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Polipodium, Polypody
Bisfayaj (Unani)
Shui Long Gu, Duo Zu Jue Shu [lit. ‘Multi-Foot fern’=Polypodium] (TCM)
Shui Long Gu, Duo Zu Jue Shu [lit. ‘Multi-Foot fern’=Polypodium] (TCM)
Gart der Gesundheit, Cuba, 1485
Herbarius latinus, Petri, 1485
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Ortus Sanitatis, Meydenbach, 1491
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Kurtzes Handtbuchlein, Ryff, 1599
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Official Polypody A second species used
Della Materia Medicinale Andrea Valuassori, 1562
Della Materia Medicinale Andrea Valuassori, 1562
Flora von Deutschland, Kohler, 1886
Polypody root
Notes on Pharmacognosy, Otto Augustus Wall, 1902
Notes on Pharmacognosy, Otto Augustus Wall, 1902
Polypody root
(Calcutta Unani College, Adam, 2019)
(Calcutta Unani College, Adam, 2019)
Botanical name:
Polypodium vulgare (TCM, West)
P. virginianum is also used in TCM.
A number of other species have reportedly been used similarly including P. decumanum, P. aureum, P. triseriale, P. lowery, P. loriceum.
Parts used:
Root; that growing on the Oak was regarded as best
"The best is that which is as thick as an index finger, somewhat green or yellow, compact, fresh, with a little Bitterness but Sweet (at the sametime) and Acrid, tasting somewhat like a Clove". (Avicenna)
Temperature & Taste:
Mildly Warm, very dry. Bitter, Sweet, Pungent
"It is Hot in the Second and Dry in the Third degree ... It is Sweet". (Avicenna)
Some sources claim it is Cold.
Classifications:
2A APERIENT. 2G. CLEANSING. 2H. CARMINATIVE
3K. EXPECTORANT
4f. SPLENETIC
Polypodium vulgare (TCM, West)
P. virginianum is also used in TCM.
A number of other species have reportedly been used similarly including P. decumanum, P. aureum, P. triseriale, P. lowery, P. loriceum.
Parts used:
Root; that growing on the Oak was regarded as best
"The best is that which is as thick as an index finger, somewhat green or yellow, compact, fresh, with a little Bitterness but Sweet (at the sametime) and Acrid, tasting somewhat like a Clove". (Avicenna)
Temperature & Taste:
Mildly Warm, very dry. Bitter, Sweet, Pungent
"It is Hot in the Second and Dry in the Third degree ... It is Sweet". (Avicenna)
Some sources claim it is Cold.
Classifications:
2A APERIENT. 2G. CLEANSING. 2H. CARMINATIVE
3K. EXPECTORANT
4f. SPLENETIC
Uses:
1. Clears Wind-Damp, Purges Melancholy:
-‘a gallant though gentle purger of Melancholy’ (Culpeper)
-opens obstructions of the Liver and Spleen; Hypochondriac Melancholy; Swelling of the Liver or Spleen.
-stubborn skin diseases, Fibroid Tumors, Cancer, Leprosy;
-mental disturbances, Madness, Schizophrenia, Depression, Nightmares;
-Dementia, Parkinsonism
-Hemorrhoids.
-keeps the Hair colored, prevents grey hairs.
-Exhilarant and Cardiac tonic.
-"It removes flatulence [Wind] and Moistness". (Avicenna)
2. Clears Damp and Heat, Promotes Urine:
-burning urine, Strangury, Gonorrhea (TCM, West)
-Jaundice, Hepatitis
-Diarrhea and Dysentery. (TCM, West)
3. Clears Phlegm, Stops Cough and Wheezing:
-Cough and Asthma with tough, hard-to-clear Phlegm.
