Dried Maidenhair Fern

 

GENERAL DATA

Plant parts: Leaves
Cultivation mode: Wild collection
In manufacturing: Pharmaceutical, hair care, skin care, shampoo, oil, extract.
In food: Tea.

 

🍃 Industries That Use Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum capillus-veneris L.)

Adiantum capillus-veneris L., commonly known as Maidenhair Fern, is a delicate, fan-leaved fern species with a long history in traditional herbal medicine. It is native to temperate and tropical regions across the Middle East, Mediterranean, Asia, and the Americas. Known in Persian as “Par-e Siavashan” (پَرسیاوَشان), it is especially valued for respiratory, digestive, and cosmetic applications.

🌿 What Is Maidenhair Fern?

The fronds (leaves) of Adiantum capillus-veneris contain flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, and phenolic acids that contribute to its soothing, expectorant, and anti-inflammatory properties.

It is traditionally used as an herbal infusion, syrup, or decoction, often in respiratory and haircare formulations.

1. Pharmaceutical & Herbal Medicine Industry

Maidenhair Fern is mainly used in phytotherapy and herbal medicine for respiratory and gastrointestinal health.

Medical Applications:

• Soothing cough syrup ingredient for bronchitis and sore throat

• Herbal teas for clearing chest congestion and dry cough

• Mild diuretic and digestive tonic

• Used in polyherbal formulas for asthma and hoarseness

✅ Recognized in Persian, Unani, and Western herbal traditions
✅ Suitable for children, elderly, and sensitive patients

2. Nutraceutical & Wellness Supplement Industry

Its mild expectorant, anti-inflammatory, and detoxifying properties make it suitable for gentle respiratory support and digestive wellness products.

Applications:

• Botanical ingredient in lung-cleansing teas

• Tonic for vocal health (used by singers and public speakers)

• Blended in liver support and metabolic balance formulations

• Capsules or tinctures for seasonal immune support

✅ Popular in natural wellness and preventive health sectors
✅ Often combined with licorice root, thyme, and violet leaf

3. Cosmetic & Personal Care Industry

In traditional and natural beauty formulations, Maidenhair Fern is used to nourish hair, promote scalp health, and enhance skin clarity.

Applications:

• Hair rinses and masks for reducing hair loss and promoting growth

• Herbal shampoos for soothing itchy scalp or dandruff

• Used in facial tonics for sensitive or dry skin

• Added to traditional hammam products and botanical beauty oils

✅ Non-irritating and moisturizing for hair and skin
✅ Historically used in herbal “capillaires” (hair-care tonics)

4. Ethnic & Traditional Medicine

Maidenhair Fern holds cultural significance across Persian, Mediterranean, and South Asian systems of medicine.

Applications:

• Herbal infusions (like Persian Damnoosh) during cold season

• Used in home remedies for mild coughs and voice fatigue

• Applied externally in poultices for skin inflammation or sores

• Considered a “cooling” plant in traditional humoral medicine

✅ Popular in Persian apothecaries (Attari) and folk remedies
✅ Trusted by herbalists for respiratory and vocal health

5. Academic & Botanical Research

Research on Adiantum capillus-veneris explores its bioactive compounds, antioxidant capacity, and anti-inflammatory effects.

Focus Areas:

• Isolation of flavonoids and triterpenoids

• Antitussive and bronchodilator effects

• Protective properties for liver and lungs

• Botanical studies on its phytochemistry and sustainable cultivation

✅ Studied in ethnobotany, herbal pharmacology, and phytotherapy research

✅ Summary of Key Applications

Industry	Common Uses
Pharmaceutical & Herbal	Expectorant syrups, cough remedies, teas for asthma
Nutraceutical & Wellness	Respiratory tonics, digestion aid, seasonal support blends
Cosmetic & Personal Care	Hair growth tonics, scalp rinses, facial toners
Ethnic & Traditional Use	Herbal infusions (damnoosh), poultices, voice tonics
Academic & Botanical Study	Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory phytochemical research

🌟 Key Features

• Rich in flavonoids, tannins, and mucilaginous compounds

• Known for respiratory relief, hair care, and vocal support

• Used in cough syrups, herbal teas, and natural cosmetics

• Culturally important in Persian, Ayurvedic, and Mediterranean herbalism

• Gentle, non-toxic, and safe for long-term traditional use

 

PRODUCT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES

Persian Name: پرسیاوشان/ Par-e-Siavashan
German Name (Deutschland, Austria, Switzerland): Frauenhaarfarn, Venushaar
French Name (France, Belgium, Switzerland, Quebec): Capillaire, Capillaire de Montpellier, Capillaire de Vénus, Cheveux de Vénus

 

HARVEST CALENDAR

 

Adiantum capillus-veneris Chemical Constituents

Chemical analysis of Adiantum capillus-veneri showed that it contained flavonoids, triterpenoids, aoleananes, phenylpropanoids, carbohydrates, carotenoids, and alicyclics. Many triterpenoids: 21-hydroxy adiantone, triterpenoid epoxide (adiantoxide), Fern-9(11)-en-12-one, isoadiantone, isoglaucanone, hdoxyhopane, isoadiantol, hydroxyadiantone, olean-12-en-3-one, olean-18-en-3-one, fern-9(11)-ene, ferna-7, 9(11)-diene, 7-fernene, hop- 22(29)-ene, filic-3-ene , neohop-12-ene , pteron-14-en-7a-ol, fern-9(11)-en- 3a-ol, fern-7-en-3a-ol, adian-5(10)-en-3a-ol, adian-5-en-3a-ol, fern-9(11)-en-28-O, fern-9(11)-en-12- beta-ol and 4-α-hydroxyfilican-3-one were isolated from the leaves of Adiantum capillus-veneris.

Four sulphate esters of hydroxycinnamic acid-sugar derivatives were isolated from the fronds of Adiantum capillus-veneris. L. These compounds have been shown to be 1-p-coumarylglucose 6-sulphate, 1-p-coumarylglucose 2- sulphate, 1-caffeylgalactose 3-sulphate, and 1- caffeylgalactose 6-sulphate.