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.