Molly Taylor, NEC Intern
Usnea, commonly known as Old Man’s Beard, is a genus of fruticose lichen. Lichens consist of a fungus and a photosynthesizing partner such as algae or cyanobacteria living together in a symbiotic relationship. A fruticose lichen is a form of lichen fungi that is characterized by a coral-like shrubby or bushy growth structure. These hairy-looking lichens grow in tufts from a single point on tree branches. They are greyish-green in color, and can hang from the trees up to 3 meters long or more.
Usnea is a lichen that grows worldwide on the bark of alive and dead trees, usually conifers, but can also be found on oak, hickory, walnut, and apple trees. In Humboldt, Usnea grows abundantly on the Douglas Firs. Usnea is not considered to be parasitic, because it does not harm the tree it grows on or gain any nutrients from the tree. The lichen just uses the tree as a convenient place to hang on and to photosynthesize. Usnea grows incredibly slowly; less than 1mm every decade. They often outlive the trees they grow on. If you see an Usnea that’s 5” long, it’s around 200 years old! Usnea is also an indicator of clean air, so if you see lots of it growing in the forest, take a deep breath and enjoy.
The best way to positively identify Usnea is to gently pull on a stand. You will find it a bit elastic, and when it finally comes apart, you will see a fine cord about the width of a hair running up the middle of each stem(red arrow points to this part) When foraging for usnea, its best to gather what has already fallen to the forest floor. Because they grow so slowly, they are at risk for being overharvested.
Usnea isn’t technically edible, it isn’t particularly tasty and can cause stomach problems when it isn’t consumed properly. It’s best known for its medicinal benefits, and has powerful immune boosting, antibiotic, antifungal, and antiviral properties. Traditionally, Usnea has been used to soothe sore throats and alleviate symptoms of respiratory condition, such as coughs and congestions. This lichen has a mucilaginous nature, which provides a soothing effect on irritated mucous membrane, helping to relieve discomfort and help encourage healing. The best way to get the respiratory and immune benefits from usnea is to make a tincture. It can also be made into a tea, but it can be very bitter and not too pleasant. Usena helps prevent infection and is a great wound healer. It can be made into a poultice and applied directly to a wound, which is good to know when out hiking.
My immune system has really taken a hit this cold & flu season, so I just made an Usnea tincture to receive the immune boosting properties! I went out foraging in a local community forest for some Usnea and gathered about a handful from the forest floor. Here’s the folk method recipe I followed:
Usnea Tincture
- Fill a jar of your chosen size with usnea
- Fill the jar with 100 proof vodka, making sure the alcohol covers the plant material
- Label you jar with the date and contents and cover with lid
- Let you tincture sit in a cool dark place for 6 weeks
Dosage: 1-2 dropper full (25-50) up to every 2 hours for acute situations – and 1-2 times a day for non-acute situations
Once your tincture is ready, you can also turn it into a herbal throat spray to help with a sore throat!
DIY Herbal Throat Spray Recipe
- 2 tablespoons total of usnea tincture(s)
- 2 tablespoon raw honey (or vegetable glycerine)
- 1 tablespoon warm water
- 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract