, as well as its low cost. The root and leaves of the plant are harvested independently or purchased in the form of finished raw materials. Before starting treatment, you should definitely consult your doctor.
Shchitovnik is used strictly in accordance with the recipe. Violation of the dosage of drugs and the rules of administration can cause poisoning and other health problems. The products are taken orally or used in the form of lotions and compresses.
From worms
According to reviews, male fern is a proven and effective remedy for worms.When parasites enter the body, they impair the functioning of the digestive and genitourinary systems. As a result, the structure of the tissue changes, which leads to the formation of cysts and tumors.
The root of the shield plant contains phenylic acids. When parasites enter the body, their action causes complete paralysis of their muscles. The worms are then removed using a laxative. However, this method is considered obsolete. They have been replaced by more modern preparations that contain extract from fern root. In its pure form, this component is used to treat pets.
The easiest way is to purchase ready-made medicine in capsules of 500 g. If you prepare the medicine yourself, then measure out the required amount using scales. The daily dose of the drug is 5 - 7 g for adults. The doctor will determine the norm for children. Depending on age, it will be 2 - 5 g.
Treatment consists of two stages: preparation and direct administration of the fern. It is recommended to follow a diet for 5-7 days. The diet includes foods rich in proteins and carbohydrates. This includes milk porridge, cottage cheese, kefir, boiled fish, jelly, tea, white bread. Avoid fatty foods as much as possible.
The evening before taking fern, they also refuse a hearty dinner. It is enough to drink tea with a small piece of bread or choose other foods that are easy for digestion. Then drink a solution of laxative salt (30 g).
Rules for taking male fern against worms:
- In the morning before breakfast, take several tablets every 15 minutes.
- After an hour, drink a salt-based laxative.
- After 2 hours you can eat.
- After 3 hours, stool will appear. If this does not happen, do an enema.
For varicose veins
Compresses are a simple and effective way to treat varicose veins. It is used in the initial stages, when the disease has not yet spread. In addition, you can make compresses from fern to prevent varicose veins.
Dried fern root relieves the symptoms of this disease. The product is used externally. To do this, cut off the leaves of the shield plant. Then grind them with a knife or food processor to obtain a homogeneous paste.
The resulting mass is mixed with sour milk in equal proportions. The resulting mixture is applied to the dilated veins. The thickness of the layer is 1 cm. A bandage of gauze or other fabric is applied on top. After 4 - 5 hours it is removed. The mass is washed off with running water.
For inflammation of the ovaries
Another way to use male fern is to treat inflammation of the ovaries. For this, fresh or dried leaves of the plant are used.
Rules for using fern leaves for inflammation of the ovaries:
- Measure out 10 g of shield leaves.
- Raw materials are placed in glass or ceramic containers.
- Then pour 250 ml of boiling water.
- The product is infused for 15 minutes.
- The liquid is filtered.
The recommended dose for fern infusion is 60 ml, three times a day. The duration of treatment is no more than 20 days.
The resulting infusion can be used as an expectorant for bronchitis and other colds. To do this, gargle 2-3 times a day. As a result, inflammation and pain are relieved.
For cancer
For oncological diseases, shieldweed is used as an additional treatment method.Fern root contains substances that slow down the proliferation of cancer cells. Before taking, consult a doctor. This remedy may not be compatible with other treatment methods because it contains alcohol.
To prepare the drug, take the rhizomes of male fern. It is best to use fresh raw materials harvested in the spring. The root is washed well to remove impurities and cut into small pieces. Then fill the glass container 1/3 full with the resulting mass and fill it with high-quality cognac.
The aging period for the male fern tincture is 3 weeks. Then it is filtered and the resulting mass is thrown away. The drug is taken three times a day before meals, 5 ml.
For the treatment of joints
Male fern is effective for treating joints with rheumatism, gout, and arthritis. In spring or summer, fresh fern leaves are cut. They are placed on a mattress and covered with a sheet. If you constantly sleep on shield leaves, you can get rid of the manifestations of these diseases. In the morning the leaves are thrown away.
To relieve pain and inflammation in the joints, compresses are made based on an aqueous decoction of shieldweed. For 300 ml of water, 2 tbsp is required. l. dried roots. The components are placed in a saucepan, which is placed on the fire. The liquid is brought to a boil, then removed from the stove and cooled. A compress from the decoction is applied to sore spots.
