Old Man S Beard Tea Alaska

Usnea also known as old man s beard is a type of lichen that grows on the trees bushes rocks and soil of temperate and humid climates worldwide it has long been used in traditional medicine.
Old man s beard tea alaska. Some of its common names include old man s beard beard lichen beard moss moose moss and tree moss although it is not a moss. It resembles evernia which is also called tree moss. Most importantly you will be steeped in connection to your new herbal ally in the forest. For wounds use powdered usnea.
At the end of the class you will go home with detailed handouts on course material a basket of wild harvested herb and a herbal preparation prepared in class. Many of you probably know that it is a great fire starter but it also has medicinal properties. Usnea oos nay uh or us nay uh is a lichen which is a symbiotic combination of an algae and a fungus. It is easily found in wooded areas growing on trees or on broken tree limbs lying on the ground after a windy day.
You have likely walked past it dozens of times during walks in wooded areas without ever realizing that you were passing one of nature s most miraculous hea. Members of the genus are commonly called old man s beard or beard lichen. Like other lichens it is a symbiosis of a fungus and an alga. Let steep for thirty minutes.
It is a greenish grey color and really really looks like an old mans beard. The methods for preparing and using old man s beard vary depending on how it is available and what it is being used for. Generously smear a gel of the herb onto the affected area. Old man s beard tincture tea and salve will be provided throughout the workshop.
The common names pretty well describe the appearance of usnea. When being used as an antifungal herb you can apply the herb as a topical remedy. Acide usnique barba de capuchino barbe de jupiter barbe de saint antoine beard moss mousse d arbre musgo de los arboles old man s beard sodium usniate tree moss tree s. Old man s beard is what is called a lichen which is combination fungi and algae.
It has been used to kill the bacteria that kill strep and staph.