Chinese herbal medicine Zhuzongcao, also known as Iron Wire Fern, Pig Hair Seven, and Iron Wire Grass, is the whole plant of the fern family plant Iron Wire Fern or White-backed Iron Wire Fern. It has the effects of clearing heat and detoxification, diuresis and relieving stranguria. It can be used to treat dysentery, scrofula, lung heat cough, hepatitis, urinary tract infection, snake bites, and bruises. Today, let traditional Chinese medicine guide you to understand Zhuzongcao with a professional perspective!
Zhuzongcao grows 10-20cm long, with numerous slender fibrous roots on the lower part of the rhizome, and brown lanceolate scales on the upper part. The petiole is slender and shiny chestnut, resembling iron wire, and the top of the leaf axis has adventitious roots.
The pinnule is membranous, fan-shaped, gray-green, with joints connected to the petiole at the base, and 2-5 shallow lobes on the outer edge. The top of the lobes bears sporangia, which are entire and have wavy blunt teeth on the edge of the infertile portion. The veins of the leaf are fan-shaped with bifurcation, and the minor veins reach the leaf margin.
There are 8-13 pairs of pinnules that are alternate, stalked, with the largest pair near the base. The bipinnate leaflets have small stalks, and the terminal smaller leaflets are about 3-3.5mm wide, mostly fan-shaped, with a wedge-shaped base and a small stalk. The upper edge of Zhuzongcao often has irregular deep lobes, with blunt tips, and the infertile lobes also have small teeth. The leaves are thin and grassy, pale green, smooth on both sides, and the veins are obvious.
The sporangia are round to oblong, slightly curved, stalkless, and the spores are tiny and pale yellow. It has a faint odor and a slightly bitter taste. The best quality is dry texture, more leaves, and grayish-green color.
In terms of medicinal value, Zhuzongcao can clear heat and detoxify, and promote diuresis and reduce swelling. It is used for dysentery, scrofula, lung heat cough, hepatitis, urinary tract infection, snake bites, and bruises.
Pharmacological studies have shown that Iron Wire Fern has anti-tumor, anti-cardiovascular disease, anti-inflammatory and analgesic, immune-regulating, blood sugar-lowering, antioxidant, and anti-aging effects.
Zhuzongcao has a bitter and cool taste, and its efficacy is to clear heat and transform phlegm, promote diuresis and reduce swelling, and also dispel wind and remove obstruction. Therefore, it can be used for lung heat cough, hemoptysis, joint pain, cloudy urine, and various skin conditions.
In terms of horticultural value, Zhuzongcao prefers shade, has strong adaptability, and is easy to cultivate. It is suitable for indoor year-round potted plants for ornamental purposes.
Small potted plants can be placed on desks and coffee tables; larger potted plants can be used to decorate windowsills, corridors, or living rooms in shady rooms. The leaves of the Iron Wire Fern are also good materials for cut leaves and dried flower arrangements.
