Medicinal importance of Pteridophytic flora

Countrywide surveys by scientists of Bangladesh National Herbarium reveal the existence of about 180 species of Pteridophytic flora in Bangladesh. Of them, about 40 species are medicinally important. Some of the very important medicinal plants are Acrostichum aureum (a common mangrove, locally called tiger fern; the paste from its stems is used to heal wounds), Drynaria Quercifolia, (an epiphyte that grows all over Bangladesh and locally called Pankhiraj, its rhizom-paste mixed with oil cools the brain), Adiantum, (commonly called maiden hair ferns, locally called Bidda pata, belonging to the family Adiantaceae, including Adiantum (A) caudatum, A. caudatum var. flabellatum, A. capillus-veneris, A. capillus-veneris var. dissecta, A. capillus-veneris var. watti, A. flabellatum, A. peruvianum, A. philippense, A. tenerum, A. watti and A. zollengiri). Each of the species are important for their useful medicinal values and high demand for ornamental use.

Adiantum caudatum mostly grow on damp walls and shady places all over Bangladesh. The plant is a medium-sized herb. Its fronds are used as medicine. The juice from the fronds are used to cure diabetes, cough and cold, and fever. Frond paste is used for skin disease because it has antibacterial properties. Adiantum capillus-veneris generally grow in the crevices of moist, shady rocks in the hilly areas. The plant is a medium-sized herb. The entire plant is medicinally important. The decoction (extract obtained from boiling) of the fronds are used in bronchitis and fever, relieves cold and pain in the stomach. Fresh juice of the whole plant mixed with sugar and honey cures irregular menstruation in women. The rhizome paste is used for antibacterial purposes. It is also prescribed for relief from different respiratory problems. Adiantum philippense, also called Adiantum lunulatum, is very common and grows all over Bangladesh. It is found mostly on damp walls, shady old building walls, by canals and riverbanks. Fronds and rhizome are used in herbal medicine. Fresh juice of the fronds is used for the treatment of dysentery, ulcer and burning sensation. Rhizome paste is used for treatment of glandular swellings accompanied by fever. The decoction of the whole plant is also known to have antibacterial properties.

Estimates of the number of species of pteridophytes are in the range of 10-12,000 (Encyclopedia of ferns and fern-allies). Compared to angiosperms, however, they are much less used both in food and traditional medicine, modern medicine and also in academic studies.

Besides these known ferns and fern-allies, there are many unknown and little-known ferns and fern-allies in Bangladesh. More species await discovery and description by modern Pteridologist in the country. Hence, more attention should be given to this field, so that "our unknown pteridophytic flora become known in our search for medicinal plants and biodiversity."

Momtaz Mahal Mirza is a senior scientific officer of Bangladesh National Herbarium.