Hamsapadi — Walking Maidenhair Fern

Ayurvedic herb Hamsapadi (Adiantum lunulatum) — Walking Maidenhair Fern. Pharmacological properties: Rasa Tikta, Kashaya, Virya Sheeta, Vipaka Katu. Balances Pitta, Kapha.

Ayurvedic Herbs A–Z 1 min read
This content is for informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional.

A lesser-known but potent herb used for blood purification and as a tonic for the nervous system.

ⓘ Information
PropertyValueDescription
RasaTikta, KashayaTikta (Bitter) — detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic; Kashaya (Astringent) — drying, absorbent, wound-healing
GunaLaghu, RukshaLaghu (Light) — easy to digest, promotes lightness; Ruksha (Dry) — absorbs moisture, drying
ViryaSheetaSheeta (Cold) — cooling, decreases Pitta and inflammation
VipakaKatuKatu (Pungent) — post-digestive pungent, lightening
PrabhavaRaktashodhak, MedhyaRaktashodhak — blood purifier; Medhya — intellect-promoting, enhances cognition

Sanskrit Synonyms

In the classical Ayurvedic texts, Hamsapadi is known by the following Sanskrit names:

Godhapadi, Tripadika, Raktapadi, Kita

Parts Used

The medicinal parts of Hamsapadi are: panchanga.

Main Indications

Hamsapadi is indicated in Ayurveda for the following conditions:

Vrana, Visarpa, Raktapitta, Apasmara, Luta Visha.

Dosha Effects

Hamsapadi pacifies Pitta, Kapha.

It may aggravate Vata when used in excess or in sensitive individuals.

Usage

Hamsapadi is used in classical Ayurvedic formulations. Consult a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner for appropriate dosage and preparation based on your constitution (Prakriti) and current imbalance (Vikriti).

Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API)

Source: Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India — Government of India, Ministry of AYUSH

Rasa (Taste)Kaṣ¡ya, Tikta
Guna (Quality)Guru
Virya (Potency)śita
Vipaka (Post-digestive effect)Kauu
Karma (Action)Raktavik¡rahrt, Viṣaghna
Dose1-3 g
Therapeutic Uses: Visarpa, Vraḍa, D¡ha, Atis¡ra, Lut¡ Viṣa, Bhūta Graha, Kakṣa
Important Formulations: Madhuyaṣuy¡di Taila, M¡nasa Mitra Vauaka, Mukt¡
Botanical Name: Adiantum lunulatum Burm. (Polypodiaceae)
Part Used: W.P.

Therapeutic Uses (IMPPAT Database)

Source: Indian Medicinal Plants, Phytochemistry And Therapeutics (IMPPAT) v1.0 — CC BY 4.0

Part UsedTherapeutic UseIdentifiersReferences
fruitErysipelasMESH:D004886,UMLS:C0014733, DOID:11330, ICD-11:1B70.0ISBN:9788171360536
fruitLeprosyMESH:D007918,UMLS:C0023343, DOID:1024, ICD-11:1B20ISBN:9788171360536
leafAntifungal agentsMESH:D000935,UMLS:C0003308, ICD-11:XM83G4ISBN:9770972795006
leafAnti-inflammatory agentsMESH:D000893,UMLS:C0003209, ICD-11:XM7XD1ISBN:9770972795006
leafErysipelasMESH:D004886,UMLS:C0014733, DOID:11330, ICD-11:1B70.0ISBN:9788171360536
leafLeprosyMESH:D007918,UMLS:C0023343, DOID:1024, ICD-11:1B20ISBN:9788171360536
leafTineaMESH:D014005,UMLS:C0040247, ICD-11:1F28.ZISBN:9788172362089
rhizomeElephantiasisMESH:D004604,UMLS:C0013882, DOID:4976, ICD-11:1F66.3ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788171360536
rhizomeFeverMESH:D005334,UMLS:C0015967, ICD-11:MG26ISBN:9770972795006
rhizomePharyngitisMESH:D010612,UMLS:C0031350, DOID:2275, ICD-11:CA02.ZISBN:9770972795006
rootAntipyreticsMESH:D058633,UMLS:C0003419, ICD-11:XM1RS7ISBN:9770972795006
rootFeverMESH:D005334,UMLS:C0015967, ICD-11:MG26ISBN:9788172360481
rootSterilization, reproductiveMESH:D013245,UMLS:C0038288ISBN:9770972795006
Acne vulgarisMESH:D000152,UMLS:C0702166, DOID:6543, ICD-11:ED80.ZISBN:9770972795006
AntipyreticsMESH:D058633,UMLS:C0003419, ICD-11:XM1RS7ISBN:9788172363130
AtrophyMESH:D001284,UMLS:C0037154ISBN:9788172360481
Bites and stingsMESH:D001733,UMLS:C0005659ISBN:9770972795006
DiarrheaMESH:D003967,UMLS:C0011991, DOID:13250, ICD-11:ME05.1ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172360481
DysenteryMESH:D004403,UMLS:C0277526, DOID:12384, ICD-11:1A40.ZISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172360481, ISBN:9788172363130
EczemaMESH:D004485,UMLS:C0013595ISBN:9770972795006
EmaciationMESH:D004614,UMLS:C0013911, ICD-11:5B51ISBN:9788172360481
ErysipelasMESH:D004886,UMLS:C0014733, DOID:11330, ICD-11:1B70.0ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172363130
FeverMESH:D005334,UMLS:C0015967, ICD-11:MG26ISBN:9788172360481, ISBN:9788172361266
FlatulenceMESH:D005414,UMLS:C0016204, ICD-11:ME08ISBN:9770972795006
GonorrheaMESH:D006069,UMLS:C0018081, DOID:7551, ICD-11:1A7ZISBN:9770972795006
Hematologic diseasesMESH:D006402,UMLS:C0018939, DOID:74, ICD-11:3C0ZISBN:9770972795006
HypotensionMESH:D007022,UMLS:C0020649, ICD-11:BA2ZISBN:9770972795006
PainMESH:D010146,UMLS:C0030193, ICD-11:MG3ZISBN:9770972795006
Anti-poisoningMESH:D011041, ICD-11:NE6ZISBN:9770972795006
RabiesMESH:D011818,UMLS:C0034494, DOID:11260, ICD-11:1C82ISBN:9788172360481
Skin diseasesMESH:D012871,UMLS:C0037274, DOID:37, ICD-11:EM0ZISBN:9770972795006
Spider bitesMESH:D001098,UMLS:C0242188, ICD-11:NE61ISBN:9770972795006
Sprains and strainsMESH:D013180,UMLS:C0038048ISBN:9788172360481
UlcerMESH:D014456,UMLS:C0041582ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172360481
Wounds and injuriesMESH:D014947,UMLS:C0043251ISBN:9770972795006