Drynaria quercifolia
Image: Dr. Niya Randeep
This plant is an epiphytic fern recently found in various research activities, a recent one revealing the fact that this plant has the ability to regenerate bones. It is found throughout India, especially in the plains of very low down in the mountains on trees or rocks of south china, Malaysia and tropical Australia.
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
Botanical name: Drynaria quercifolia(Linn.)J.Smith
Aglaomorpha quercifolia (L.) Hovenkamp & S. Linds.
Family: Polypodiaceae
Sanskrit name: Aswakatri
English: Woodfern, basket fern, oak leaf fern
Hindi: Aswakatri, Katikapan
Malayalam: Matilpanna, Pannakizangu, Pannikizangu, Annan pacha
Image: Dr. Niya Randeep
TAXONOMY
Family- Polypodiaceae
Kingdom-Plantae
Genus- Agalomorpha
Class-Polypodiopsida
Drynaria quercifolia is an epiphytic fern with short thick fleshy creeping rhizome and densely clothed with reddish-brown soft scales. The fronds are of two types. The sterile fronds are small, somewhat concave and become brown on aging. The fertile fronds are long-stalked, large pinnately lobed, leathery having a network of small quadrangular areoles.
Image: Dr. Rajesh Nair
MEDICINAL PARTS USED
Rhizome, fronds, and leaves
chemical constituents present in this part of the plant are Friedelin, epifriedelinil, beta -amyrin, beta-sitosterol, beta sitosterol3-beta-D-glucopyranoside, and naringin were isolated from the dry rhizome of Drynaria quercifolia.
PHYTOCHEMISTRY
Total ash value-9.93%
Acid insoluble ash value- 4.49%
Water-soluble ash value 6.96%
Extractive values of alcohol and water were found to be 9.87% and 13.94%
Pet ether extract revealed the presence of phytosterols and fixed oils and fats. Chloroform extract revealed the presence of sterols, a methanolic extract shows the presence of alkaloids, tannins and water extract has shown the presence of tannins, proteins, amino acids, carbohydrates, gums, and mucilages.
Image: Dr. Rajesh Nair
NUTRITIVE VALUE
The presence of amino acids, proteins, fats, and carbohydrates in the extracts confirms the fact that it is highly nutritious.
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Anti Pyretic
Anti-Inflammatory
Antimicrobial
Antioxidant
Hepato Protective
Wound Healing
Antifertility
Analgesic
Anti Gonorrheal
AYURVEDA PROPERTIES WITH REFERENCE
Taste- Bitter( Rasa – Tikta)
Light and Unctuous( Guna -Laghu, and Snigdha)
Cold in potency(Veerya- Seetha)
Vipaka – Katu
Vata Pitta Shamana
The plant is identified as Aswakathri as per IMP, Kottakal.
अरवकत्री तु तीक्तं स्यात् जन्तुशोफजीत् ।
दुष्टव्रण२वासकासन्धिशोफज्व२ादीषु ॥
शिरस्तोंदे च शस्ता स्यात् सूर्यावर्ते विशेषतः ॥ (IMP vol 2)
Image: Dr. Niya Randeep
THERAPEUTIC INDICATIONS
Used for treating
Typhoid Fever
Fractures
Bleeding Gums And Toothaches
Tuberculosis
Migraine
Dyspepsia
Cough
Diarrhea
Arthralgia
Ulcers
Inflammation
Diabetes
Intestinal Worms
BENEFITS, USES IN INDIVIDUAL DISEASES
Traditional medicine is remembered, conserved and passed down by word of mouth generation after generations.
Preparation of Drynaria Soup for Knee Pain
D.quercifolia- rhizome soup is known for its remedial effects in rheumatic complaints. The rhizome grounded to paste and is used in, typhoid, diarrhea, fever, headache skin disease, fractures, and chronic jaundice. The rhizome paste with coconut oil is applied to the head for sleeping disorders. The rhizome used for mental disorders. The topical application used to stimulate hair growth and treat baldness. The fronds are used as a poultice on swellings. The leaves and rhizome for intestinal worms and abdominal pain.The peeled rhizome with sugar for urinary disorders and in spermatorrhoea. The stem juice intake daily for diabetes.
All these were traditionally practiced in various parts of the world.
Image: Dr. Niya Randeep
As per Hortus Malabaricus Vol 12,
- The useful part is the rhizome, and therapeutic qualities depend upon the tree it grows. The fern growing on a coconut tree is used to cure aphthous ulcers, on a Ficus tree is used in the treatment of Raktapitta, burning sensation, etc.
- A paste made of Drynaria, Sandalwood, and breast milk and applied behind the ears, gives the cure to the inflammation of eyes and epiphora.
DOSAGES
As directed by the physician
CLASSICAL PREPARATIONS CONTAINING THIS HERB
Reference: Chikitsa Manjari-
The topical application in swellings associated with RA (vata raktha). The formulation is boiled in milk, made into a paste and applied locally with a sufficient quantity of ghee.
Ellumnisha Malar Kadukka Thudinthapala
Nannari Nallamruth Sarasi Pookila Cha
Erandabeeja Chathakuppakalum Puzhungi
Palodu theykk Saghrutham ghanajanushobe
Chikitsamanjari Vatashonitha Chikitsa
DIET RESTRICTIONS AND PATHYA
No specific diet restrictions are required during intake of Drynaria quercifolia
SIDE EFFECTS
Drynaria species are considered to be safe. There are no known side effects reported.
RESEARCH PAPERS
Recently lots of researches are being conducted in D.quercifolia, some of them are:
- The bone-forming ability of D.quercifolia- as the extract of rhizome contains flavonoids and triterpenoid compounds having the ability to increase bone cell viability, intracellular total proteins, alkaline phosphatase, and acid phosphatase
- The anti-diabetic and hypolipidemic potential of D.quercifolia
3. antinociceptive(action/ process of blocking the detection of a painful stimulus by sensory neurons) property of D quercifolia
