Usnea

Description

Usnea Lichen Discussion:

Usnea, also called “Old Man’s Beard” is more than likely THE most complex organism on Earth. It is not considered to be a plant, as it is a miniature ecosystem comprised of three plants intertwined. Usnea is comprised of fungal filaments, algae, and cyanobacterium. It is a living microbiome of multiple, individual organisms, all of which have the ability to live on their own, outside of the structure. Interestingly, their physiology and biochemistry are very different within the lichen than they are living outside of it. There are over 6,000 types of Usnea and the living collaboration within have made this process a nightmare for scientists for lichen species classification. (1)

Usnea is a special plant, as it is a mass of algae that live in filaments that synthesizes its own vitamins and nutrients, while using the plant that it grows on only as a substrate. Lichens do not have roots. Therefore, they attach to any structure. Depending on what they grow on, lichens may offer unique benefits. For example, if it grows on the bark of a specific tree, it may also contain some of the medicinal benefits of the bark. Some describe lichens as “plant parasites”, yet that is not the case, it simply uses the plant to stay in place as it locomotes over its surface. There is one exception, which is stone, enzymatic processes of the organisms in lichen may enhance the weathering process of stone. They are capable of turning stone into high-quality soil. As a matter of fact, they are like living monitors, only thriving in clean air and healthy environments. In previous centuries, they were considered as so.

Some algae species in lichen are known to be symbiotic. Some lichens can form and work together with some seaweed species. For example, they can help seaweeds to become more resistant to drying out. Lichens have evolved from fungi associating with algae and cyanobacteria, many times over the centuries.

Many compare Usnea to be a natural alternative to Doxycycline. It is more accurate to say that it is one of the most potent antibiotic herbs on the planet. It is a featured herb in Dr. Stephen Buhner’s book, “Herbal Antivirals”. It has sown to be antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic, antiprotozoal, antiviral, immunostimulatory, biofilm-inhibitory, and to potentiate many pharmaceuticals, such as those used for H. Pylori. (1) It has also shown to be active against multiple strains of Bacillus, Bacteroides, Clostridium, Corynebacterium, Enterococcus, Listeria, Micrococcus, Mycobacterium, Propionibacterium, Staphylococcus, H. Pylori, E. coli, Herpes, Epstein Barr, and Streptococcus pathogens, many of which are known to cause GI and skin diseases. (1) It is active against many parasites, such as Trypanosoma cruzi, Echinococcus granulosus (as well as cysts), and Toxoplasma gondii. (1) Lastly, the yeasts it has shown activity against are: Malasseziea, Microsporum, Trichophyton, T. rubrum, and many species of Candida. (1)

Dr. Buhner tells us that it is not a widely systemic herb. Although it may be ideal to support GI issues, as a douche for vaginal infections, resistant bacterial infections, resistant TB infections, resistant skin infections, resistant bronchial and pulmonary infections, and conjunctivitis. (1) Long ago it was used to pack major wounds, as it promotes healing. In veterinary medicine, it is used for abscesses. In TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), it is used to clear heat in the body, especially the liver. They also utilized it for TB within the lymph nodes. 

The processing of Usnea seems to be just as complex as its biodiversity! There have been individual researchers who have studied the best way to extract Usnea compounds, especially those that are immunostimulatory. To understand how to extract them, is to truly understand this herb, an aspect that no other company offering Usnea products has ever mentioned, that I can find. When you grind Usnea down to a powder, you will get a silky-fine, green powder, full of what look like white threads, or filaments, which is where the main immunity compounds are found. One is water soluble, while the other requires heat to extract constituents. For this reason, we have a special process that we use on our Usnea tinctures. You can use your tincture to make tea by adding two droppers to a cup of boiling hot water, which is how to make a traditional strength herbal tea using tinctures. 

To make a douche with an Usnea tincture, simply add 3 droppers to water and mix well. You can douche twice daily, followed by rinsing, every three days. To make a skin wash, make a 50/50 solution with water and soak a cotton ball to wipe over the skin.

Usnea show intense antioxidants, vitamin C, and polyphenols. The usnic acid in Usnea has been shown active against many cancer cell lines, such as lung, breast, malignant mesothelioma cells, and vulvar carcinoma cells. (1) As we commonly discuss throughout this site, the higher the antioxidant activity, more free radicals are targeted. Some independent researchers claim that there is an anti-aging chemical extracted from them as well. While the main constituent you may hear about is usnic acid, Usnea contains other potent antibacterial compounds, such as hirtusneanoside and vulpinic acid. We are told that the focus on usnic acid is to create a platform for pharmaceuticals.

Usnea contains sodium usnate, a sodium salt, which was studied in clinical trials. It showed to offer rapid improvement for cough, anorexia, fever, and diarrhea, tuberculosis, pulmonary TB chronic bronchitis, stimulation of the separation of necrotic tissue, stimulation of new tissue growth, healing of major burns, cervical erosion, cracked nipples, urinary infections, and for the treatment of trichomonas vaginitis. (1) 

Dr. Buhner speaks on the fungal strains of Usnea that show bioactivity when used medicinally. One lichen mass may contain up to one-thousand species. (1) Some are on the outside, some are produced on the inside, and some are even endolichenic. He tells us that Usnea is a significant herb to use in cases of pathogenic resistance. 

