Male Fern

Generic name: Dryopteris Filix-mas (L.) Schott, Dryopteris Marginalis (L.) A. Gray
Brand names: Aspidium, Bear's Paw, Knotty Brake, Male Fern, Marginal Woodfern, Shield Fern, Worm Fern

Usage of Male Fern

Anti-inflammatory activity

Animal data

In rats, ethanolic D. filix-mas leaf extract and ethyl acetate and bUTAnol fractions demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity in paw edema tests.Erhirhie 2019

Vermifuge

Animal data

Filicin and filmarone are active vermifuges, particularly toxic to tapeworms.Duke 2002, Khan 2010

Clinical data

An older clinical study examined the anthelmintic effects of male fern administered via intubation compared with those of piperazine.Goodwin 1958 Another study examined male fern's anthelmintic properties using the plant's encapsulated extract in combination with a magnesium sulfate pretreatment solution.Mello 1978

Other uses

Antioxidant, antimicrobial, and chemotherapeutic properties of related fern species, particularly D. crassirhizoma and D. fragrans, have been investigated.Cao 2013, Gao 2016, Han 2015, Huang 2014, Jiang 2013, Kwon 2007, Lee 2008, Lu 2012, Magalhães 2010, Mazzio 2009, Sun 2013, Xie 2015, Zhang 2012, Zhao 2014

Male Fern side effects

Therapeutic doses have been associated with adverse events,Duke 2002, Hargreaves 1966, Khan 2010 including headache, dyspnea, nausea, diarrhea, vertigo, tremor, convulsions, and cardiac and respiratory failure.Khan 2010 Impaired vision and jaundice have also been reported.Duke 2002, Hargreaves 1966

Before taking Male Fern

Avoid use. Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking.

How to use Male Fern

Clinical evidence does not support specific dosing of male fern. Traditional dosages for anthelmintic use have resulted in adverse effects.Duke 2002

Warnings

Male fern extract is potentially toxic.Duke 2002, Hargreaves 1966, Khan 2010 While D. filix-mas was formerly listed in the United States Pharmacopeia, mentions were later removed.Franchi 1988, Khan 2010 Some consumer websites reference a 1976 German report of penis enlargement in rats with the use of D. filix-mas extract, but the effect has not been explained or further elucidated.Kantemir 1976

What other drugs will affect Male Fern

None well documented. Traditional use of male fern extract combined with Castor oil increases absorption of the extract, resulting in increased toxicity.Khan 2010

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