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What better month than December to talk about “old man’s beard”? This plant got its nickname from having the appearance of exactly that- an old man’s beard. The official name is Usnea, and it’s a lichen from the Fungi family! By definition, lichens have characteristics of both fungi and algae. It seems that the fungus part of the plant contributes to the overall structure and can provide some protection from the weather, while the algae part of the plant is able to provide nutrition for the growth of the entire organism.
Walking leisurely through the woods, one can easily find Usnea growing naturally in several different species of trees, especially in the Pacific Northwest. It resembles Spanish Moss in that it hangs from tree limbs and has that wispy appearance.
What is Usnea used for anyway??
Usnea has a long history in the traditional Chinese medicine arena, and has also been used within the Western Botanical realm. Two main components of Usnea are usnic acid and polyphenols.
The usnic acid appears to be effective against gram-positive bacteria, such as tuberculosis, staphylococcus, streptococcus and pneumococcus. Due to its antibacterial properties, it has even been used as a wound dressing. There has also been documentation that it has slowed bleeding from deep cuts in some cases.
Safety Issues
Until more is known regarding internal (ingestion) usage of Usnea, this should be avoided as it can have negative, even fatal, outcomes. Absorption through the skin occurs in relatively low amounts though. Pregnant and lactating women should avoid any use of this herb.
Usnic acid has also been used in weight loss supplements in the past. Though it did seem to be effective for some individuals attempting to lose weight through its apparent ability to raise metabolism, this proved to be dangerous as higher doses of usnic acid ingested orally, especially if taken repeatedly over a span of time, have been shown to be a possible cause of liver failure experienced by some who took supplements containing this constituent. It in fact was listed as the “suspect compound” in certain weight loss supplements.
In some individuals, topical use could cause contact dermatitis, so caution is definitely in order before proceeding with the use of this or any other herbal remedy or supplement.
Always consult with your doctor prior to starting any other therapies or regimens, regardless of the origin. If your doctor is in agreement, then it would also be advisable to consult with a certified herbalist before proceeding.
If you would like to order Usnea after consulting with your medical doctor and a certified herbalist, just CLICK HERE!
References used in compiling this post include:
Safety Issues Affecting Herbs
Usnea: an herb used in Western and Chinese medicine
- The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies, by Nicole Apelian, PhD and Claude Davis
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