In naturopathy, beard lichen has been known for a long time. More than 4000 years ago, the ancient Egyptians use it to treat various diseases. In the European region, they have also been used successfully for about 1000 years. It is one of the most effective natural antibiotics.
Occurrence and cultivation of beard lichen
The beard lichen (Usnea barbata) belongs to the family of lichens (Parmeliaceae) and is also called tree moss and old man’s beard. The grayish to greenish-yellowish looking medicinal plant grows hanging and shrub-like on the bark of coniferous and deciduous trees. It is a symbiotic community between a chlorophyte alga and an ascomycete fungus. The bearded lichen grows from ten cm to one meter long, depending on environmental conditions. In pure high mountain air (alpine forests) it grows longer than in sulfur polluted air in the lowlands. Bearded lichens require an acidic environment and therefore only develop on trees with acidic bark. They prefer cooler regions with high humidity and frequent rainfall. Sometimes they even grow on stones (Andean region). At the ends of the thread-like structures they form semicircular or pin-shaped outgrowths. When pulled apart, the bark separates to reveal the whitish pith.
Effect and application
Beard lichen contains the highly effective usnic acid, tannins and vitamin C and is used internally and externally. For the preparation of natural remedies, the whole herb is used. It is dried and processed into tea, tincture, extract, lozenges and mother tincture. The cosmetics industry uses old man’s beard in various products because of its preservative effect. In addition, beard lichen preparations are suitable for external use as poultices and wound dressings. Applied as a natural deodorant to the armpits, beard lichen has an odor-inhibiting effect. Poured into bath water, it is used to treat skin diseases. If the user ingests lozenges with bearded lichen thick extract, the bitter substances lie like a protective film on the mucous membrane of the mouth and throat, so that the throat or tonsillitis is effectively treated. The anti-bacterial effect of bearded lichen is especially evident in infections caused by streptococci, staphylococci, tubercle bacilli and gram-positive (turning dark blue in the Gram process) bacteria. Due to its anti-microbial properties, the natural product is also used against filamentous fungi and athlete’s foot. For external and internal use is suitable tincture, which contains usnic acid. This lichen acid, which can now also be produced synthetically, is the main active ingredient of the natural remedy. The extract contains 40 to 50 percent alcohol. Beard lichen preparations are very well tolerated. Side effects and interactions with medications are not known so far. However, users with an alcohol problem and dry alcoholics should not use them, as most beard lichen products contain high-proof alcohol. The same applies to people with liver disorders and children under the age of twelve. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult their doctor before using it.
Health significance, treatment and prevention.
There is hardly any infection that cannot be treated with beard lichen preparations. Used as a tea, the dried and crushed herb helps against cough and hoarseness. Lozenge pastilles also ensure that the throat, which is raw due to cold or flu infection, heals quickly and the bacteria and viruses located in the mucous membrane of the throat are killed. The anti-inflammatory and immune system-strengthening effect of the healing herb is additionally supported by the vitamin C contained in the lichen. Applied externally, it disinfects the open wound, promotes the wound healing process and the formation of new tissue. In this process, usnic acid also acts together with vitamin C. It also prevents gangrene caused by the penetration of pathogens into the open skin area. This is how Native Americans treated their wounded warriors. With the help of beard lichen tincture abscesses and boils are cured. Consumed as a tea, the natural remedy helps with stomach and intestinal disorders and problems with the gall bladder. Used in the form of a drinking cure over a long period of time, the patient can thoroughly cleanse his body of toxins stored in body fat.Heavy metals, degradation products of stimulants, pesticides contained in food and other harmful substances are eliminated, helping to improve the patient’s health. Skin damage caused by too much UV light (sunburn) can also be cured with a beard bath or a poultice with tincture. Against acne and impure skin, as well as skin inflammation caused by scratched pimples, the ancient natural remedy is also very effective to use. For this purpose, the patient applies 4 to 5 ml of the tincture to the affected area 3 times a day. In the case of extensive injuries, a sterile gauze bandage moistened with a little tincture and placed on the wound also helps. Since usnic acid is extremely gentle on the skin despite its strong anti-septic effect, the user does not have to dilute the tincture with water first. Homeopathy uses Usnea barbata as a mother tincture. It is available in bottles of 10, 20, 30, 50, 100 and 125 ml. In case of acute symptoms, the patient takes 5 drops of the urine tincture every half an hour or hourly and leaves it to act in the mouth for some time. However, applications of this kind should not be made for more than a week, unless the naturopath advocates an even longer therapy. Otherwise, the mother tincture is taken half an hour before or after meals possibly also with some water.
