Adiantum capillus-veneris Linn.
Family Adiantaceae.
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, astragalin, kaempferol; hydroxycinnamic acid esters; terpenoids, including adiantone.
