Common medicinal ferns of India

Ferns are not as important economically and medicinally as seed plants, but are considered important in some areas of India. Ferns are equally important as seed plants because of the compounds that is extracted from them is used to cure many aliments. They are flowerless plants with leafy fronds and reproduce by spores which are released from the underside of the fronds. Ferns have vascular system for the transportation of water and nutrients. Ecologically, the ferns are found mostly in shaded damp areas near the fringes of perennial streams, near river side and they also grow on the rocks. They are used to cure many diseases like stomach ache, sleeping disorder, dysentery, cough etc. The present study highlights the medicinal ferns reported throughout India. It is a compilation of medicinal values of some common ferns of India.