Wholesale Usnea

01.
A Bit of Botany

a little botanical information on usnea

description
Usnea barbata is a lichen in the Parmeliaceae family. Usnea generally grows hanging from tree branches, and resembles massess of grey or greenish hair. Like other lichens it is a symbiosis of a fungus and an alga. The fungus belongs to the division Ascomycota, while the alga is a member of the division Chlorophyta. Usnea has a very similar visual appearance to Spanish moss—so much so that the latter plant's Latin name is derived from it. Tillandsia usneoides means the "Usnea-like Tillandsia". Usnea is very sensitive to air pollution, especially sulfur dioxide. In poor conditions the plants may grow no larger than a few millimeters, if they survive at all. However in unpolluted environs, they can grow to lengths of 10-20 cm.

common names & nomenclature
Since usnea lichen grows in hanging clumps from tree branches and resemble grey or greenish hair—its common name monikers like Old Man’s Beard and others often invoke this resemblance.

Also known as:
usnea lichen, old man's beard, beard lichen, tree's dandruff, woman's long hair, tree moss

02.
Where in the World

habitat and range for usnea

Usnea grows all over the world, most commonly found in the Pacific Northwest which provides most of the nation's supply.

03.
Cultivation & Harvesting

considerations of the growth and harvesting of usnea

climate
Usnea can be found growing on older trees in cool, damp forests. Like other lichens, Usnea often grows on sick or dying trees. The pre-existing loss of canopy leaves characteristic of these older or sickly trees allows for greater photosynthesis by the lichen's algae. Because of this preference some gardeners mistakenly reverse cause and effect and blame the lichen for the tree's leaf loss and illness.

soil
As a fruticose lichen, Usnea appears as a shrub-like growth on host trees. Does not grow well in polluted air.

growing
The plant reproduces via vegetative means through fragmentation; asexual means through soredia; or sexual means through ascogonium and spermatogonium.

harvesting
The dried thallus or lichen strands are harvested as needed and dried for later use.

preserving
Store the dried usnea lichen strands in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

04.
The Rest of the Story

Formulas & Recipes

While usnea is not a culinary herb, you can use it to make tinctures and teas.

How to prepare usnea

Usnea is typically used as a tea to prepare tinctures and extracts.

How to make usnea tincture and how to make usnea oil

• Add usnea to a jar
• Add vodka, enough to cover the usnea
• Infuse for about 6 weeks
• Strain and add liquid to a dropper bottle.

How to make usnea tea

• Boil water
• Pour hot water over the usnea
• Steep for 10 minutes
• Serve hot or cold

Health and therapeutic benefits

Usnea (Usnea barbata), commonly known as "Old Man’s Beard," is a unique life form known as a lichen—a symbiotic partnership between a fungus and an alga. Found hanging from the branches of conifer and deciduous trees in clean, unpolluted forests across North America and Europe, it is easily identified by its hair-like, branching structure and a distinctive elastic white core that is revealed when the outer green-grey sheath is gently pulled apart.

In botanical history, usnea has a storied past, with documented use appearing in the records of ancient Chinese, Egyptian, and Greek traditions. The lichen contains a specific compound known as usnic acid, which is concentrated in the outer cortex. Because usnic acid is not highly soluble in water, traditional preparations often focused on creating tinctures or extracts using a combination of alcohol and heat to ensure the botanical's unique constituents were successfully captured.

Historically, usnea was categorized as a "bitter" botanical. In various traditional practices, bitter herbs were used in small amounts to stimulate the sensory experience before meals.

As with any concentrated botanical material, it is essential to consult with a healthcare professional before incorporating usnea into your routine, especially for individuals with specific health considerations or those taking other medications.