An ancient lichen!
Common names
- Beard Lichen
- Tree Moss
- Tree's Dandruff
- Usnea
- Woman's Long Hair
Lichen belonging to the Parmeliaceae family is called usnea. This 
genus is found growing throughout the world. Several species of this 
plant, counting U. barbata, U. bayle, U. dasypoga, U. hirta, U. florida 
and U. lobata are used for therapeutic purposes. According to available 
documents, usnea has been used in ancient China, where the lichen was 
referred to as Sun-lo and employed to calm inflamed systems as well as 
to treat external 
infections. In addition, the formulary or Aqrabadhin of Al-Kindi (ca. 850 AD) has reference to this lichen.
Usnea is the generic as well as the specific name for numerous lichen
 species belonging to the family Parmeliaceae. Made up of two or more 
organisms, including a 
fungus
 and alga, lichens usually grow on tree branches. They hang from the 
branches and have an appearance similar to grey or greenish hair.  
However, it is important that you do not mistake this genus for oak moss
 belonging to genus Evernia. The physical appearance of oak moss, which 
is also known as tree moss, is akin to that of lichen.
Similar to other lichens, usnea is also a composite organism, 
comprising a fungus and one or more partners known as photobionts. While
 the fungus is a member of the division called ascomycota, the alga 
belongs to the division called chlorophyta.
Usnea, in the form of fruticose lichen, grows like a shrub on trees 
that host it and generally replicates asexually through soredia or by 
vegetative ways through fragmentation. Sometimes, it also reproduces 
sexually by spermatogonium (wherein immature sperm 
cells
 divide into several spermatophytes) and ascogonium (wherein a female 
reproductive part in a number of ascomycetous fungi develops asci after 
fertilization). In nature or under normal conditions, lichens’ pace of 
growth is very sluggish. However, scientists have succeeded in 
accelerating their growth rates using usnea culture in laboratories. It 
is worth mentioning here that the physical appearance of usnea resembles
 Spanish moss also. They are so similar looking that the Latin name of 
Spanish moss, Tillandsia usneoides, which translated into English 
denotes “Usnea-like Tillandsia”, has been derived from usnea.
A type of lichen, usnea is found growing all over the temperate zones
 in the northern hemisphere, particularly in the coastal rainforest and 
sub-arctic regions. This lichen variety generally prefers old trees. 
Unfortunately, its habitation is witnessing rapid erosion owing to 
contemporary logging practices. If you are buying usnea, you should 
ensure that you purchase it from wild crafters, who are certified and 
are aware of the ecological cycles. They are unlikely to over harvest 
this lichen. In addition, usnea is also inclined to amass heavy metals 
from the atmosphere and, hence, it is advised that you exercise caution 
while harvesting these plants. It is important to maintain an adequate 
distance from any major pollution source while 
harvesting usnea.
Plants belonging to this genus have a greyish-green hue and they grow
 in the form of a hairy mat. The length of these plants may be anything 
between one or two inches to two or three feet. Usually, they are found 
hanging from the branches and trunks of their host trees. When touched 
they appear to be dry as well as rough. A number of usnea species also 
possess an internal core made up of white substances, which are bared 
when you pull both ends of the filament (hair) gently. The tough 
internal cord comes to view when the external covering gives way. 
Scientists are of the view that this inner cord not only provides 
tensile or elastic potency to the strand, but may possibly also be 
storing 
polysaccharide food for the sustenance of the plant.
It is believed that these species whose internal core is white 
provide us with extremely valuable therapeutic effects. Therefore, when 
you are purchasing usnea, you should ensure that the lichen contains the
 white internal core.
UsneaWild harvested
4oz-$8.00 , 8oz-$13.75 , 1lb-$24.00 
Parts used
Whole lichen.
Uses
People belonging to various cultures throughout the world have been 
using Usnea spp. for therapeutic purposes. The Haida, natives of the 
Pacific Northwest Coast, have used Usnea longissima 
fibers
 for straining contaminations from a hot pitch prior to it being used in
 the form of a medicine. In addition, people in the Canary Islands also 
used Usnea spp. in the form of a common remedy to heal 
wounds.
