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.[15]==Actions==anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antiparastic, analgesic, astringent, styptic, tonic, vulnerary
==Health Benefits and Uses of Usnea==
Usnea have been used as promising traditional medicines, exerting an array of therapeutic properties to relieve sore throats, bronchitis, cold, flu, infection, and indigestion. Phytochemical analysis confirms the general presence of a wide range of metabolites, polysaccharides, fatty acids, phenolic acids, flavonoids, terpenes, sterols, depsides, depsidones, and benzofurans. As specific constituents, usnic acid, polyphenols, and depsides have been considered as main efficacy component for antibacterial and antifungal activities. In addition, pharmacological analysis also revealed that other pure compounds and crude extracts of Usnea species prove to be significant anti-cancer, anti-proliferative, anti-oxidant, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, hepatoprotective, and anti-genotoxic agents.
[[Category:Herbal medicine]]
[[Category:Antimicrobial]]
[[Category:Anti-inflammatory]]
[[Category:Astringent]]