What are the effects and uses of the centipede fern?

The centipede fern, also known as Baiyejian, centipede brake fern, and small cyrtomium, is the whole plant or rhizome of Pteris vittata, a plant in the genus Pteris of the family Pteridaceae. As a medicine, it has the effects of dispelling wind and removing dampness, relaxing sinews and activating collaterals, and detoxifying and killing parasites. It has therapeutic effects on rheumatic muscle and bone pain, low back pain, limb numbness with difficult flexion and extension, hemiplegia, traumatic injuries, colds, dysentery, acute mastitis, sore toxins, scabies, ascariasis, and snake and insect bites. Now let us take a look at the effects and uses of the centipede fern!

Medicinal effects of the centipede fern

[Nature and flavor] Bland and bitter in flavor, cool in nature.

[Meridian entry] Liver, large intestine, and bladder meridians.

[Effects] Dispels wind and removes dampness, relaxes sinews and activates collaterals, detoxifies and kills parasites. It mainly treats rheumatic muscle and bone pain, low back pain, limb numbness with difficult flexion and extension, hemiplegia, traumatic injuries, colds, dysentery, acute mastitis, sore toxins, scabies, ascariasis, and snake and insect bites.

Related discussions on the centipede fern

1. "Dian Nan Ben Cao": Treats all traumatic injuries, muscle and bone pain, limb numbness, and rheumatic flaccidity and weakness; taken steeped in wine. Its effect is miraculous. Topical application for injuries is also acceptable.

2. "Dian Nan Ben Cao Tu Shuo": Mainly treats muscle and bone pain, left paralysis and right flaccidity. For half-body paralysis and hemiplegic numbness, use wine as a guiding agent.

3. "Guizhou Folk Medicines": Treats scabies.

Medicinal selected formulas of the centipede fern

1. To treat rheumatic numbness: centipede fern 15 grams, Xiaoxueteng 9 grams, Zhuifengsan (Yibasan) 9 grams; steep in wine and take.

2. To treat traumatic injuries: centipede fern and sour grass in appropriate amounts. Pound and apply to the affected area.

3. To treat boils and sores: centipede fern 30 grams, wild chrysanthemum 15 grams, garlic stalks 15 grams. Decoct in water for external washing.

4. To treat unnamed swelling and toxins: centipede fern 15 grams, Huatoucai 15 grams, dandelion 15 grams, Tufuling 9 grams. Decoct in water and take.

5. To treat dysentery: centipede fern 30-60 grams. Decoct and take.

6. To treat urinary tract infection: centipede brake fern 15 grams. Shiwei 15 grams. Decoct and take.

7. To treat influenza: centipede fern 9 grams, Banlangen 15 grams, Shegan 6 grams. Decoct and take.

8. To treat scabies: centipede fern 60 grams, Yisaoguang 120 grams, garlic stalks (dried) 120 grams. Decoct in water and wash, 3 times daily. Also take disinfecting medicines internally: Tufuling, Baixianpi, and dandelion 30 grams each, Bazhaojinlong 12 grams. Decoct in water and take, 3 times daily.

9. To treat ascariasis: centipede fern rhizome 6-12 grams. Decoct in water and take.