Usnea

Other Names : Usnea sp., Usnea lichen, old man's beard, Baardmos, Usnée, 日本語, 中文
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]

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.

• The usnic acid in Usnea is effective against gram positive bacteria such as Streptococcus and Staphylococcus, making Usnea a valuable addition to herbal formulas for sore throats and skin infections.
• It is also effective against a bacterium that commonly causes pneumonia and pertussis.
• Usnea sp. shows antibacterial activity against pathogenic organisms such as Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella typhiand Escherichia coli.
• Rich in Vitamin C

References

• http://medherb.com/Therapeutics/Immune_-_Lymphatics_and_antibiotics.htm
• Jellin, JM; Gregory P.; Batz F.; Hitchens, K.; et al. (2000). "USNEA". Pharmacist's Letter/Prescriber's Letter Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database (3rd ed.). Stockton, CA: Therapeutic Research Facility. pp. 1048–1049. ISBN 0967613647. Adverse reactions are uncommon in appropriate amounts. Poisoning can be possible, although signs of poisoning have not yet been described.
• "Testing Status: Usnea lichen 09063". Testing Status of Agents at NTP. National Toxicology Program. Retrieved 5 December 2012.
• https://www.ijcmas.com/vol-4-7/S.%20Kamal,%20et%20al.pdf
• https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2016/ra/c5ra24205c#!divAbstract