Health benefits of Usnea – Lichen

Usnea, also known as Beard lichen, tree’s dandruff, woman’s long hair, or tree moss, old man’s beard, Beard Moss, Mousse D Arbre, oak moss, Sodium Usniate, Usnea Barbata, Usnea Florida, Usnea Hirta, Usnea Lichen is a lichen, a symbiotic relationship between an algae and fungus. The fungus belongs to the division Ascomycota, while the alga is a member of the division Chlorophyta. Usnea looks like long, fuzzy strings hanging from trees in the forests of North America and Europe, where it grows. The entire lichen is used medicinally. It is the green tangly mass that hangs down from the dead trunks and branches of trees, particularly pine trees, occasionally called “old man’s beard.”

Usnea is slow growing lichen about 3 cm tall. It is found growing all over the temperate zones in the northern hemisphere, particularly in the coastal rainforest and sub-arctic regions. It usually grows on tree branches and prefers moist habitats. It is the green tangly mass that hangs down from the dead trunks and branches of trees, especially pine trees. Usneas have a double filament, with an inner core of white to yellow, and an outer portion that is green to grey; the green is contributed by the algae’s chlorophyll. Usnea may be whitish, reddish, or black. The plant body of usnea is used to make medicine. They are bright red and yellow, and grow on rocks. They are long wispy strands of gray-green hair, hanging like beards from hardwood trees in rainy forests. Or they are floppy and leaf-like.

Health benefits of Usnea

Usnea is a type of lichen that grows on trees. Though lichens appear to be single plants, they are really a combination of fungus and algae that grow together for their mutual benefit. Lichens grow in colorful, flat patches. Usnea may be whitish, reddish, or black. The plant body of usnea is used to make medicine. For years now, Usnea has proven to have quite a number of medical uses. Some of the medical uses of Usnea include:

1. Antibacterial benefits

Usnea is popular for its antibacterial properties. Research has discovered that the lichen kills bacteria particularly the bacteria that are found in the digestive tract. Further studies reveal that it is in fact extremely beneficial to humans as it does not kill all kinds of bacteria and may leave the bacteria that are useful to the digestive tract unharmed. Usnea can be used to efficiently cure several conditions caused by gram positive bacteria. Some of the bacteria that it acts against effectively include Staph (Staphylococcus simulans and S. Aureus). It also acts against Streptococcus. By only killing the gram positive bacteria, it is a great way of eliminating bacteria without harming the beneficial bacteria.

2. Antiviral benefits

3. Anti fungal benefits

Usnea is quite beneficial in clearing antifungal infections. Usnea has been researched to effectively cure several types of fungal infections, Candida species included. For its antifungal uses, the herb can be used both internally and topically, depending on how it is available and how it is favored.

4. Healing Wounds

Usnea is a fantastic choice for wounds. As we’ve seen, it is a powerful antimicrobial herb. Using usnea herb in wounds can help treat or prevent infection. It also has wound-healing abilities that can accelerate the healing process. To use usnea on a wound you might try it as a powdered herb or, if the wound is not infected, as a salve.

Other Traditional uses and benefits of Usnea

• It is good for sore throats and skin infections.
• It is also effective against a bacterium that usually causes pneumonia.
• Due to its bitter taste, usnea encourages digestion and was historically used by herbalists to treat indigestion.
• It was also reportedly used over 3,000 years ago in ancient Egypt, Greece, and China to treat unspecified infections.
• Usnea is a wonderful remedy for cellulitis or infected wounds.
• It is used in the treatment of bronchitis and as part of herbal cancer therapy, particularly for cases of thyroid cancers in China.
• It is used to heal respiratory and sinus infections, pneumonia, profuse phlegm, strep throat, colds, flus, as well as, urinary tract, kidney, and bladder infections.
• It has been used traditionally for treating headaches, ocular irritation, malaria, scorfula, leucorrhea, bleeding, carbuncle and toxic snake bite.
• It is beneficial for people with chronic fatigue syndrome, HIV, herpes, and other chronic conditions related with depressed immunity.
• This herb can be used to heal lung illnesses such as Bronchitis, wet or dry coughs, or other upper respiratory problems.
• Topically, it can be used to heal numerous infections.
• It is beneficial for women with yeast infections trichonomosas, bacterial vaginosis, and chlamydia, and is used to treat other fungal infections like athlete’s foot and infected wounds.
• To use topically, mix one part Usnea with five parts of heavy stock cream or jelly to make an antibacterial cream.

