Witnessed by: TCM
Pyrrosia (Pyrrosia lingua), of the Polypodiaceae family. Epiphytic fern of rocks and tree trunks; native range: rocks and old trees of southern and eastern China. Globally recognized as shi wei (石韦) in Chinese, and tongue fern, felt fern in English. The part used is frond (leaf). Strap-shaped leathery frond, rusty-felted beneath, bland to slightly bitter.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
PYRROSIA
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- pyrrosia
- Scientific name
- Pyrrosia lingua (Thunb.) Farw.
- Family
- Polypodiaceae
Form
- Part used
- frond (leaf)
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- TCM
- sweet · bitter
Temperature
- TCM
- cool
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- TCM
- Lung · Bladder
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- TCM
- promotes urination, unblocks painful urinary dribbling, clears Lung heat, stops bleeding, and stops cough
Cautions
- Contraindications
- avoid in painful urination from yin deficiency without damp-heat
- Toxicity
- none of note at customary dose
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