Polypody suggested uses include liver ailments, inflammation of the tissues around the lungs (pleurisy), worms, as a laxative, as an appetite stimulant, bronchitis, and dry irritable coughs. Polypody is used in european herbal medicine for the treatment of hepatitis, indigestion, and loss of appetite. An extract from the plant stems of a wintergreen fern that grows across europe.

It's main benefits for the skin are increasing its ability to reduce any stress and signs of ageing that appear on the skin surface. P. Vulgare has been accepted by european medicines agency (ema) for its use as expectorant herbal medicine in cough and cold and in cases of occasional constipation. It lowers fevers due to antipyretic properties.