Other Names : Usnea sp., Usnea lichen, old man's beard, Baardmos, Usnée, 日本語, 中文<br>The genus Usnea Adans. (Parmeliaceae; lichenized Ascomycetes) is a typical group of mostly pale grayish-green fruticoselichens that grow as leafless mini-shrubs. More than 360 species of Usnea are known in the world.
==Special Precautions of Usnea==
* There is reason to believe that Usnea, in high concentrations, could possess some toxicity.[14] The National Toxicology Program is currently evaluating the issue.*There were some reports of liver toxicity issues with a weight loss product in the early 2000’s which contained usnic acid (a constituent of usnea). However, the issues were most likely caused by the formulation which contained this and other questionable components in high amounts and overuse/abuse of the supplement (this was a “miracle” weight loss pill after all — always questionable in the first place). Yet another case for whole herb use.
==Actions==
anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antiparastic, analgesic, astringent, styptic, tonic, vulnerary