Other Facts

• Usnea species have been used to create orange, yellow, green, blue and purple dyes for textiles.
• Usnea barbata has been used in cosmetic production for its antimicrobial and antifungal properties as a preservative and deodorant.
• It can be used in mouthwashes, gargles and lozenges, for inflammation of the oral mucus membranes.
• City trees rarely have usnea because it is very sensitive to air pollution.
• Because of the absorbent quality of usnea, it has been used in baby diapers, wound dressings, and feminine napkins.

Culinary Uses

• Inland Dena’ina Natives of Alaska occasionally eat Usnea as an emergency food or camp food after first boiling it in water.

Dosages

Usnea is commercially available in bulk form or as a powder, capsule, or tincture.

The tincture must be diluted in water before ingesting or using externally. Usnea tincture may be taken every two hours to treat bacterial infections. Other sources recommend taking 3-4 ml of tincture three times daily.

An usnea tea can be prepared by steeping 2-3 tsp of dried lichen or 1-2 tsp of powdered lichen in 1 cup of boiling-hot water. The tea may be taken three times a day.

In the capsule form, the patient should take 100 mg of usnea three times a day.

Usnea is used externally to treat fungal infections and skin ulcers. It can also be used as a douche to treat cystitis, urinary tract infections, and vaginal infections. Usnea is generally used as a vaginal suppository to treat mild cervical dysplasia. It is taken by mouth to treat colds, strep throat, influenza, sore throats, respiratory infections, and gastrointestinal disorders.

Types

There are about 86 species of Usnea.

• Usnea arizonica
• Usnea articulata
• Usnea australis
• Usnea baileyi
• Usnea californica
• Usnea capillaris
• Usnea catenulata
• Usnea cavernosa
• Usnea ceratina
• Usnea ciliifera
• Usnea cirrosa
• Usnea condensata
• Usnea confusa
• Usnea cornuta
• Usnea deformis
• Usnea dimorpha
• Usnea diplotypus
• Usnea duriuscula
• Usnea endochrysea
• Usnea erinacea
• Usnea evansii
• Usnea fibrillosa
• Usnea filipendula
• Usnea finkii
• Usnea florida
• Usnea fragilescens
• Usnea freyi
• Usnea fulvoreagens
• Usnea furfurosula
• Usnea glabrata
• Usnea glabrescens
• Usnea graciosa
• Usnea hesperina
• Usnea hirta
• Usnea intermedia
• Usnea kajalae
• Usnea lapponica
• Usnea leucosticta
• Usnea longissima
• Usnea merrillii
• Usnea michauxii
• Usnea mirabilis
• Usnea monstruosa
• Usnea montana
• Usnea mutabilis
• Usnea occidentalis
• Usnea pachyclada
• Usnea pensylvanica
• Usnea perplexans
• Usnea prostrata
• Usnea ramillosa
• Usnea retifera
• Usnea roseola
• Usnea rubicunda
• Usnea sacbiosa
• Usnea scabrata
• Usnea scholanderi
• Usnea sphacelata
• Usnea spinulifera
• Usnea strigosa
• Usnea stuppea
• Usnea subclavata
• Usnea subfloridana
• Usnea subfusca
• Usnea subhirta
• Usnea sublaxa
• Usnea subscabrosa
• Usnea substerilis
• Usnea sylvatica
• Usnea trichodea
• Usnea tristis
• Usnea vainioi
• Usnea variegata
• Usnea variolosa
• Usnea wirthii
• Usnea xanthopoga

Precautions

• It should not be used for more than three weeks.
• Avoid during Pregnancy and breast feeding.
• It may cause Gastrointestinal Disorders.
• It is recommended that you use it cautiously while applying the herb to the skin directly.
• Direct application of the herb on the skin may result in allergic contact dermatitis.
• Usnea contains some chemicals that might harm the liver. If you have liver disease, don’t take usnea by mouth.

