Medicinal Monday - Delicate and Useful the Maidenhair Fern

The Maidenhair fern has such an old-fashioned-sounding name. It is in the family, Pteridaceae, and is native to the forests in eastern North America. There are multiple species of ferns that have many medicinal uses. This fern can be found in Connecticut and throughout the east coast as far north as Ontario, Canada.

About Maidenhair

Also called Adiantum pedatum, this fern is referred to as the northern maidenhair fern or the five-fingered fern. The foliage of this fern is finely textured and has a distinctive fan shape and lacey, green fronds that gracefully tumble over shiny black, curved stems. This fern grows in a variety of habitats but favors soils that are both humus-rich, moist, and well-drained. It grows in both soil and on rocky ledges if there is enough moisture present. If the soil becomes too dry the plant can go dormant and return to life when there is enough moisture. Maidenhead Ferns spread slowly by branching rhizomes to form large colonies over time. The plant contains mucilage as well as high levels of tannins which give it its astringent properties.

Medicinal & Ceremonial Uses

 In general, this fern was used topically by Native Americans as a poultice or wash for bleeding, insect stings, snakebites, arthritis, and hair.

The Adiantum pedatum species of this fern was used by the Iroquois for children’s cramps, as a decoction.  A compound decoction of the green roots is used as a foot soak for rheumatism and taken internally.  Decoction of roots is taken as a diuretic for the cessation of urine due to stones.  An infusion of this plant is used as an emetic for love medicine.  A compound decoction or infusion is taken for excessive menstruation and a decoction of the roots is used to bring on menses and for abortion.  

Cherokee used Maidenhair for rheumatism. They made a decoction of the root and applied it with warm water as an external rub, or took the infusion internally.  An infusion or decoction of the whole plant was used as an emetic for a fever with chills.  Powdered leaves are smoked for heart trouble or smoked for asthma. Sacred preparation of the whole plant was used specifically for women’s irregular heartbeat.  Cherokee considered Maidenshair a powerful medicine for the heart.

The Costanoan of California used a decoction to purify the blood and for stomach troubles.  Hesquiat of western Canada mixed the ashes in a formula for shortness of breath, and to produce strength and endurance.  The Makah chewed the fronds for a weak stomach.  

The Menomini used a compound decoction of the root for dysentery; they also used the blade, stem, and root in gynecology.  The Micmac and Algonquians used this plant in a decoction for fits.  The Potawatomi of the upper Mississippi River used an infusion of the root for caked breasts and applied a poultice of the plant to the sore back of babies. 

The Hesquiat use of Maidenhair for endurance played out in ceremonial dancing, for which the infusion would be used, especially in winter, to prevent fatigue.  Nitinaht also used Maidenhair for ceremonial dancing.  Such uses along with the sacred preparation practiced by the Cherokee indicate that this beautiful fern was regarded as a sacred medicine.  Additionally, the black stems of Maidenhair were used by Potawatomi as a hunting charm.

Did You Know...

Many Native American communities made a wash of the stems to keep their hair shiny. Highly valued in the 19^th century as a medicinal plant, in modern times maidenhair is still used as a holistic alternative for the treatment of hair loss.

Native Americans used the dark shiny stems in basketry.

This fern provides shelter for toads and lizards.

The maidenhair fern in the Adiantum genus of 200 species grows around the world from New Zealand to the Andes.

Today it is used in woodland gardens and is excellent for naturalizing on shaded hillsides or any protected area. It looks its best when it is kept out of the wind. 

The graceful, fan-like pattern of the Adiantum pedatum is unique among native ferns.

Ferms of the genus that grows in the west are treated as a subspecies called A. pedatum var. or ssp.aleuticum but they look the same.