Common potted fern

Of the Common potted fern, in this country also as Angelic sweet known, originally comes from the tropical rainforests of South America. The persistent plant giants of prehistoric times have populated the globe for more than 200 million years. Spotted fern plants have a variety of health benefits and are found in more than 50 plant genera and 1200 different species worldwide.

Occurrence and cultivation of the common potted fern

When the spores are ripening from July to October, the eponymous circular and dot-like groups of spores form on the undersides of the leathery, dark green leaves. Of the Common potted fern (Polypodium vulgare) belongs to the genus of potted ferns (Polypodium). The year-round green, persistent growing plant forms dense stands with little pinnate, up to 50 centimeters long leaf fronds. When the spores are ripening from July to October, the eponymous circular and dot-like groups of spores form on the undersides of the leathery, dark green leaves.

The real fern is a 10 to 40 centimeter high and creeping plant that forms rhizomes - rooted, above-ground shoots. The native sprout plant appreciates shady to partially shaded, mild winter and moderately dry, lime-free locations. Potted fern can be found on moss-covered soils in oak and beech forests, often also on shady crevices. The common potted fern thrives extensively in humid zones on sand, rock and clay soils.

With its frost-resistant fronds, the penumbra plant grows at altitudes of 1200 meters. In Germany, the distribution area ranges from the Allgäu Alps in Vorarlberg to the Bavarian Forest and the Rott and Inn valleys.

Effect & application

For millions of years, huge colonies of ferns dominated the tropical and subtropical flora of our earth. The potted ferns of the impenetrable rainforests of South America are still giants of the ancient world, living witnesses of evolutionary history. The perennial fern genus with feathery, entire or toothed fronds is represented worldwide with around 200 different species.

There are three medium-sized, non-flowering wild shrub species native to Europe. In addition to the common potted fern, the Saw-dot fern (Polypodium cambricum L.) and the Medium potted fern (Polypodium interjectum Shivas) nationwide from Central Europe to the Middle East and Northwest Africa. The robust potted ferns thrive excellently on stony beds and shady stone structures, are decorative grave plants and evergreen winter protection for clumps.

The filigree fronds of the ornamental leaves are often used as cut green for flower bouquets and are also a popular eye-catcher as decorative indoor plants. In indoor culture, real ferns require little care if they are ideally located. Without direct sunlight and with constant humidity of 20 degrees, the spore plants grow up to one meter high.

The botanical name Polypodium is derived from the Greek and means many feet. The creeping rhizomes of the rhizome, the "many-footed" spore groups, show themselves in this fern genus with the typical spotted spore pattern. The vernacular gave the common potted fern its name Angelic sweet, due to its licorice-like, sweet taste. The wild plant is also called in this country Very sweet, Oak fern or Coral root known.

Even in ancient times, the Romans and Greeks valued the diverse healing effects of angelic sweet. For example, packs against rheumatic complaints and ointment preparations with laxative, cholatory and expectorant properties were made from the roots. In the herbal books of the Middle Ages, tea preparations from the rootstock were recommended for internal use against parasite infestation in the intestinal tract, for hoarseness, cough, whooping cough, nightmares, gout, constipation and liver diseases.

For a long time, angelic sweet was considered a tried and tested means of hygienic room disinfection in the event of insect infestation and as a pig substitute feed in times of food emergency. In traditional Chinese medicine, the medicinal plant has been known as a valuable ethnobotanical for thousands of years - as an effective medicine against sprains, sprains, water retention, tinnitus and even for external use on abrasions.

Importance for health, treatment & prevention

The common potted fern contains an abundance of medicinally useful ingredients. Its high proportion of health-promoting bitter substances, tannins and mucilages, flavonoids, resins, essential oils, pteridine, phloroglucin, glycyrrhizin and sugars make this non-fragrant plant an extremely potent natural medicine. The steroid saponin Osladin is a natural sweetener made from the ground sprouts of the root stock and is responsible for the plant-specific, sweet taste.

However, industrial extraction is not worthwhile here, as osladin only occurs in very low concentrations. In addition, angel sweet contains the ingredient ecdysterone, a hormone-like substance that is used in complex products for athletes' build-up preparations for muscle stimulation. The common potted fern is traditionally used in preparations to increase the secretion of bile juices and as a mild laxative with a diuretic effect.

The ingredients of the rhizomes stimulate the appetite and soothe sore throats and stomach pains, hives, and spleen and liver problems.

Folk medicine praises angelic sweet as a natural antibiotic, but this finding is neither scientifically proven nor adequately documented. In principle, caution is required with self-therapies - an overdose threatens poisoning, in the worst case respiratory arrest and death. Administration with ready-made preparations is ideal, provided that there is a therapeutic need indicated by a doctor.

Pharmacies, natural medicine providers and drug manufacturers now offer a wide range of high-quality angel-sweet complex products. These broadly effective combination preparations are offered in ointment form as a foot ointment against joint inflammation or calluses, in drops or tablets for diarrhea, heartburn and intestinal inflammation or as capsules for basic sun protection.

If you want to prepare a tea yourself for acute sore throats and stomach pains, you should also use commercially available ready-made mixtures. Do-it-yourself recipe tip: 15 grams of dried angelic sweet root extract is first scalded with 500 milliliters of boiling water. The tea preparation should steep for 10 minutes and is then strained. If necessary, the tea drink to be consumed throughout the day can be sweetened with honey.