The fern remains one of the most mysterious plants. The first thing that comes to mind is beautiful legend about one night on the holiday of Ivan Kupala. Young people go in search of a mysterious fern flower, which, according to legend, blooms for just a moment on this very night. The one who is lucky enough to find the color of a fern and has time to pick it, gains tremendous magical power, gains access to unlimited wealth and great happiness. Unfortunately, so far no one has managed to pick a fern flower.
The fern is a very beautiful and ancient plant. Its age exceeds more than 400 million years. Once the whole planet was covered with huge ferns, but now they have changed, decreased and some of the species have become indoor plants. To date, there are about 10,000 varieties of fern, of which only 2,000 grow in Russia.

Indoor Fern Care

Growing an indoor fern is not difficult. It is enough to follow a few rules. The first and main thing is the great whimsicalness of the fern in the water. The soil in the pot should be constantly moist, and the air in the room should not be very dry. For a fern, temperatures above +22 and below +10 C are detrimental. It is better to place a flower on an eastern or west side. The scorching sun will not burn his leaves, and the moisture will not evaporate so quickly. It is necessary to spray the fern during the day with soft, well-settled water. Additionally, you can humidify the air by placing a container of water next to it.
Today, among flower growers, there are common types of ferns such as Ruddy's maidenhair, Pelley's nephrolepis, Cyrtomium, Davallia, classic fern and many others. They differ from each other by a socket and sheet plate. When placing a fern next to other plants, make sure that its leaves have enough space. Be sure to remove damaged leaves, and then new and beautiful ones can grow in their place. Some types of fern reproduce by spores, but mainly by dividing the root with several leaves.

garden plant species

Indoor fern decorates your interior well, but in addition to growing it at home, there are also species for planting on the site. The most common of them is the common ostrich. In the wild, it can be found near swamps and in damp forests. On the garden plot it multiplies quickly enough and forms lush thickets. During growth, young fern leaves gradually straighten out, and by mid-June form a large green funnel. A month later, spore-bearing shoots grow in the middle of the plant, which are widely used by flower growers to make floral arrangements. It grows well both in the shade and on sunny area, the main thing is that the soil around it is always moist.
The male fern is also widespread. Its mature leaves reach a length of 1.5 meters and well shade the necessary areas of the garden. Their huge size it reaches only in the third year of life. It is his flower that they are trying to find on the night of Ivan Kupala.
There are other types of ferns that can not only decorate, but also delight with their beneficial properties. So, for example, the bracken fern is famous for its rhizomes, in which a lot of useful properties. IN folk medicine its dried roots are used to treat coughs, scrofula, joint pain, prostatitis and to get rid of worms.

Vitamin composition

As mentioned earlier, bracken fern root is very useful. It contains starch, saponins, alkaloids, hydrocyanic and tannic acids, essential oils, and fats. Young shoots of the plant are rich in vitamins, tocopherol, riboflavin, carotene. Fern proteins are similar in composition and properties to cereal proteins and are easily digested. The use of fern has a positive effect on the growth of the skeleton, increased activity nervous system, increases working capacity, improves the endocrine system, accelerates the metabolism and excretion of radionuclides from the body.

Application in cooking

The fern is used in various world cuisines. Prepared from young leaves delicious salads, and they are also boiled, pickled for the winter, fried and widely used as a seasoning for meat. The main thing to remember is that it is forbidden to use fern in its raw form, as it contains toxic substances, and you can easily get poisoned. The calorie content of fern is only 34 kcal per 100 grams, while the nutritional value is: proteins - 4.55 g, fats - 0.4 g, carbohydrates - 5.54 g

Beneficial features

Fern has been used in folk medicine for centuries. Inside take decoctions from rhizomes and herbs for aching joints, diarrhea, jaundice, diseases of the spleen and intestines, headache and chest pain. The decoction is used as a laxative, analgesic, diuretic and anthelmintic. Outside, the decoction is used in the treatment of eczema, wounds and abscesses. In the form of tincture baths, it is used for ulcers and rheumatism.

