Ostrich Fern
OTHER NAME(S): Fiddlehead Fern, Fougère d'Allemagne, Fougère Autruche, Fougère à l'Autruche, Fougère de l'Autruche, Fougère Plume d'Autruche, Garden Fern, Hardy Fern, Helecho de Pluma de Avestruz, Matteucie Fougère-à-l'Autruche, Ptérétide Noduleuse, Struthioptéride Germanique, Matteuccia struthiopteris, Osmunda struthiopteris, Helecho De Pluma De Avestruz, Fougère De L’autruche
Overview
Ostrich fern is a plant. The young shoots of ostrich fern, known as fiddleheads, are used to make medicine.
Ostrich fern is used as a gargle for sore throat, as a laxative, and for wounds and boils on the skin, but there is no good evidence to support any use.
In foods, fiddleheads are regarded as a seasonal delicacy. They are available canned, frozen, or fresh. Fresh fiddleheads must be boiled at least 10 minutes before eating. Otherwise they can cause severe food poisoning.
There isn't enough information to know how ostrich fern it might work.
There isn't enough information to know how ostrich fern it might work.
Uses
Insufficient Evidence for
- Sore throat, when used as a gargle.
- Wounds, when applied to the skin.
- Boils, when applied to the skin.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of ostrich fern for these uses.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Ostrich fern is LIKELY SAFE for most people when used as a food, as long as it is boiled for at least 10 minutes before eating.
Ostrich fern is LIKELY UNSAFE when the fern that has not been properly boiled is used as a food. It can cause nausea, vomiting, stomachcramps, diarrhea, headaches, and severe food poisoning.
There isn't enough reliable information to know if boiled ostrich fern is safe to use as medicine or what the side effects might be.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if ostrich fern is safe to use or what the side effects might be.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Ostrich fern is LIKELY SAFE for most people when used as a food, as long as it is boiled for at least 10 minutes before eating.
Ostrich fern is LIKELY UNSAFE when the fern that has not been properly boiled is used as a food. It can cause nausea, vomiting, stomachcramps, diarrhea, headaches, and severe food poisoning.
There isn't enough reliable information to know if boiled ostrich fern is safe to use as medicine or what the side effects might be.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if ostrich fern is safe to use or what the side effects might be.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if boiled ostrich fern is safe to use as medicine when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to usual food amounts.
Interactions
We currently have no information for Ostrich Fern overview.
Dosing
The appropriate dose of ostrich fern depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for ostrich fern. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
References
- The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prev. Ostrich fern poisoning New York and western Canada, 1994. JAMA 1995;273:912-3.