Usnea

Medicinal parts: Research into this species is not yet complete, making it difficult to establish which lichens are used for extraction of which drug, and which lichens have been described by earlier botanists. It consists of the dried thallus of Usnea species, primarily Usnea barbata, Usnea florida, Usnea hirta, Usnea plicata

Qualities Cooling, drying

Properties Antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral

Constituents

Lichen acids (plyketides); including among others, (+)- usnic acid, thamnolic acid (hirtellic acid), usnaric acid (salazinc acid), lobaric acid, stictinic acid, protocetraric acid, everninic acid, barbatinic acid (rhizonic acid), diffractaic acid (dirhizonic acid), barbatolic acid. The lichen acid spectrums of the different species vary from one another, with usnic acid the chief constituent.

Mucilage

Effects

Antimicrobial and has shown both antifungal and antiviral effects in vitro

Uses

Approved by Commission E;

Inflammation of the mouth and pharynx

Good for gram positive bacterial infections and mycobacterial infections. Its antibiotic and antifungal properties may be helpful for treating gastrointestinal infections, sore throats, and urinary tract infections. Useful in the mouth to promote oral hygiene.

Dose

Tincture Dried Herb (1:5, 50% alcohol made as a hot alcohol extract); 1-5 ml (0.2-1 tsp) 3 times daily (see Usnea tincture)

The daily dose is 600 mg.

For lozenge preparations use the equivalent of 100 mg herb; take 1 lozenge 3 to 6 times a day.

Usnea

Constituents

Effects

Uses

Dose

Articles/Studies

Attachments