The healing power of real maidenhair

There are many different types of Venus, but only some are hardy. In Europe, maidenhair is found in southern areas. It likes to grow on rocks and cliffs. The plant prefers to grow near the sea. In Limburg you can see the plants growing on the chalk cliffs. In Belgium, this plant regularly grows on the walls of old buildings such as monasteries. NB! This article is written from the personal view of the author and may contain information that is not scientifically substantiated and/or in line with the general view.

Botanical drawing of maidenhair / Source: Janus (Jan) Kops, Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Contents:

• General information
• Past use
• Nicholas Culpeper
• Respiratory tract
• Anti-inflammatory syrup
• Naming
• Ingredients
• Good against rheumatic diseases

General information

The plant is more common in Belgium than in the Netherlands, where you only see the plant in Maastricht. The plant is kept as a houseplant and sometimes it manages to escape from the house, so you see it locally in the city. The plant also grows in the Amazon region in South America.

Past use

In ancient Egypt, maidenhair was used to sober up faster. The infusion of the root was used in European folk medicine to wash the hair. This makes the hair thicker. It would also make it longer and even lead to the formation of curls. It is also a remedy that helps with snake and spider bites. In addition, maidenhair has slightly diuretic properties. It is therefore used, among other things, for kidney inflammation, but also for jaundice or liver inflammation. The latter is related to the liver-protective effect of maidenhair.

Venus hair / Source: Robb Hannawacker, Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Nicholas Culpeper

Nicholas Culpeper, an English botanist, physicist, astronomer and herbalist from the 17th century, wrote about maidenhair ferns: ‘This and all other maidenhair ferns is a good remedy for coughs, asthma, pleurisy, (and other respiratory diseases-ed), and on By its nature, it is a mild diuretic and can also be used for jaundice, kidney stones and other impurities of the kidneys.’

Respiratory tract

Venus hair is used for respiratory infections such as sore throat, colds, pneumonia, asthma and bronchitis. It is not cooked; it is added to boiling water. The water is allowed to cool and mixed with honey. It is drunk in a small glass (150ml). Venus hair has a mild fever-reducing effect. If a disease such as respiratory problems was accompanied by fever, maidenhair is considered an excellent remedy in traditional medicine.

Anti-inflammatory syrup

In France, a syrup is made from strong tea from the leaves and roots of maidenhair, called ‘sirop de capillare’. This syrup is used by naturopaths for the various conditions mentioned above. Because it is a safe drug, you can take as much as desired. In 2013, a scientific study was published in India showing that maidenhair indeed has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, something naturopathic medicine knew from experience. A syrup is also made from it in Peru. In addition to the properties already mentioned, this syrup is traditionally used in Peru for menstrual problems. In addition, it is a diaphoretic.

Naming

Why do we use Latin in science? Because this allows us to exclude errors about which plant it concerns. The Latin name of maidenhair is Adiantum capillus veneris . In Dutch we also say hair herb, moon fern and woman’s hair to this plant. In England they say maidenhair fern to this plant. The plant often grows on a rock and there it hangs, just like hair.

Ingredients

The roots and leaves, both of which are used for the preparation of medicines, contain: adiantone, adiantoxide, astragalin, beta-sitosterol, caffeic acids, caffeylgalactose, caffeylglucose, campesterol, carotenes, coumaric acids, coumarylglucose, diplopterol, (E)-2- decenal, epoxyphilicane, fernadiene, fernene, filicans, hopanone, hydroxy-adiantone, hydroxy-cinnamic acids, isoadiantone, isoquercetin, kaempferol, lutein, mutatoxanthin, naringin, neoxanthin, nicotiflorin, oleananes, populnin, procyanidin, prodelfinidin, quercetin, querciturone, quinic acid, rhodoxanthin, rutin, shikimidic acid, violaxanthin and zeaxanthin.

Good against rheumatic diseases

Adiantum pedatum occurs in the United States . This was used as a medicinal plant by the first European pioneers; it helps with the same conditions as the European kind. The Europeans probably adopted the use of this plant from the North American Indians. They used it as a diuretic, making it a good herb for rheumatism. Rheumatic conditions such as osteoarthritis, arthritis and gout are caused by fluid retention, particularly uric acid. By using diuretic herbs, the cause of rheumatism is removed. The Kayenta people of the USA used this plant to smoke to cure mental disorders, which used to be called foolishness.

Venus hair grows hanging like hair and is good for the hair. This is correct according to the signature theory, which states that the external characteristics of plants reveal their medicinal aspects to humans.