Contraindications for use

Fern infusions and decoctions should be used with extreme caution and preferably under the guidance of an experienced herbalist. It contains a number of acids that adversely affect the human body. It is prohibited for the treatment of diseases during pregnancy. Overdose can cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness, lowering blood pressure, convulsions, respiratory depression, and even death.

fern with meat rich in vitamins and minerals such as: vitamin A - 29.9%, beta-carotene - 31.5%, vitamin B2 - 11.9%, vitamin C - 21.2%, vitamin PP - 15.3%, cobalt - 28%, manganese - 17.7%, copper - 16.1%

What is useful fern with meat

• Vitamin A is responsible for normal development, reproductive function, skin and eye health, and maintaining immunity.
• B-carotene is a provitamin A and has antioxidant properties. 6 micrograms of beta-carotene is equivalent to 1 microgram of vitamin A.
• Vitamin B2 participates in redox reactions, increases the susceptibility of color by the visual analyzer and dark adaptation. Insufficient intake of vitamin B2 is accompanied by a violation of the condition skin, mucous membranes, impaired light and twilight vision.
• Vitamin C participates in redox reactions, functioning immune system promotes the absorption of iron. Deficiency leads to friable and bleeding gums, nosebleeds due to increased permeability and fragility of blood capillaries.
• Vitamin PP participates in redox reactions of energy metabolism. Inadequate vitamin intake is accompanied by a violation of the normal state of the skin, gastrointestinal intestinal tract and nervous system.
• Cobalt is part of vitamin B12. Activates metabolic enzymes fatty acids and folic acid metabolism.
• Manganese participates in the formation of bone connective tissue, is part of the enzymes involved in the metabolism of amino acids, carbohydrates, catecholamines; necessary for the synthesis of cholesterol and nucleotides. Insufficient consumption is accompanied by growth retardation, disorders in the reproductive system, increased fragility of bone tissue, disorders of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism.
• Copper is part of the enzymes that have redox activity and are involved in the metabolism of iron, stimulates the absorption of proteins and carbohydrates. Participates in the processes of providing tissues of the human body with oxygen. Deficiency is manifested by violations of the formation of cardio-vascular system and skeleton, the development of connective tissue dysplasia.

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The beneficial properties of the fern are primarily determined by the amazing ability to remove radiation, toxic substances from the body. The inhabitants of Japan were the first to pay attention to this feature: after the nuclear bombings, living organisms that easily survived them were ants. To be more precise - the kind of them that feeds only on bracken fern.

Subsequently, it turned out that of all existing varieties of this plant, only 2 are suitable for food, one of them is the bracken fern. It is used as a separate ingredient for various salads, as an unusual seasoning.

Bracken has a fairly low calorie content, which makes it an attractive component of the diet menu. By the way, many nutritionists successfully use this plant in their practice: they recommend that patients add it to salads and to meat dishes, drink useful infusions and decoctions.

The calorie content of bracken is 34 kcal per 100 g. If we talk about the nutritional value of this plant, miraculous in its properties, it is amazing due to the unusual percentage:

• carbohydrates - 5.54 g;
• fat - 0.4 g;
• proteins - 4.55 g.

The rhizome of this plant contains medicinal components:

• tannins, which provide excellent digestion;
• various essential oils and fats;
• flavonoids;
• eagle-tannin, glutamic, aspartic, nicotinic and hydrocyanic acids;
• alkaloids;
• starchy substances and saponins;
• riboflavin, tocopherol and carotene (contained in young shoots);
• various enzymes, in particular glycoside and thiaminase (an enzyme involved in the hydrolysis of thiamine).

The valuable composition of the bracken is represented by the following trace elements:

• nickel and potassium;
• magnesium, copper and sulfur;
• phosphorus, sodium and manganese;
• calcium and.

The proteins that make up the bracken, in their properties, are somewhat akin to cereals (wheat, oats). But the most important benefit of the fern is associated with a high concentration of biologically active elements.

Amazing Benefits

Doctors have long and very successfully used bracken in their practice: the beneficial properties of this plant help to treat many diseases. For example, it is indicated for patients who suffer from:

• dry and wet pleurisy;
• headaches and chest pains;
• jaundice (Botkin's disease);
• aching joints and pain in the bones;
• diarrhea
• tinnitus;
• malfunctions of the intestines, stomach and spleen.