 In Italy, people used this species in the form of a eupeptic (a 
medicine that promotes digestion), while it was used in the form of an 
antiseptic in Argentina. Similarly, people in Saudi Arabia used Usnea 
spp. in the form of an anti-
bacterial
 agent, while in Chile it was used in the form of an anti-tumour 
medication. Indigenous people of North America extracted a dye from this
 species, and also it was used to treat 
abscesses.
It has been found that Usnea spp. may be employed to develop a 
topical remedy. The entire lichen is pulverized into powdered form an 
applied to 
skin infections by bacteria and fungi or 
burn injuries.
 Alternatively, you may also apply the whole plant to treat such 
infections and burns. In addition, Usnea spp. is also employed to cure 
internal health disorders, especially those that are related to the 
respiratory tract. The whole lichen is infused in 
alcohol to prepare a tincture which is taken internally to treat 
cold, 
flu, infections, 
bronchitis, 
sinus infections and 
pneumonia. Alternately, you may also consume the lichen as a whole or even prepare a 
tea and drink it to treat these conditions.
Usnea works as a 
tonic for the 
immune system and it may be used to treat severe conditions. In addition, this herb can be used on a long-term basis for perking up the 
immune system as well as a remedy to prevent disorders related to the 
immune system.
 As the use of this herb does not have any risky adverse effects or 
cause contraindications, it can be safely recommended for children as 
well as animals. This herbal medication is extremely beneficial for 
women suffering from bacterial vaginosis, 
yeast infections, 
Chlamydia (a widespread sexually transmitted 
disease caused by Chlamydia trachomatis) and trichomoniasis (a sexually transmitted disease). People suffering from 
HIV, 
chronic fatigue, 
herpes as well as other chronic problems associated with poor immunity may also find this herb useful.
In addition, usnea may also be used to treat 
fungal infections, such as 
athlete’s foot, 
candidiasis and 
ringworm. It is also effective for curing 
mastitis, 
impetigo, 
boils, pneumonia, bronchitis, 
strep throat or 
sore throat, sinus infections, 
dysentery (but not 
cholera, 
typhoid
 or other infections of the intestine due to gram-negative bacteria), 
and skin and lung tuberculosis. Using usnea to gargle helps to treat 
strep or sore throat, while spraying a watered down infusion prepared 
with the herb helps to cure sinus infections. This herb has been found 
to be particularly useful for treating infections of the upper 
respiratory system and 
urinary tract infections.
People in different parts of the world have been using usnea for 
medicinal purposes for more than 1600 years. Usnic acid is a very strong
 
antibiotic
 as well as an anti-fungal agent and is present in all usnea species. 
Usnic acid and the hair-like constitution of this lichen denote that 
usnea served well as an effective medication for curing external wounds 
in earlier times, before the advent of sterile gauze and contemporary 
antibiotics. In fact, traditionally people have been using usnea 
internally as well as externally. However, a number of medical 
literatures recommend that usnea should only be used externally, because
 it has the potential to be toxic for the liver.
In contemporary American herbal medicine, practitioners use a lichen 
species called Usnea barbata in the form of an antibiotic, especially to
 treat infections of the lungs and the upper respiratory tract as well 
as urinary tract infections. It is worth mentioning that practitioners 
of herbal medicine have employed usnea in the form of an antibiotic 
against gram-positive bacteria and in the form of an antifungal agent to
 neutralize Candida albicans. However, usnea has not been used in any 
clinical trial on humans so far, and, hence, it is neither possible to 
corroborate or reject any of the practices mentioned above. 
Nevertheless, findings of in vitro research have strongly endorsed the 
fact that usnea possesses anti-microbial attributes.
In 1989, the Commission E in Germany has approved the use of usnea 
for treating mild inflammations related to the oral as well as 
pharyngeal mucosa.
It may be noted that usnea has also demonstrated anecdotal 
effectiveness in treating fish infections in ponds and aquariums - a 
very difficult task indeed.
Earlier, usnea was used as a major ingredient in a medication called Lipokinetix, which was prescribed to promote 
weight loss by means of an enhanced rate of 
metabolism.