While we advocate wildcrafting your own plants, we would give caution for collecting lichens. Some types are medicinal, while some may be toxic. Most of the toxic lichens are yellow in color. You only want to pick Usnea deeper in the forest or at least 300 feet away from roads and homes. We suggest doing your own research to obtain an identification and to know how to properly pick whatever plants you choose, especially Usnea. Another caution, or rumor to address is the use of usnic acid. It is a compound in Usnea and it is used by weight loss companies as an isolated, extracted compound. Usnea in its whole form does not contain toxic amounts of usnic acid. However, the dishonest weight loss companies do not tell you that isolated usnic extract, in large amounts, is a potent chemical that is harsh on the liver.

The only cautions that come with Usnea is to not use while pregnant and that it is a potentiator for the drug Clarithromycin, which means it makes it stronger. (1)

We wanted to mention another popular, medicinal lichen that we offer – Lungwort! You can learn more about it by Clicking Here! We also have mosses like Spanish, Club, & Carpet Mosses! We even have wildcrafted, sun-dried Sea Moss! We also add Usnea to many products such as our Viral Solutions™ and Toxoplas~Ease™ herbal blends, in our Nasal Solutions™ nasal spray, in our Auditory Solutions™ ear drops, as well as our Sensory~Ease™ eye rinse! Click on their names to be redirected to their pages!

Product Variations:

We offer every herb in multiple variations. For example, you can get it as a standard tincture, oxygenated tincture, glycerite, herbal tea, encapsulated, or as a loose powder. We highly recommend getting at least two variations of the preferred blend, to achieve saturation.

Standard Tincture – Herbal compounds extracted in an alcohol base. Alcohol offers a superior absorption rate. We recommend allowing your dose to sit under the tongue for 3+ minutes, then swallowing it down with a drink of water. Otherwise, you may add it to 4 oz. of water, juice, or a smoothie. Microscopic compounds are readily available to be absorbed through tissues, into the bloodstream, and then circulated to organs.

Herbosomal/Lipospheric Tincture – This is the standard tincture, put through an energetic process. We collide the herbal compounds with oxygen and essential oil molecules, entrapping them within an oxygenated bubble. The process can be seen because the tincture lightens in color. The lipospheres’ may have the capability to surpass the bioavailability of a standard tincture, although it exhibits all of the same benefits.

Glycerite – Herbal compounds extracted in vegetable glycerin. This contains NO alcohol and NO sugar. The taste of glycerin resembles syrup, which makes it ideal for children. This version may be best for those highly sensitive or are seeking a nonalcoholic extraction. Doses may need to be up to three times higher than a tincture to receive similar benefits. They can be taken in the same way as tinctures, which is in 4 oz. of water, juice, or a smoothie.

Vegetarian Capsule – Size 00, vegetarian capsules, hand-encapsulated, to order. The capsule is swallowed with at least 4 oz. of water or juice.

Herbal Tea – Tea bags are handmade to order. Each bag can be brewed up to three times. Constituents will be continually extracted with each brew. Be sure to squeeze the bag gently upon finishing your cup of lovely tea. The label specifies the brewing instructions, which highly depends on the parts of the plant that are used in the tea. It may be best to drink as is, without adding a sugar substitute. Don’t forget the medicinal residue settled at the bottom of the cup!

Loose Herbal Powder – We take pride in the freshness and quality of our herbs. They are hand-ground, to order. Most of our herbs are wildcrafted by us. If we must purchase them, we first choose them in their whole form. We feel that ethically wildcrafted is superior, ensuring a denser content of medicinal compounds, freshness, as well as higher enzymatic/antioxidant activity. Wildcrafting also allows us to include as many parts as possible. We always indicate wildcrafted with the abbreviation “WC”. 

Topical Ointment – An oil-based salve infused with Usnea, and it is scented with our Viral~Ease™ essential oil.

Infused Oil – We delicately infuse sunflower oil with Usnea! It is an amazing, infused oil! It is scented with our Viral~Ease™ essential oil.

Organic Soap – We offer infused, organic soap in 8 oz. portions. This is two 4 oz. bars. It is scented with our Viral~Ease™ essential oil.

All variations are animal & child-safe, at the appropriate dosage. View our child’s dosage guide by Clicking Here. 

Always use herbs wisely and with common sense, as they are to be respected. We hope that you have learned something new by reading these variations! Attaining herbal knowledge may help you, a child, family members, or a friend sometime in the future! Lastly, most of our herbs and products have been tested by an energetic practitioner, using a bio resonance scanning system. The results showed that our products tested up to 360% more powerful than other brand names! Our customers choose us over them because we create products that are unique, from an honest place of the heart, emanating a healing energy, intended to help you!

 

 

 

References:

• 2. Buhner, S. (2012). Herbal Antibiotics. North Adams, MA. Storey Publishing.