Old Man S Beard Tea

Usnea has long been used therapeutically in many traditional systems including chinese european and native american herbal medicine.

Old man s beard tea. For wounds use powdered usnea. A product containing zinc sulfate and usnic acid a compound found in usnea is used to improve healing after treatment for a sexually transmitted infection that can lead to genital warts or cancer. Usnea barbata common name. It is easily found in wooded areas growing on trees or on broken tree limbs lying on the ground after a windy day.

Whole lichen dried thallus constituents. Members of the genus are commonly called old man s beard or beard lichen. One of the most important therapeutically active components in usnea is usnic acid which has potent antibiotic properties. Old man s beard is what is called a lichen which is combination fungi and algae.

Lichen acids usnic acid and derivatives diffractaic acid polysaccharides mucilage anthraquinones endocrocin fatty acids oleic linolenic arachadonic all essential amino acids vitamins carotene. 203 the genus is in the family parmeliaceae it grows all over the world. Fill a jar of your choice with fresh usnea. Filed under first aid medical survival.

Like other lichens it is a symbiosis of a fungus. Shtfpreparedness may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. 203 it resembles evernia which is also called tree moss. When being used as an antifungal herb you can apply the herb as a topical remedy.

Medicinal uses of usnea old man s beard. Old man s beard tree lichen family. Then fill the jar again with 100 proof vodka or other alcohol of your preference. Generously smear a gel of the herb onto the affected area.

It is best used as a tincture. It is a greenish grey color and really really looks like an old mans beard. Pack the jar full but not crammed. The methods for preparing and using old man s beard vary depending on how it is available and what it is being used for.