-Difficulty Breathing (powdered root)
-Tuberculosis (TCM, West)
4. Clears Heat and Poison:
-Boils, Carbuncles, Toxic sores, Urticaria, Rubella, and for Febrile Convulsions in Children. (TCM)
5. Moves the Blood, Clears Stasis:
-Trauma and Bruising (TCM)
6. Clears Damp, Benefits the Bones and Joints:
-Mesue used it for superfluous humors, including Rheumatic swellings of the hands, feet, knees, and joints;
-Joint diseases including Arthritis and Rheumatism (Unani)
-Joint disease, Lumbago; promotes healing of Bones (TCM)
-Rickets (West)
7. Kills Worms. (Powdered herb)
8. Externally:
-‘very good for chaps between the fingers’. (Dioscorides)
-applied topically for Nasal Polyps (topically with Honey); or the powder is used as a Snuff (Pliny)
-The root beaten and applied, helps Sprains and Dislocations; Dioscorides used it for Sprains.
-bruised with Vinegar and applied to the Spleen and other places to relieve inflammation.
-topically to sores, boils, hives and toxic sores.
-beaten applied topically to Bruises, Inflammations and Swellings (TCM)
-Felon: beat the fresh root with alcohol, mix, and apply. (TCM)
-old TCM texts recommend the root topically for Ulcers
Comment:
The Polypodium species are fairly similar in appearance and activity. In both the West and TCM; various species have supplied the market. While it is not a regularly used herb in TCM, it is a very important medicine for Melancholy in the Western Tradition.
Dose:
1. Dioscorides said it was common to boil it with Chicken or Beef; Avicenna said boil with Chicken or Fish Soup.
2. Best taken with a liquid like Hydromel (Avicenna)
Decoction: 5–15 grams
Powder: 2–6 grams
Correctives:
1. Corrected with Licorice or Mastic
2. Fennel, Caraway, Aniseed, Clove, Ginger and Cinnamon correct it, and quicken its activity.
3. Unani considers Chebulic Myrobalan and Damask Rose as the best Correctives.
Substitutes:
1. Dodder herb (Avicenna)
2. Indian Salt in half its quantity (Avicenna)
3. Hiera Picra (or Aloe)
The Polypodium species are fairly similar in appearance and activity. In both the West and TCM; various species have supplied the market. While it is not a regularly used herb in TCM, it is a very important medicine for Melancholy in the Western Tradition.
Dose:
1. Dioscorides said it was common to boil it with Chicken or Beef; Avicenna said boil with Chicken or Fish Soup.
2. Best taken with a liquid like Hydromel (Avicenna)
Decoction: 5–15 grams
Powder: 2–6 grams
Correctives:
1. Corrected with Licorice or Mastic
2. Fennel, Caraway, Aniseed, Clove, Ginger and Cinnamon correct it, and quicken its activity.
3. Unani considers Chebulic Myrobalan and Damask Rose as the best Correctives.
Substitutes:
1. Dodder herb (Avicenna)
2. Indian Salt in half its quantity (Avicenna)
3. Hiera Picra (or Aloe)
Main Combinations:
1. To purge all Humors:
i. Polypody with Senna, Dodder, Caper root-bark, Agaric, Hart's Tongue, Balm, Betony, Aniseed (as in Syrup to Purge all Humors of Frankfurt)
ii. Polypody with Fennel seed, Aniseed, Senna, Rhubarb, Licorice, Cold seeds (as in Catholicum)
2. To Purge Melancholy Humor:
i. Polypody with Senna, Ginger, Raisin, Prune, Borage, Violet, Rose, Rosemary (as in Decoction of Senna)
3. Purge Melancholy and Phlegm/Damp:
i. Asthma, Leprosy, Epilepsy, Melancholy, Arthritic, Rheumatic complaints, Polypody with Fumitory and Triphala (Unani)
ii. Polypody with Elecampane. (Pomet)
iii. Fibroid Tumors, Cancer, Polypody with Black Myrobalan, Senna, Turbith, Dodder (as in Decoction of Dodder of Thyme)
4. To resolve Wind and Damp, Polypody, Aniseed, Fennel seed, Cumin (Herbarius latinus, Petri, 1485)
5. To Purge Phlegm Humor from the Chest:
i. prepare a decoction of Polypody and infuse Agaric in the strained decoction (Herbarium Horstianum, 1630)
ii. Polypody with Agaric, Turbith, Aniseed
6. 'Evil color of the Face' and Phthisis, take 3–4 ounces of distilled water of Polypody every morning (The Secrets of Alexis, 1615)