• Usnea Facts

  Name	Usnea
  Scientific Name	Usnea
  Native	North America
  Common Names	Tree’s dandruff, woman’s long hair, or tree moss, old man’s beard, or beard lichen, Beard Moss, Mousse D Arbre, oak moss, Sodium Usniate, Usnea Barbata, Usnea Florida, Usnea Hirta, Usnea Lichen
  Name in Other Languages	Chinese: Songluo Dutch: Baardmos English: Beard lichen, old man’s beard Finnish: Naavat
  Plant Growth Habit	Slow growing lichen
  Growing Climate	Found growing all over the temperate zones in the northern hemisphere, particularly in the coastal rainforest and sub-arctic regions. usually grow on tree branches and prefers moist habitats.
  Plant Size	About 3 cm
  Usnea Shape	Thready filaments that resemble coarse hair, stretchy like elastic if you tug gently on its strands.
  Usnea Color	Light green, grey or yellowish in color
  Inner Part	White to yellow
  Outer Part	Green to grey
  Taste	Bitter
  Plants Parts Used	Whole Lichens
  Available Forms	Bulk form or as a powder, capsule, or tincture
  Varieties	Usnea arizonica Usnea articulata Usnea australis Usnea baileyi Usnea californica Usnea capillaris Usnea catenulata Usnea cavernosa Usnea ceratina Usnea ciliifera Usnea cirrosa Usnea condensata And many more….
  Health Benefits	Antibacterial benefits Antiviral benefits Antifungal benefits Healing Wounds

• Usnea Scientific Classification

  Scientific Name:Usnea

  Rank	Scientific Name & (Common Name)
  Kingdom	Fungi (Fungi)
  Subkingdom	Dikarya
  Division	Ascomycota (Sac fungi)
  Sub Division	Pezizomycotina
  Class	Lecanoromycetes
  Subclass	Lecanoromycetidae
  Order	Lecanorales
  Family	Parmeliaceae
  Genus	Usnea Dill. ex Adans. (beard lichen)
  Synonyms	Usnea Dillenius ex Adanson Usnea aspera (Eschweiler) Vainio Usnea bicolor (Ehrhart) Hoffmann Usnea canariensis (Acharius) Du Rietz Usnea chalybeiformis (Linnaeus) Baumgarten Usnea cladonioides (Nylander) Du Rietz Usnea farinosa (Müller Arg.) Zahlbruckner Usnea hispidula (Müller Arg.) Zahlbruckner Usnea horrescens (Taylor) Motyka Usnea implexa (Hoffmann) Hoffmann Usnea ochroleuca Hoffmann Usnea plicata var. glabrata Acharius Usnea plicata var. hirta (Linnaeus) Acharius Usnea smithii Du Rietz Usnea subcapillaris (D. J. Galloway) F. J. Walker Usnea subgen. Dolichousnea Y. Ohmura Usnea subgen. Lethariella Motyka Usnea subgen. Protousnea Motyka Usnea torrefacta (Lightfoot) Schrader Usnea zahlbruckneri Du Rietz

Charila – Lichen – چھڑیلہ – اشنہ – دوالی – دواله – چھیل چھبیلہ – شیلج – پریو

ماہیت ۔ ایک باریک پچیدہ خودروبوٹی جو گرمی کے موسم میں پہاڑوں پر جہاں بہت بارش ہوتی ہے لگ بھگ چھ ہزار سےآٹھ ہزارفٹ پہاڑوں کے اوپر دیودار بلوط صنوبر اخروٹ کے درختوں اور چھوٹی بڑی چٹانوں پر کائی کی طرح کچھ گھاس نماسی پائی جاتی ہے۔اور بھولج پترکی طرح تہہ در تہہ اور اوپر سے سیاہ نیچے سے سفیدی مائل پیڑ کی شکل میں چمٹی ہوئی ہوتی ہے ۔ تازہ میں خوشبو نہیں ہوتی لیکن جب خشک ہوجائے تو اس میں خود تیز خوشبو مانندعنبر آتی ہے۔اس کی جڑ شاخ تنا پھول تخم کچھ نہیں ہوتا۔یہ بے ڈول پرت درختوں پر جمع ہوتے ہیں جو ہاتھوں سے آسانی کے ساتھ اتر آتے ہیں مزہ پھیکا اور قدرے کڑوا ہوتاہے ۔
مقام پیدائش ۔ مری پاکستان کے علاوہ دھرم ڈلہوزی شملہ نیل گری نیتی لال ہماچل اور پنجاب میں پہاڑوں کے دامن میں پائی جاتی ہے۔ نیز فارس جدہ بصرہ تک سمندروں اور دریاؤں کے کنارے پر بھی پائی جاتی ہے۔
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