Usnea - Dried Herb (Lichen)

A multi-faceted herbal ally, steeped in tradition across the globe. Usnea is often referred to as the Boreal forest's natural antibiotic. Usnea possesses the following traditional uses, which are still used to this day by clinical herbalists: 
Antimicrobial - particularly indicated for respiratory infections, gastro-intestinal infections, UTI
Immunostimulant* & Antiviral
Do not use immuno-stimulating herbs if you have an autoimmune condition
Antipyretic, Analgesic - to break or lower fever and reduce inflammatory pain associated with fever
Soothing expectorant - to soothe irritated respiratory tissues, support cough reflex, drain damp coughs
Antifungal - use topically
 
APPLICATIONS BASED ON TRADITIONAL USE 
Use dried in tea - drink or apply topically, gargle for sore throat. When drinking, start with just a small pinch, about the volume that would fit in an average storebought tea bag.
Tincture (best done using the hot alcohol method - research carefully)
Make an ointment using dried material, or apply dried powder directly to fungal infections and wounds
Use as a dye plant
 
ETHICAL HARVEST 
Lichens as a whole grow very, very slowly. There is variation amongst different species, but usnea is no exception. It takes several years of good growing conditions to reach a noticeable size. For this reason, and because lichens are extremely beneficial for the ecosystems they are found in, only fallen clumps that have been recently blown out of trees are harvested. Usnea that is growing on a live or standing tree is never harvested. 
The best time to look for freshly fallen usnea is after high winds or rain, and to only harvest what you need. 
The best quality specimens are collected, while any that have been fallen on the ground for too long are left in their final resting place to decompose and return their nutrients to the forest floor. 

Harvesting usnea is a time intensive process, but thankfully a little bit goes a long way.
 
CLINICAL STUDIES
After its isolation in 1844, usnic acid is now the most intensively studied lichen metabolite, and is understood to be largely responsible for usnea’s anti-inflammatory, pain relieving, wound healing, anti-biotic, anti-protozoal, anti-viral, anti-tumor, anti-oxidant, and larvicidal properties. Various studies have also shown usnea to possess reliable anti-fungal action.
Most usnea species have a strong effect against gram positive bacteria strains, but not always gram negative.
LINKS TO STUDIES: 
Usnea sp.: Antimicrobial potential, bioactive compounds, ethnopharmacological uses and other pharmacological properties; a review article
Elemental Analysis and In Vitro Evaluation of Antibacterial and Antifungal Activities of Usnea barbata (L.) Weber ex F.H. Wigg from Călimani Mountains, Romania
Assessment of the Antibacterial Potency of Usnea sp. against Foodborne Pathogens
GOOGLE SCHOLAR LIST OF PAPERS STUDYING USNEA
 
FUN FACTS 
Lichens are an organism created through symbiotic relationship between a fungi and an algae.
There are hundreds of usnea species worldwide, most of which are medicinally interchangable. The species most common to our bioregion are Usnea longissima and Usnea cavernosa.
Usnea is a dye plant that produces a beautiful earthy rust color. It has been used in history as a dye for traditional Scottish tweed.
Usnea species are an indicator of clean, pure air quality as they do not tolerate pollution. Identify usnea from other lichen species by slowly pulling apart a piece between your fingers - you will see a white elastic inner cord.