Male Fern
OTHER NAME(S): American Aspidium, Bear's Paw, Dryoptère Fougère Mâle, Dryopteris filix-mas, European Aspidium, Fougère Mâle, Knotty Brake, Marginal Fern, Shield Fern, Water Loving Fern, Dryopteris filix-mas, Helecho Macho, Fougère mâle
Overview
Male fern (Dryopteris filix-mas) is an evergreen plant that grows in Nigeria. Traditional healers use it as medicine, but it is a very poisonous plant.
Male fern contains chemicals that can kill intestinal worms such as tapeworms. But taking male fern by mouth can cause death.
Despite serious safety concerns, some people use male fern for rheumatoid arthritis, intestinal parasites, wound healing, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Uses
We currently have no information for Male Fern overview.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Male fern is likely unsafe. It is toxic and should not be consumed. Canada requires that male fern products be labeled "For external use only." Taking male fern can lead to very serious side effects, including death.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if male fern is safe or what the side effects might be.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Male fern is likely unsafe. It is toxic and should not be consumed. Canada requires that male fern products be labeled "For external use only." Taking male fern can lead to very serious side effects, including death.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if male fern is safe or what the side effects might be.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Taking male fern by mouth is likely unsafe for anyone, including those who are pregnant or breast-feeding. Avoid use.
Stomach and intestinal conditions: Certain stomach and intestinal conditions might increase the amount of male fern that is absorbed by the body. This bigger dose of male fern could lead to more serious side effects.
Interactions
We currently have no information for Male Fern overview.
Dosing
Male fern is used by traditional Nigerian healers. But male fern is very poisonous. Taking it by mouth is unsafe and can lead to death. Avoid use.
References
- Blumenthal M, ed. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Trans. S. Klein. Boston, MA: American Botanical Council, 1998.
- The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
- Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
- McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
- Fetrow CW, Avila JR. Professional's Handbook of Complementary & Alternative Medicines. 1st ed. Springhouse, PA: Springhouse Corp., 1999.
- Erhirhie EO, Emeghebo CN, Ilodigwe EE, et al. Dryopteris filix-mas (L.) Schott ethanolic leaf extract and fractions exhibited profound anti-inflammatory activity. Avicenna J Phytomed. 2019 Jul-Aug;9(4):396-409.