A vodka tincture of male fern root helps with joint diseases. To obtain it, mix 1 part of the raw material with 2 parts of vodka. The product is infused for 3 weeks, after which it is filtered and used for rubbing. As a result, pain goes away, blood circulation and joint mobility improves.
For skin problems
When used externally, male fern improves skin condition. The substances contained in its composition promote wound healing and help fight skin diseases.
In the presence of warts, papillomas and other formations, they practice wiping with an alcohol tincture of shieldweed. To prepare it, take crushed male fern root and pour it with medical alcohol. The ratio of components is 1:2, respectively. After 3 weeks the product is ready for use.
Fresh male fern juice is effective for healing wounds. The collected leaves are cut into large pieces and turned through a meat grinder. Then squeeze out the mass and soak the bandage in the juice. It is applied to wounds and other skin lesions. The dressing is changed daily.
What are the benefits of baths with shield decoction?
Taking a bath can be turned into a healing procedure. To do this, add a decoction of male fern to the water. The procedure helps relieve cramps in the limbs, joint pain and heal purulent wounds.
To prepare the decoction, take 100 g of fresh root and 50 g of dried root. The raw materials are poured with 3 liters of water and placed on the stove. The product is simmered over low heat for 2 - 3 hours. Then remove the pan from the stove and strain the contents.
The resulting decoction of shieldweed is added to water at a temperature of 30 °C. The bath is taken for 10 - 15 minutes. The procedure is repeated every other day.
The use of shieldweed in medicine
Shchitovnik has become one of the components of medical preparations. It is added to medicines to get rid of parasites. A useful extract is also obtained from male fern.
Medicines based on shieldweed
Many medicines have been created based on shieldweed. Basically, these are drugs for getting rid of worms and other parasites. They are taken strictly as prescribed by the doctor. Be sure to follow the dosage without exceeding it.
The most popular medicinal product based on male fern is Filixan. This is a remedy for getting rid of worms. Its main component will be the rhizome of the shield plant. Available in the form of tablets that are taken orally once. The maximum dosage is 10 g per day.
The drug Filixan has side effects. These are abdominal pain, nausea, dizziness, diarrhea, loss of strength, loss of consciousness. To eliminate them, do a gastric lavage and take a salt-based laxative. Be sure to call a doctor. The patient is advised to drink more warm liquid. To normalize the condition, a specialist may inject caffeine or barbiturates.
Male Fern Extract
Shield extract is a herbal anthelmintic drug that is available in capsule or liquid form. It is obtained by extracting beneficial components from the rhizome of the male fern. The capsules are coated with a gelatin shell and contain 0.5 g of extract.
Indications for taking the drug are the presence of parasitic infectious diseases. Treatment is carried out under the supervision of a doctor. The product is not compatible with castor oil. The maximum dose is 8 g per day.
Instructions for use of male fern extract:
- for hymenolepidosis - 1 capsule every 3 minutes, period of administration - no more than 30 minutes;
- for taeniasis - up to 7 g of the drug during the day.
Treatment is carried out in cycles under the supervision of a doctor. Before taking the extract, do an enema.There should be a gap of 10-12 days between procedures.
Restrictions and contraindications for use
Due to the content of toxic substances, shieldweed has contraindications. People suffering from heart and stomach diseases should not take drugs based on it.
Male fern is contraindicated in the following cases:
- angina pectoris;
- low pressure;
- heart failure;
- anemia;
- stomach ulcer;
- tuberculosis;
- liver and kidney damage;
- febrile conditions.
It is also prohibited to use the drug during pregnancy and breastfeeding. In addition, it is not recommended to give the drug to children under 14 years of age.
When using male fern, strictly adhere to the dosage. If consumed in excess, the drug causes poisoning, the first signs of which are dizziness, vision problems, nausea, vomiting, convulsions, diarrhea, and cardiac dysfunction. In case of individual intolerance, an allergic reaction is possible.
Conclusion
The male fern is one of the most common plants in the world. It is distinguished by its unpretentiousness and decorative appearance. The rhizome and leaves of the shield plant are used for medicinal purposes. Before use, consult a doctor. Fern helps get rid of parasites in the body, heal wounds, improve symptoms of inflammation of the ovaries, varicose veins, and joint diseases.
