Ostrich fern
Scientific names: Matteuccia struthiopteris, Osmunda struthiopteris
Family: Dryopteridaceae
Alternate names: Fiddlehead Fern, Fougère d'Allemagne, Fougère Autruche, Fougère à l'Autruche, Fougère de l'Autruche, Fougère Plume d'Autruche, Garden Fern, Hardy Fern, Helecho de Pluma de Avestruz, Matteucie Fougère-à-l'Autruche, Ptérétide Noduleuse, Struthioptéride Germanique
Background
Ostrich fern is a plant. The young shoots of ostrich fern, known as fiddleheads, are used to make medicine.
Ostrich fern is used as a gargle for sore throat, as a laxative, and for wounds and boils on the skin, but there is no good evidence to support any use.
In foods, fiddleheads are regarded as a seasonal delicacy. They are available canned, frozen, or fresh. Fresh fiddleheads must be boiled at least 10 minutes before eating. Otherwise they can cause severe food poisoning.
Ostrich fern is used as a gargle for sore throat, as a laxative, and for wounds and boils on the skin, but there is no good evidence to support any use.
In foods, fiddleheads are regarded as a seasonal delicacy. They are available canned, frozen, or fresh. Fresh fiddleheads must be boiled at least 10 minutes before eating. Otherwise they can cause severe food poisoning.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Ostrich fern is LIKELY SAFE for most people when used as a food, as long as it is boiled for at least 10 minutes before eating.
Ostrich fern is LIKELY UNSAFE when the fern that has not been properly boiled is used as a food. It can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea, headaches, and severe food poisoning.
There isn't enough reliable information to know if boiled ostrich fern is safe to use as medicine or what the side effects might be.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if ostrich fern is safe to use or what the side effects might be.
Ostrich fern is LIKELY UNSAFE when the fern that has not been properly boiled is used as a food. It can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea, headaches, and severe food poisoning.
There isn't enough reliable information to know if boiled ostrich fern is safe to use as medicine or what the side effects might be.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if ostrich fern is safe to use or what the side effects might be.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if boiled ostrich fern is safe to use as medicine when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to usual food amounts.Effectiveness
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Insufficient evidence Effectiveness definitions
- Sore throat, when used as a gargle.
- Wounds, when applied to the skin.
- Boils, when applied to the skin.
- Other conditions.
Dosing & administration
The appropriate dose of ostrich fern depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for ostrich fern. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
It is not known if Ostrich Fern interacts with any medicines. Before taking Ostrich Fern, talk with your healthcare professional if you take any medications.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
Action
There isn't enough information to know how ostrich fern it might work.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 25/05/2022 18:42:13 and last updated on 21/07/2020 20:40:16. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