On this medicinal properties eagles do not end. A decoction prepared from its leaves and roots helps with constipation. The plant is also used to relieve pain, get rid of worms, excrete urine (in case of violation of the diuretic function).

By the way, people have known about the pain-relieving ability of this plant for a long time. Many centuries ago, the fern was applied to wounds, burns, and bruises. And he removed even the most severe pain.

1. It is especially useful for those people who lead a sedentary lifestyle. For example, he spends a lot of time at the computer or watching TV.
2. Due to the bracken saves a person from leukemia and radiation sickness.
3. In an accelerated mode, it restores impaired metabolism, thereby contributing to quick and comfortable weight loss.
4. Perfectly removes the excitation of the nervous system and strong tension, normalizes the pulse.
5. Restores to in full lack of vitamins in spring beriberi.
6. Removes heavy and harmful metals, radionuclides, improves activity endocrine system. The working capacity of a person after the use of bracken increases significantly.
7. Bracken is also used for ulcerative manifestations, convulsions. He actively treats rheumatism, hemorrhoids, sciatica.

As you can see, the medicinal properties of this variety of fern are truly limitless. The main thing is to learn how to harvest the plant and apply it correctly.

Rules for collection and use

If the fern leaves are young, they are used to make salads. In addition, bracken can be prepared for the future - pickled or pickled. It is an excellent seasoning for meat and fish dishes. But the old leaves of the plant should not be eaten, they can be dried and later used for infusions, lotions and decoctions.

If a person is concerned about sciatica, rheumatic and other pain, vegetable raw materials must be steamed and added to the bathroom.

For a fern to be useful, it must be harvested. in early spring. After all, in summer and autumn it loses some of its healing properties.

Young shoots should be stored in the refrigerator, and no longer than 2 days. If you do not have time to use bracken within the specified period, it will become poisonous and harmful to the body.

Harm and contraindications

Despite such an abundance of useful properties, bracken has its own contraindications. First of all, it should be remembered that this plant contains toxic substances in its composition. That is why it is necessary to consult an experienced herbalist or homeopathic doctor before using it.

Dosage must be observed during preparation medicinal product. If you ignore this rule, you may experience nausea, severe dizziness, vomiting, convulsions, and severe headaches.

Even death is possible, especially if you used low-quality shoots or fern leaves for treatment. Have you noticed any of the above symptoms after using the plant? Call your doctor right away and have a good gastric lavage.

Bracken Fern (Pteridium aguillinum)

Description

The scientific name of the plant comes from the following words: pteron in Greek means "wing", and aquila - in Latin "eagle". The leaves of this fern really resemble the wing of a huge bird.

The bracken stem grows underground. Young leaves - fronds are formed in May and at first resemble a snail, and as they grow, they unfold and look like a hook. The petiole of a leaf is called a rachis. Ferns reproduce by spores.

Interesting Facts

The fern is one of the oldest plants on earth that has survived to this day. Scientists believe that the compressed wood of ancient ferns has become the main forming material of coal.

Everyone knows the belief that whoever finds a fern flower on the night of Ivan Kupala will be able to find all the treasures and open all hearts. It's just a legend - the fern never blooms.

Composition

Bracken fern rhizome contains starch, alkaloids, saponins, hydrocyanic and bracken-tannic acid, essential oils, flavonoids, fat, tannins. Young shoots are rich in vitamins, tocopherol, riboflavin, carotene, nicotinic acid.

Bracken fern proteins in their properties and composition are close to the proteins of grain crops, they are easily digested. Fern has long been eaten by taiga residents Far East as well as residents of Korea and Japan. The use of fern favorably affects the growth processes, helps the formation of the skeleton, metabolism, the activity of the nervous system, increases efficiency, improves the state of the endocrine system, and contributes to the removal of radionuclides from the body.

Application

Fern used in cooking different peoples peace. Salads are prepared from young leaves, “snails” are boiled, fried, pickled and salted for the winter, used as a seasoning for meat. Bracken fern rachis taste like mushrooms. Fresh fern is not used!

Beneficial features

Fern has been used for medicinal purposes for a long time. Inside, a decoction of rhizomes and herbs is taken for diseases of the spleen and intestines, for aching joints, diarrhea, jaundice, headache and chest pain, for dry pleurisy, noise in the head, and as a laxative, diuretic, analgesic and anthelmintic.