7. Couch, Bronchitis, Polypody root, Aniseed, Licorice
8. Spitting Blood, Polypody decocted in Goat milk whey (Herbarium Horstianum, 1630)
9. Obstruction of the Organs from Damp and Phlegm, Polypody, Senna, Galangal, Ginger (Herbarium Horstianum, 1630)
10. Spleen obstruction, Jaundice and Edema, Polypody with Cream of Tartar.
11. Hardness of the Spleen, Polypody with Mallow
12. Cleanse the Blood, Polypody with Fumitory, Thyme, Chicory, Agrimony
13. Chronic Skin diseases, Eczema, Psoriasis, Polypody with Dodder, Oregano, Pennyroyal, Black Myrobalan, Yellow Myrobalan, Rhubarb (as in Electuary of Dodder and Fumitory)
14. Edema, and for obstructions:
i. Polypody, Dodder, Agaric, Celery seed, Fennel seed
ii. Polypody, Dodder, Pepper, Amomum, Clove, Cinnamon, Spikenard, Parsley seed, Aniseed
iii. Polypody, Rhubarb, Sagapen, Tithymalus (Spurge), Spikenard, Aloes (Syrian 'Book of Medicine', Budge, 1913)
15. Arthritis, Rheumatism:
i. Polypody is taken in Chicken Soup (Unani)
ii. Polypody, Fennel seed, Colchicum (Herbarius latinus, Petri, 1485)
iii. Polypody with Guaiacum, Sarsaparilla, Cinnamon (as in Decoction of Guaiacum and Sarsaparilla)
Major Formulas:
Decoction of Dodder of Thyme (Rhasis)
Decoction of Dodder of Thyme (Mesue)
Decoction of Senna
Decoction of Guaiacum and Sarsaparilla
Syrup to Purge all Humors of Frankfurt
Syrup of Fumitory Greater
Syrup of Dodder of Thyme (Mesue)
Syrup of Horehound (Fernelius)
Syrup of Betony (Pharmacopoeia Augustana)
Wine for Scrophula (Renodeus)
Powder of Polypody (Montagnana)
Powder for Epilepsy (Unani)
Powder Against Rabies
Hiera Logadii
Arabian Confect Purging Melancholy (Confectio Hamech) (Mesue)
Catholicum (Diacatholicum) (Nicholas)
Bishops Electuary (Electuarium Elescop) (Mesue)
Electuary of Dodder (Unani)
Electuary of Dodder and Fumitory (Mesue)
Electuary for Head and Stomach Pain (Galen)
Electuary for Melancholy and Fear (Filius Zacharia)
Triphala Electuary of Dodder (Unani)
Indian Pills (Mesue)
Pills for Melancholy (Unani)
Pills of Lapis Lazuli-1 (Mesue)
Greater Polycrest Pills
Pills to Crumble Kidney Stones (Unani)
Cautions:
‘It works very safely’ (Culpeper)
1. Unani texts consider it harmful for the Lungs and Kidneys (ie. damages the Yin).
2. As it is very drying it is not suitable in Yin deficiency.
Main Preparations used:
‘It works very safely’ (Culpeper)
