Sweet Fern
Sweet Fern ( Comptonia Peregrina) is a deciduous shrub, belonging to the Myricaceae family. It grows throughout the eastern parts of North America, from Nova Scotia down to Georgia, and west to Minnesota. Sweet Fern thrives in dry sandy soils and pine forests, creating large shrub clusters often a few meters in diameter when in full sun. In shadier locations plants often appear lankier, often growing near lowbush blueberries. Sweet Fern also functions as a pioneer species ecologically, colonizing and fixing nitrogen into depleted soils in clear cut areas, improving the soil for future migrations of plants.
Indigenous cultures across this continent have used this herb for centuries for its soothing anti-inflammatory properties and for skin conditions such as acne, rashes, eczema and even poison ivy. The plant is often used as a tea or spice in cooking as well as an incense in ceremony.
The essential oil is composed mainly of beta-caraphyllene, with lesser amounts of alpha-humulene, beta-myrcene, 1,8-cineole and y-terpinene. Beta-caryophyllene possesses anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, antioxidant, anesthetic and anti-carcinogenic properties, while alpha-humulene possesses strong anti-inflammatory capabilities. The hydrosol is rich in 1,8-Cineole, a-terpineol and linalool.
Sweet Fern is featured as the key ingredient in the following products:
Forest Nymph Hyaluronic Acid Serum
Forest Essence: Boreal Botanical Balm
References:
Sylvestre M, Pichette A, Lavoie S, Longtin A, Legault J. Composition and cytotoxic activity of the leaf essential oil of Comptonia peregrina (L.) Coulter. Phytother Res. 2007 Jun;21(6):536-40. doi: 10.1002/ptr.2095. PMID: 17326040.
Wollenweber E, Kohorst G, Mann K, Bell JM. Leaf Gland Flavonoids in Comptonia peregrina and Myrica pensylvanica (Myricaceae). J Plant Physiol. 1985 Jan;117(5):423-30. doi: 10.1016/S0176-1617(85)80049-3. Epub 2012 Jan 20. PMID: 23195863.
Lawrence BM, Weaver KM. Essential oils and their constituents. XII. A comparative chemical composition of the essential oils of Myrica gale and Comptonia peregrina. Planta Med. 1974 Jun;25(4):385-8. doi: 10.1055/s-0028-1097959. PMID: 4851904.