Hart's-Tongue Fern - the Medicinal Fern

The plant "Asplenium scolopendrium", known in Bulgaria as volski ezik ("ox tongue") and in English as hart's-tongue fern, is an evergreen fern of the genus Asplenium with exceptional health benefits.

Hart's-tongue fern is an evergreen plant. We come across it in shady spots in deciduous forests, and it is very good to be familiar with its medicinal properties. 

"Ox tongue", "deer tongue" or "buffalo tongue" are just some of the names our people have given this miraculous herb. It seems, however, that over the years we have forgotten its properties, displaced by chemical substances, which is why we want to introduce you to it. 

#Botanical characteristics

Hart's-tongue fern looks like a traditional fern with simple, undivided fronds. They are 10-60 cm long and 3-6 cm wide.

They are also characteristically hairless, entire, linear-lanceolate and slightly wavy at the edges. They are heart-shaped at the base, with long stalks growing straight from the rhizome. Their shape strongly resembles an ox's tongue, which is where the Bulgarian name comes from.

#Folk names of the herb in other countries

English - Hart's-tongue fern, Russian - Олений язык, German - Hurschzungenfarn, French - langue de cerf.

#Distribution

"Asplenium scolopendrium" is a common diploid species in Europe. In North America it occurs in rare, widely scattered populations.

The herb grows on neutral and lime-rich substrates, including moist soil and damp crevices in old walls, most often in shady areas. Plants exposed to more sunlight are usually stunted and yellowish, while those in full shade are dark green and lush.

In the USA the plant was declared endangered in 1989. The reason why the European variety is relatively widespread while the American one is rare has not yet been established. A third variety, A. scolopendrium var. lindenii, occurs in southern Mexico and Hispaniola.

#Cultivation

Hart's-tongue fern is often grown as an ornamental plant, with several cultivars selected for different leaf shapes. The species "Asplenium scolopendrium" has won the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit in the UK, as has the cultivar 'Angustatum'.

The American variety is thought to be difficult to grow, and even in North America most, if not all, cultivated plants are derived from the European forms.

#The leaves 

are gathered in summer and can be dried for later use.

#How to pick

The whole, fully developed leaf blades are cut. Yellowed, darkened or insect-eaten leaves are not picked.

#How to dry

After cleaning, the gathered leaves are dried in the shade or in a dryer at up to 45 degrees. Permissible moisture content is 12%.

#Storing hart's-tongue fern

In dry, well-ventilated rooms.

#How the plant is propagated

Spores - they are best sown as soon as they ripen on the surface of humus-rich sterilised soil. The compost should be kept moist, preferably by placing a plastic bag over the pot.

The spores usually germinate in spring. Spring-sown spores germinate in 1-3 months at 15 degrees Celsius. Once the plants are 15 cm tall or more, it is best to plant them out in their permanent position in spring.

The time for picking hart's-tongue fern is from July to September.

#Part of hart's-tongue fern used

The part of the herb used for medicinal purposes is the leaves without their stalks (Folia Scolopendri).

#Composition of the plant

Tannins and mucilaginous substances and free amino acids — aspartic, glutamic and others have been identified.

#Use of hart's-tongue fern in herbal medicine 

In the 1800s this fern was used as a medicinal plant in folk medicine as 

• a tonic for spleen problems 
• coughs
• bronchitis
• tracheitis
• inflammatory diseases of the liver, gallbladder and kidneys
• cystopyelitis
• cholecystopathies
• pyelonephritis

Hart's-tongue fern may help to: 

• increase urine production 
• soften stools 
• and stimulate the bowel to contract and empty
• hart's-tongue fern leaves have an expectorant action 
•  

#Medicinal use: 

The leaves have an astringent effect and act as a diuretic and expectorant. 

Externally, the plant is used as an ointment to treat burns. 

An infusion is taken internally to treat diarrhoea, dysentery and bladder deposits and to clear obstructions of the liver and spleen.

