Page 278 - Lost Book Remedies

The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies

Usnea Lichen

Also known as Old Man’s Beard, Usnea lichen grows
in a similar fashion as Spanish Moss. Once you get to
know this lichen, you will not mistake it for anything
else. Usnea has a distinguishing characteristic of a
white, rubber-band-like core, so always look for this.
Usnea is an indicator of a healthy ecosystem with
clean air. The lichen will not grow in heavily polluted
areas and is now considered endangered in many ar-
eas. If I had to pick only one medicine to have avail- viral infections such as herpes simplex and the Ep-
able to me this would be the one. All Usnea species stein Barr virus that is implicated in so many mod-
are medicinal. ern diseases. Douching with Usnea can help with
cervical dysplasia.
Identification: Usnea can be found hanging from
the bark of trees like long strands of an old man’s Respiratory System, Urinary Tract, Blad-
beard. It can be distinguished from other lichens by der, and Kidney Infections: Usnea helps heal
its stretchy inner fibers and its exclusive white core. respiratory problems such as bronchitis, pneumo-
It is gray-green in color and can take many different nia, sinus infections, strep throat, colds, flus, and
forms. It prefers to grow in areas with a lot of rain- other respiratory complaints. It is very effective in
fall. healing urinary tract, bladder, and kidney infections.
Its antibiotic and antiviral properties help eliminate
Edible Use: Usnea is considered edible when the infections while the immune system helps the
leached a few times, but it is not very palatable. It body heal. I primarily use it in the form of a double-
can cause great stomach upset and I don’t eat it. It is, extracted Usnea tincture.
however, one of my favorites go to medicinal plants.
Skin Problems,
Medicinal Use: Usnea lichen is a powerful anti-
biotic, antifungal, antimicrobial, and antiviral. I al- Wounds, and
ways carry Usnea and Blue Elderberry tinctures Infections: Us-
when I travel on airplanes and when I am around nea’s antibiotic and
people who may be ill, as they both prevent and cure healing properties
illness. I often put Usnea in a spray bottle for this work on wounds
use. I find that a spray of Usnea Tincture in the back and skin problems
of the throat helps prevent illnesses from taking when it is applied
hold. It is also a handy delivery mechanism to spray as a poultice, salve,
on to a wound or skin condition. Usnea extracts well or tincture directly
in oil and as a double extracted tincture in alcohol on the affected
and water. skin. This lichen
also has analgesic
Antibiotic Use: Strep, Staph, MRSA, Tu- and anti-inflamma-
berculosis: The outer portion of the Usnea lichen tory properties that
contains antibiotic compounds that rival penicillin. help relieve pain.
For gram-positive bacteria like Streptococcus, Pneu- Yeast Infec-
mococcus, MRSA, and tuberculosis, it works ex-
tremely well. I use it topically as well as internally. It tions, Thrush,
doesn’t seem to work as well for gram-negative bac- Athlete’s Foot,
teria like E. coli. Jock Itch, Ringworm, Dandruff, and
Other Fungal Infections: Usnea is a powerful
A Powerful Antiviral: Epstein-Barr, Her- antifungal and treats yeast infections in women. It is
pes, HPV: Usnea lichen is effective in treating also effective against the fungi causing athlete’s foot,

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