Herb latin name: Zenmai,Zenmai Extract

Latin name: Osmunda japonica

Family: Osmundaceae

Habitat of the herb: the herb: Moist places all over Japan. Propagation of Zenmai: Spores - they very quickly lose their viability (within 3 days) and are best

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Habitat of the herb: the herb: Moist places all over Japan.
Propagation of Zenmai: Spores - they very quickly lose their viability (within 3 days) and are best sown as soon as they are ripe on the surface of a humus-rich sterilized soil in a lightly shaded place in a greenhouse. Keep the compost moist, preferably by putting a plastic bag over the pot. Plants develop very rapidly, pot on small clumps of plantlets as soon as they are large enough to handle and keep humid until they are well established. Do not plant outside until the ferns are at least 2 years old. Cultivars usually come true to type. Division of the rootstock in the dormant season. This is a very strenuous exercise due to the mass of wiry roots.
Cultivation of the herb: Moist places all over Japan.
Medicinal use of Zenmai: None known
Known hazards of Osmunda japonica: Although we have found no reports of toxicity for this species, a number of ferns contain carcinogens so some caution is advisable. Many ferns also contain thiaminase, an enzyme that robs the body of its vitamin B complex. In small quantities this enzyme will do no harm to people eating an adequate diet that is rich in vitamin B, though large quantities can cause severe health problems. The enzyme is destroyed by heat or thorough drying, so cooking the plant will remove the thiaminase.

Herb latin name: Zenmai,Zenmai Extract

Latin name: Osmunda japonica

Family: Osmundaceae

Habitat of the herb: the herb: Moist places all over Japan. Propagation of Zenmai: Spores - they very quickly lose their viability (within 3 days) and are best

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Habitat of the herb: the herb: Moist places all over Japan.
Propagation of Zenmai: Spores - they very quickly lose their viability (within 3 days) and are best sown as soon as they are ripe on the surface of a humus-rich sterilized soil in a lightly shaded place in a greenhouse. Keep the compost moist, preferably by putting a plastic bag over the pot. Plants develop very rapidly, pot on small clumps of plantlets as soon as they are large enough to handle and keep humid until they are well established. Do not plant outside until the ferns are at least 2 years old. Cultivars usually come true to type. Division of the rootstock in the dormant season. This is a very strenuous exercise due to the mass of wiry roots.
Cultivation of the herb: Moist places all over Japan.
Medicinal use of Zenmai: None known
Known hazards of Osmunda japonica: Although we have found no reports of toxicity for this species, a number of ferns contain carcinogens so some caution is advisable. Many ferns also contain thiaminase, an enzyme that robs the body of its vitamin B complex. In small quantities this enzyme will do no harm to people eating an adequate diet that is rich in vitamin B, though large quantities can cause severe health problems. The enzyme is destroyed by heat or thorough drying, so cooking the plant will remove the thiaminase.