1. Unani texts consider it harmful for the Lungs and Kidneys (ie. damages the Yin).
2. As it is very drying it is not suitable in Yin deficiency.
Main Preparations used:
Click the Tabs above for more information on this Medicine
GENERAL / REVIEW
–Polypodium vulgare L. (Polypodiaceae) as a Source of Bioactive Compounds: Polyphenolic Profile, Cytotoxicity and Cytoprotective Properties in Different Cell Lines
–Polypodium vulgare Linn. a versatile herbal medicine: A review
–ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL STUDIES OF Polypodium vulgare Linn.: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
–Bisfayej (Polypodium vulgare L.): A review on medicinal importance of rhizome with Unani prospective and modern pharmacology
–A review on phytopharmacological properties of Bisfaij
ANTI-BACTERIAL
–Polypodium vulgare Linn. a versatile herbal medicine: A review
–Differing antibacterial and antibiofilm properties of Polypodium vulgare L. Rhizome aqueous extract and one of its purified active ingredients–osladin
–Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of methanolic extract of Polypodium vulgare L
ANTI-VIRAL
–Polypodium vulgare Linn. a versatile herbal medicine: A review
ANTIOXIDANT
–Evaluation of anti-tyrosinase and antioxidant properties of four fern species for potential cosmetic applications
–Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of methanolic extract of Polypodium vulgare L
ANTI PYRETIC
–Polypodium vulgare Linn. a versatile herbal medicine: A review
ANALGESIC
–Polypodium vulgare Linn. a versatile herbal medicine: A review
HYPOTENSIVE:
–Polypodium vulgare Linn. a versatile herbal medicine: A review
ANTI-ATHEROSCLEROTIC
–Polypodium Vulgare L.: A valuable cardioactive medicinal plant.
ANT-ARRHYTHMIC
–Polypodium Vulgare L.: A valuable cardioactive medicinal plant.
EPILEPSY
–Polypodium vulgare Linn. a versatile herbal medicine: A review
ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE
–Regulating factors for microglial activation: implication for Alzheimer's disease and brain damage
ANTI-TYROSINASE
–Evaluation of anti-tyrosinase and antioxidant properties of four fern species for potential cosmetic applications
WOUNDS
–An Alternative Approach Wound Healing Field with Polypodium Vulgare
–Polypodium vulgare L. (Polypodiaceae) as a Source of Bioactive Compounds: Polyphenolic Profile, Cytotoxicity and Cytoprotective Properties in Different Cell Lines
–Polypodium vulgare Linn. a versatile herbal medicine: A review
–ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL STUDIES OF Polypodium vulgare Linn.: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
–Bisfayej (Polypodium vulgare L.): A review on medicinal importance of rhizome with Unani prospective and modern pharmacology
–A review on phytopharmacological properties of Bisfaij
ANTI-BACTERIAL
–Polypodium vulgare Linn. a versatile herbal medicine: A review
–Differing antibacterial and antibiofilm properties of Polypodium vulgare L. Rhizome aqueous extract and one of its purified active ingredients–osladin
–Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of methanolic extract of Polypodium vulgare L
ANTI-VIRAL
–Polypodium vulgare Linn. a versatile herbal medicine: A review
ANTIOXIDANT
–Evaluation of anti-tyrosinase and antioxidant properties of four fern species for potential cosmetic applications
–Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of methanolic extract of Polypodium vulgare L
ANTI PYRETIC
–Polypodium vulgare Linn. a versatile herbal medicine: A review
ANALGESIC
–Polypodium vulgare Linn. a versatile herbal medicine: A review
HYPOTENSIVE:
–Polypodium vulgare Linn. a versatile herbal medicine: A review
ANTI-ATHEROSCLEROTIC
–Polypodium Vulgare L.: A valuable cardioactive medicinal plant.
ANT-ARRHYTHMIC
–Polypodium Vulgare L.: A valuable cardioactive medicinal plant.
EPILEPSY
–Polypodium vulgare Linn. a versatile herbal medicine: A review
ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE
–Regulating factors for microglial activation: implication for Alzheimer's disease and brain damage
ANTI-TYROSINASE
–Evaluation of anti-tyrosinase and antioxidant properties of four fern species for potential cosmetic applications
WOUNDS
–An Alternative Approach Wound Healing Field with Polypodium Vulgare