What is Sweet Fern?

From the boreal forest, sweet fern, also called wandering comptonia, is a plant that was and still is used in medicine by several Indigenous communities in North America.

They use this plant primarily as a poultice to treat a variety of ailments. However, sweet fern is still used for most of the same purposes in modern herbalism.

How to use it?

The dried leaves of sweet fern (or Comptonia peregrina) are often used in infusions for their soothing and purifying properties.

Here are some ideas on how to use them:

1. Infusion :
   To enjoy the benefits of the dried leaves, you can prepare an infusion. Take about 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried leaves per cup of hot water. Let steep for 5 to 10 minutes, then strain. This infusion, mild and lightly scented, is ideal for soothing stomach aches, aiding digestion, or simply for relaxation.

2. Steam bath :
   You can also use them in steam inhalation for their purifying and calming properties. Heat water in a bowl, add a few sweet fern leaves, then inhale the steam for a few minutes to clear the airways.

3. Soothing compress :
   Prepare a decoction by boiling the leaves in water for about 15 minutes. Use this decoction as a compress to soothe skin inflammations or localized pain.
   
   

Learn more

A cold water infusion of the leaves has been used externally to counteract the effects of poison ivy. It is also used to wash bites, minor bleeding, etc. In the past, Indigenous peoples used sweet fern to treat flu-related symptoms and also attributed anti-inflammatory and stimulating properties to it.