 In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned
 against the use of Lipokinetix, as this medication may result in side 
effects, especially hepatotoxicity (toxicity of the liver). However, it 
is yet to be ascertained if the toxicity caused by this medication is in
 any way related to usnea. In addition to the lichen, the other 
ingredients of Lipokinetix included 
caffeine, PPA, diiodothyronine and yohimbine.
Usnea is also used to prepare a homeopathic remedy, which is effective for treating 
sunstroke and 
headache.
 Traditionally, usnea has been used in the form of a bitter tonic. The 
herb was also used therapeutically in Rome, Greece, ancient Egypt and 
China since much before Christ was born.
It is interesting to note that the external part of usnea possesses 
anti-bacterial properties, while the internal part contains 
polysaccharides and may also work to perk up the immune system.
In addition to their therapeutic value, different species of usnea 
have also been used to produce dyes and also to make deodorants and 
preservatives. Different dyes, including green, purple, orange, yellow 
and blue, were made from many different usnea varieties. People have 
been using a specific lichen species Usnea barbata as an ingredient in 
cosmetics,
 as it possesses antifungal and anti-microbial properties. This 
particular usnea species has also been used to make deodorants as well 
as preservatives.
Habitat and cultivation
The lichen species Usnea spp. grows in all regions of the world, 
ranging from places at sea-level to the elevated sub-Alpine regions. On 
the other hand, another variety called Usnea wirthii is often found 
growing on coniferous trees in the open forest lands in the plains. This
 species is especially found growing on lofty white 
oaks
 in Eugene, located in the Pacific Northwest region. The lichen species 
Usnea longissima grows best when it is cultivated on shrubs and trees in
 forests having old trees.
Research
Scientists undertaking research to find new antibiotics became 
interested very early on as plants belonging to this genus have a 
history of being used in the form of anti-microbial agents by natives of
 different cultures. By 1944, scientists discovered that more than 50 
percent of the lichens they studied enclosed lichen 
acids,
 which have various degrees of antibiotic actions. The lichen acids are 
especially active in combating gram positive bacteria, for instance 
mycobacteria, staphylococcus and streptococcus. However, these 
substances are usually not effectual against gram negative bacteria like
 
E. coli and salmonella.
Constituents
Chemical analysis of Usnea spp. has revealed that its main 
constituents include usnic acid as well as its derivates. Scientists 
believe that Usnea spp. is effective in counteracting gram positive 
bacteria and work by disturbing functions of the cell membrane of these 
bacteria, thereby helping to prevent the formation of ATP (Adenosine 
triphosphate) as well as oxidative phosphorylation. However, usnic acids
 do not affect the human cells as much, because the human cells do not 
allow usnic acids to penetrate easily. It is worth mentioning here that 
the level of 
vitamin C in usnea is very high.
Usual dosage
Traditionally, usnea has been used to treat open wounds or those that
 have been infected by bacteria and fungi. The entire herb is powdered 
and applied directly to the affected skin. In addition, the herb has 
also been used to prepare potent 
decoctions and infused in alcohol with a view to maximize the immune enhancing actions of the herb. 
Tincture: The standard dosage of usnea tincture for adults is 3 ml 
taken thrice every day. The frequency of the dosage of this tincture may
 be increased to treat severe conditions. To treat tuberculosis, take 
usnea two to seven drops of tincture thrice every day continuously for a
 period of six months.
Side effects and cautions
Although usnea is effective for treating a number of conditions, it 
is advised that you exercise caution while applying the herb to the skin
 directly. This is necessary because the direct application of the herb 
on the skin may result in 
allergic
 contact dermatitis. In case, you suffer from this side effect of usnea,
 you should stop applying the herb directly to the skin. Instead, you 
may use it internally.
However, the tincture or decoction prepared from usnea does not have 
any known side effect. Several herbalists are of the view that usnea is a
 safe herb for treating autoimmune conditions, especially in instances 
where the immune system is hyper-active and assaults specific body 
tissues.
Here is a word of caution: usnea should never be recommended for women during 
pregnancy.