Foraging for Usnea
If you have never been introduced to usnea you are in for a treat! It is a highly beneficial herb to have in your repertoire especially during cold and flu season or any time you need to build up your immune system. It is an easy one to forage if you're lucky to have it by you. More info on foraging for usnea at the end of the article.
This information is provided for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. It is important that you do thorough research from multiple reliable sources before using herbs. While herbs are generally considered very safe there are exceptions. This is by no means a complete monograph of this particular herb. My intent is to peak your interest enough to begin a lifelong journey using herbs.
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Usnea Botanical Name
Usnea species
Commonly called Old Man’s Beard
Family
Parmeliaceae
Where it Grows
Usnea grows on trees, specifically pine, spruce, juniper and fir trees along with oak, hickory, walnut, apple and pear.
Parts used and how to identify
Usnea is a lichen and the entire lichen is used. To ensure you have the correct plant do the strand test. Simply moisten a strand of the usnea and gently tug at both ends. The grayish green outer layer (the algae) should break while revealing an inner white elastic-like strand (the fungi).
When to harvest
Usnea can be harvested year around even in the winter.
Plant Properties
Alterative, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antimicrobial
Energetics
Cooling and drying
Bitter taste
Preparations Used
Tea, tincture, infused oil
Plant uses
Very powerful in helping to fight off most strep and staph infections. This includes internal and external applications.
Externally, the tincture is a powerful healer and helps clear up cuts, wounds, fungal infections and impetigo (skin infection).
Many people have found usnea to be extremely beneficial in fighting off sinusitis, bronchitis, colds and even pneumonia. (It's great at fighting off upper respiratory conditions.)
Also works on healing urinary, kidney and bladder infections.
Women may find usnea helpful in getting rid of a yeast infection or chlamydia.
Usnea can be used in place of, or along with, echinacea to build immunity in the body. This includes colds, flu and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Because of the antiviral property, usnea is greatly beneficial in fighting off herpes. (This is great news if you struggle with cold sores!)
I find this very fascinatng, but usnea works as a powerful antibiotic WITHOUT killing the good bacteria in the gut like over the counter ones do. This is because usnea only destroys gram positive bacteria but leaves the gram negative microbes alone. In other words, usnea does not mess with our body's natural flora. This makes it a true gem.
Things to note
Usnea is a lichen. Remember in grade school the little ditty about Alice the Algae and Freddie the Fungi got to "Lichen" each other?? Yea, totally came back to me while studying this herb. So glad that information finally came in useful. :)
A more common name for usnea is Old Man's Beard because of the way it hangs from trees.
***Usnea contains usnic acid which some people are extremely allergic to. Lichens are also known to irritate the kidneys if ingested over long periods of time.
Harvesting sustainably
Please take care while harvesting usnea as it is extremely slow growing and could easily become over-harvested. A good idea is to gather the lichen from wind-fallen branches. Around here, that means spring is a great time to start looking!
Even though it may look like a parasite hanging from the trees, it is actually extremely beneficial to trees and helps extend their life by bringing in more oxygen. That is why harvesting from fallen branches is so imperative.
Another word of caution: usnea readily absorbs heavy metals so be sure to only gather in a clean area far away from vehicles and pollution.
Be sure to harvest in places you are welcome, and places that are away from polluted areas such as busy roads.
Put it in to practice
Now that you know all the wonderful benefits of usnea, here are some ideas to get you started in using it!
My favorite use for usnea is in tincture form. I take it when I really need an extra boost of goodness above and beyond my elderberry syrup. Or to really kick a sinus infection.
At the first sign of a cold sore, I place a dropperful of the tincture onto a cotton ball and hold it directly on the area. It does sting, so be aware of that. I do this several times during the first onset of a cold sore. And honest to goodness it seems to shorten the duration of the nasty bugger. Take it internally as well to help fight the virus off.
You can also make a tea from the lichen, but in my opinion, it doesn’t taste that great. To make it use 2 tablespoons of usnea to one cup hot water. Allow to steep for several minutes. Strain off and drink up to 3 times a day.
Making an infused oil from usnea can be used topically for skin infections.
Where to purchase
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If you are unable to grow your own herbs, or find ingredients locally, then here are two of my favorite places to buy bulk ingredients:
