Maidenhair Fern

At a glance

Origin / distribution: Mexico, Egypt, Iraq, US, US(Amerindian), Spain, Lesotho, India

Cultural traditions: not documented

Recorded uses: Alopecia, Asthma, Astringent, Bite(Spider)

Science studied: ADIANTONE, ADIANTOXIDE, ASTRAGALIN, 1-CAFFEYLGLUCOSE-3-SULFATE

Research volume: 0 indexed records · volume only · methodology ↗

Legal status: Varies by jurisdiction; not assessed in this record.

Names and identity

Family: Pteridaceae

Scientific name: Adiantum capillus-veneris

Common names: Maidenhair Fern, Adiante cheveux-de-Vénus, Capillaire, Fougère cheveux de Vénus, Adiante de Montpellier, Avenca, Baldırıkara, Black Maidenhair, Briger Gwener, Briger Gweno, Capelvenere, Capelvenere Comune, Capelvenere comune, Capilaria, Capiler, Capillaire cheveu-de-Vénus, Capillaire de Montpellier, Capillaire de Montpellier, Cheveux-de-Vénus, Capillaire cheveux-de-Vénus, Adiante cheveux-de-Vénus, Cheveu de Venus

POWO: 325030-2 · WCVP June 2026 / POWO backbone

History

The source record documents this plant in Mexico, Egypt, Iraq, US, US(Amerindian), Spain, Lesotho, India and 3 additional places.

It records these historical or traditional applications:

• Alopecia
• Asthma
• Astringent
• Bite(Spider)
• Breathing
• Catarrh
• Chest
• Chill

This summary is limited to the cited source record.

Origins and distribution

• Mexico
• Egypt
• Iraq
• US
• US(Amerindian)
• Spain
• Lesotho
• India
• "
• US(Appalachia)
• Hawaii

Documented cultural uses

• Alopecia
• Asthma
• Astringent
• Bite(Spider)
• Breathing
• Catarrh
• Chest
• Chill
• Cold
• Cough
• Demulcent
• Depurative

Cultural record detail

These entries are transcribed from the cited ethnobotanical source; they do not represent current advice or a claim of efficacy.

• Alopecia · Mexico · "
• Asthma · Egypt · "
• Astringent · Iraq · "
• Astringent · US · "
• Bite(Spider) · Egypt · "
• Breathing · US(Amerindian) · "
• Catarrh · Spain · "
• Catarrh · US · "
• Catarrh · Egypt · "
• Chest · Egypt · "
• Chest · Lesotho · "
• Chill · US(Amerindian) · "
• Cold · Iraq · "
• Cold · Lesotho · "
• Cough · Egypt · "
• Demulcent · US · "
• Demulcent · India · "
• Depurative · Mexico · "
• Diaphoretic · Egypt · "
• Diuretic · Iraq · "
• Diuretic · US · "
• Dropsy · Egypt · "
• Emmenagogue · Iraq · "
• Emmenagogue · US · "

35 additional documented entries remain in the source record.

Contemporary uses

Contemporary practice is not documented separately in this record.

Scientific research

Indexed records indicate research activity; they do not establish efficacy or safety.

Indexed research records

• Wound healing and photodynamic potential of <i>Adiantum capillus-veneris</i> L. (Pteridaceae): an evaluation of the cellular effects and molecular insights. · 2026 source ↗
• <i>Adiantum capillus-veneris:</i> A Comprehensive Review of Its Medicinal Properties, Bioactive Compounds, and Advanced Extraction Techniques. · 2025 source ↗
• Adiantum Capillus-Veneris Extract as a Sustainable Inhibitor to Mitigate Corrosion in Acid Solutions: Experimental, Machine-Learning Simulation, and Multiobjective Optimization. · 2024 source ↗

Scientific compounds

Chemical presence is not evidence of clinical efficacy.

• ADIANTONE
• ADIANTOXIDE
• ASTRAGALIN
• 1-CAFFEYLGLUCOSE-3-SULFATE
• 1-P-COUMARYLGLUCOSE-2-SULFATE
• 1-P-COUMARYLGLUCOSE-6-SULFATE
• 3-ALPHA,4-ALPHA-EPOXYFILICANE
• 7-FERNENE
• 21-HYDROXYADIANTONE
• 21-BETA-HYDROXY-29NOR-22-HOPANONE
• ISOQUERCETIN
• KAEMPFEROL-3,7-DIGLUCOSIDE
• MUCILAGE
• RUTIN
• SHIKIMIC-ACID
• QUINIC-ACID

Legality

No exact international trade listing was returned by the CITES checklist for this accepted name. Country-specific law is not assessed here.

Consult the CITES species checklist for current international and national requirements.

Reference images

Sources

Plants of the World Online (POWO) · Kew data terms; cite POWO/WCVP

World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP) · CC BY 3.0

CC0 · Dr. Duke raw CSV archive

Contributions and revisions

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