Habitat: All along the Himalayas from Kashmir to Sikkim between altitudes of 1,800 and 2,700 m.
English: American Maidenhair Fern, Venus Hair, Rock Fern.Ayurvedic: Hansaraaja, Hansapadi (related sp.).Unani: Parsiaavashaan.Siddha/Tamil: Seruppadai.Folk: Mubaaraka.
Action: Astringent, demulcent, expectorant, antitussive, stimulant, emmenagogue. Fonds used in chronic catarrh (as an ingredient of cough and bronchial medicines); also in cold imposthumes of uterus, hard swellings and hard tumours of spleen, liver and other viscera.
The fern contains flavonoid gluco- sides, including rutin, isoquercetin, as- tragalin, kaempferol; hydroxycinnam- ic acid esters; terpenoids, including adiantone.... adiantum capillus-veneris
Burm.Synonym: A. philippense Linn.Family: Adiantaceae.
Habitat: Throughout the greater part of India, up to an altitude of 1,200 m.
English: Walking Maidenhair Fern. Black Maidenhair (A. venustum G. Don is also known as Hansaraaja.)Ayurvedic: Hansapadi, Hansapaadi, Raktapaadi, Kitamaataa, Tri- paadikaa, Hansaraaja; a substitute for Taamrachuda-paadikaa.Siddha/Tamil: Seruppadai.Folk: Raajhans, Mubaaraka.
Action: Febrifugal, antidysenteric, soothing agent in erysipelas. The rhizome is also prescribed for strangury, atrophy, emaciation or cachexy, muscular pain; emetic in large doses.
Along with other therapeutic applications, The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India indicates the use of the dried whole plant in psychosis-related fear. (It is one of the ingredients of the classical drug Maanasamitra Vataka, prescribed for mental disorders.)The chemical constituents are chlorophyll-degradation products and higher carotenoids.Dosage: Whole plant-1-3 g (API Vol. III.)... adiantum lunulatum
Uses: detoxicant for alcoholism; coughs, sore throat, bronchitis.
Preparations: Average dose, half-2 grams. Thrice daily.
Tea. quarter-1 teaspoon to each cup boiling water; infuse 15 minutes. Half a cup. Liquid Extract BHP (1983) 1:1 in 25 per cent alcohol. Dose, half-2ml.
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