Akkarghoda / अक्करघोडा / Lady Fern / Athyrium hohenackerianum

The tribal communities, consume Akkarghoda rhizome and fronds. They are used as a decoction for rheumatic pain. The rhizome paste is also used against scorpion stings. During childbirth, its roots are used to relieve pain, especially breast pain. Akkarghoda is also known to increase milk production in new mothers and when applied topically, it helps relieve sores. It is also used to treat burns and scalds.

Other Names

Local Name: Akkarghoda / अक्करघोडा
Common Name: Lady Fern
Botanical Name: Athyrium hohenackerianum

Status & Habitat

Habitat: Fern
Occurrence: Exposed Rocks in Forests, Mountain Steeps,
Riverbanks and Earth Cuttings
Season of Availability: July - November
Geography: Asia
Method of Propagation: Spore dispersal
Part used for Propagation: Spores

Edible Parts

Edible Parts: Tender Shoots
Can be Eaten Raw: Yes

Method of Consumption

Raw: Yes
Ripe: Yes
Both Raw & Ripe: Yes
Dangerous Form to Consume: N/A
As Food: Leaves eaten raw; young shoots boiled and cooked as a vegetable.
As Medicine: Rhizome and fronds decoction alleviates rheumatic pain, roots are used for treating intestinal worms, and rhizome paste is applied for scorpion stings; young fronds are consumed to treat cancer; plant's roots alleviate childbirth pain, increase milk production in new mothers, and offer topical relief for sores.
Cooking Method: Leaves eaten raw; young shoots boiled and cooked as a vegetable.
Preservation / Curing Technique: Akkarghoda is collected in the rainy season and
dried on a specially made structure called "Chulha" or "Tagar."
Does Require Another Plants to be cooked together: No
Souring Agents Required: No

Nutritional & Medicinal Benefits

Nutritional Benefit: Contains proteins, carbohydrates, fats, antioxidants and vitamins.
Medicinal Benefit: Helps treat rheumatic pain, intestinal worms, scorpion stings, cancer, breast pain, and sores; helps increase breast milk production.

Tribal Wisdom

Tribal Wisdom:
- Rhizome and fronds are used as a decoction for rheumatic pain.
- Roots are used to treat intestinal worms.
- Rhizome paste is also used for scorpion stings.
- Akkarghoda is used as traditional medicine wherein young fronds are consumed as a treatment for cancer.
- During childbirth, its roots are used to relieve pain, especially breast pain.
- Akkarghoda is known to increase milk production in new mothers and when
applied topically, it helps relieve sores.

Recipes / Usage

Tribal Recipe / Usage: Leaves may be eaten raw.

Image Gallery

Akkarghoda / अक्करघोडा / Lady Fern / Athyrium hohenackerianum