#Hart's-tongue fern herbal extract

Hart's-tongue fern leaves have an expectorant action. 

An extract of the herb has a strongly soothing action on the mucous membrane of the bronchi and trachea, thins phlegm, eases breathing and calms coughs. 

As a result of its 

• anti-inflammatory and disinfectant action

inflammatory processes in the respiratory tract subside quickly.

Hart's-tongue fern has properties relevant to:

• coughs
• bronchitis
• tracheitis
• inflammatory diseases of the liver, gallbladder and kidneys
• cystopyelitis
• diseases of the spleen
• cholecystopathies
• pyelonephritis
• diuretic action
• soothes spasms of the internal organs (intestines and urinary tract) 
• has a certain haemostatic and anti-inflammatory action and supports wound healing

#Hart's-tongue fern herbal tincture "BRONHO"

Hart's-tongue fern is included in the formula of our herbal tincture "BRONHO"

Hart's-tongue fern leaves have an expectorant action. An extract of the herb has a strongly soothing action on the mucous membrane of the bronchi and trachea, thins phlegm, eases breathing and calms coughs. As a result of its anti-inflammatory and disinfectant action, inflammatory processes in the respiratory tract subside quickly. The herb has a diuretic action. It soothes spasms of the internal organs (intestines and urinary tract). It has a certain haemostatic and anti-inflammatory action. 

#Are there any safety concerns?

There is not enough information available to know whether the plant is completely safe or what its possible adverse reactions are. In general it is a very useful herb that is effective for a number of problems. 

But, like any plant, it may sometimes react negatively with certain medicines or with some chronic conditions, so it is advisable to be careful and to consult a health adviser or specialist.

It is not advisable to use this herb during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

#Dosage

The appropriate dose of hart's-tongue fern depends on several factors, such as the user's age, state of health and several other aspects. 

Hart's-tongue fern herbal tincture is taken as 20/30 drops, 3 times a day, dissolved in a glass of water.

Bear in mind, however, that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. We should not forget to follow the relevant instructions on product labels and to consult a pharmacist, doctor or other medical professional before use.

#Recipes to prepare at home

If you want to treat yourself with this interesting herb, go for it! You can use it for kidney problems or gallbladder inflammation.

You can also get a diuretic effect from hart's-tongue fern. The plant has been shown to soothe spasms of the intestines and urinary tract.

#Infusion of the herb

If you want to make an infusion of the herb, bring 300 ml of water to the boil on the hob. Then add a tablespoon of the herb to the water and leave it to steep for an hour.

You can then strain the infusion and drink about 100 ml three times a day. This infusion is very suitable for treating pleural effusion, kidney inflammation and spleen problems.

If you want to get rid of a stubborn cough, pour one litre of boiling water over 10 g of the herb. Boil it on the hob for a quarter of an hour, then strain the liquid. Drink the decoction warm before meals, 1 teacup at a time.

But remember that when taken as a tincture, the herb is at its most concentrated and you will feel its results fastest.

As well as on its own, hart's-tongue fern can be used in combination with other herbs.

Some combinations are particularly useful for acute bronchitis.

#The beloved Bulgarian herb

These are the main and most important facts about the herb called volski ezik, so loved by Bulgarians. The plant is very, very useful, especially in winter, when our lungs often suffer from viruses and infections.

As we all know, health is the most important thing for living well and feeling happy. The best thing is that nature has given us many riches and remedies that work wonders and help people feel happy.

If you are looking for a natural remedy to support your health, hart's-tongue fern is a wonderful choice. What's more, it is easy to gather, store and prepare!

Nature has given us a whole bouquet of healing gifts – and we should be very grateful to it. Grateful because, amid all the chemical and synthetic products on the market, there are natural products we can use to treat ourselves. It is with them that we feel better.

#HART'S-TONGUE FERN - THE MEDICINAL FERN ➤ VIDEO