Outwardly, a decoction of fern rhizomes is used for wounds, eczema, scrofula, abscesses. The infusion can be used for ulcers and rheumatism in the form of baths.

Contraindications

Fern infusions and decoctions should be used very carefully, under the guidance of an experienced herbalist, since the fern is poisonous.

You can not be treated with fern during pregnancy!

Overdose can lead to nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, convulsions, lowering blood pressure, respiratory depression, weakening of the heart and even death.

Calorie and nutritional value of fern

Fern calories - 34 kcal.

Fern nutritional value: proteins - 4.55 g, fats - 0.4 g, carbohydrates - 5.54 g

Modern ferns (lat. Polypodiphyta) are one of the few ancient plants (appeared about 400 million years ago) that have retained a significant diversity comparable to what it was in the past. Ferns vary greatly in size, life forms(both herbaceous and arboreal forms of life are found), life cycles(alternating asexual and sexual generation), structural features and other features. Appearance they are so characteristic that people usually call them all the same - ferns, not suspecting that this is the largest group of spore plants: there are about 300 genera and more than 10,000 species of ferns.

Ferns are ubiquitous, although they do not always attract attention. But most of them big variety- where it is warm and damp: tropics and subtropics. It is found in birch forests throughout Russia. Widely distributed in the Urals, Siberia, Altai, the Far East.
Their main feature is that they do not have seeds, and they reproduce mainly by spores.

Their main feature is that they do not have seeds. And they reproduce by spores.

Not every fern can be eaten: common bracken is considered edible (pteridium aquilinum), common ostrich (matteuccia struthiopteris), osmunda cinnamon (osmunda cinnamomea) and several other species, while others are absolutely tasteless or even poisonous.

Composition

Bracken fern rhizome contains starch, alkaloids, saponins, hydrocyanic and bracken-tannic acid, essential oils, flavonoids, fat, tannins. Young shoots are rich in vitamins, tocopherol, riboflavin, carotene, nicotinic acid.
Of the microelements, the bracken accumulates iodine, potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper, sodium, nickel, sulfur, and phosphorus.

Bracken fern proteins in their properties and composition are close to the proteins of grain crops, they are easily digested. Fern has long been eaten by taiga residents of the Far East, as well as residents of Korea and Japan. The use of fern favorably affects the growth processes, helps the formation of the skeleton, metabolism, the activity of the nervous system, increases efficiency, improves the state of the endocrine system, and contributes to the removal of radionuclides from the body.

Calorie and nutritional value of fern

Fern calories - 34 kcal.

Fern nutritional value: proteins - 4.55 g, fats - 0.4 g, carbohydrates - 5.54 g

Beneficial features

Fern has been used for medicinal purposes for a long time. Inside, a decoction of rhizomes and herbs is taken for diseases of the spleen and intestines, for aching joints, diarrhea, jaundice, headache and chest pain, for dry pleurisy, noise in the head and ears, as a laxative, diuretic, analgesic and anthelmintic.
Orlyak stimulates metabolism, relieves stress.

Outwardly, a decoction of fern rhizomes is used for wounds, eczema, scrofula, abscesses. The infusion can be used for ulcers and rheumatism in the form of baths.

Contraindications

Fern infusions and decoctions should be used very carefully, under the guidance of an experienced herbalist, since the fern is poisonous.

You can not be treated with fern during pregnancy!

Overdose can lead to nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, convulsions, lowering blood pressure, respiratory depression, weakening of the heart and even death.

Application in cooking

Fern is used in cooking around the world. Salads are prepared from young leaves, “snails” are boiled, fried, pickled and salted for the winter, used as a seasoning for meat.

Interesting fact: IN Slavic mythology fern flower endowed magical properties although the ferns do not bloom. On the night of Ivan Kupala, lovers are looking for this mythical fern flower (according to legend, it blooms for just a moment), believing that it will bring eternal happiness to their couple.

It's interesting that South America, Australia, New Zealand eat starch-rich rhizomes of bracken fern. Yes and in Western Europe they once made flour and even brewed beer.
Based on materials from wikipedia.org, gastronom.ru, lady.mail.ru