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rachael hamblin
Posts: 129
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April 14, 2008, 11:45:46 PM |
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Not exactly an herb, but I just learned that usnea (old man's beard) has a lot of medicinal properties and is also really high in vitamin C. It's great for urinary tract infections and colds, among other things (and makes a tasty tea). Some great information can be found here: http://www.herbalremediesinfo.com/usnea.html
Around Olympia it seems to prefer the branches of birch trees, however it can be found on other trees as well. It grows all over the Cascadia region and probably elsewhere as well.
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jen m
Posts: 21
Jennifer A Moore, Acupuncturist and Chinese Herbs
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April 17, 2008, 10:26:20 AM |
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there is more than one lichen that looks like USN, it is important to identify the right one. if you gently pull it apart, inside is a stringy white filament- like a tiny piece of elastic. if it doesn't have this, it isn't USN. i don't think the other is poisonous, but to get the medicinal properties, you need USN. it's a good antifungal & good for lung stuff, it is sort of like the 'lungs of the forest' and that is what it does for us, as well, cleans/strengthens the respiratory system. this plant, it wants to be harvested with respect- ask first (the plant, not the USFS). and pick it up from the ground, sicks laying on the ground, not off trees.
i have seen one warning about possible negative effects of usneaic acid, but i looked into it a good deal and determined that it is most likely safe, but probably shouldn't be used long term or in large doses. as with all things, moderation. there are also a lot of ideas of how it is or is not processed to be effective.
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"a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." -Tao Te Ching by Lao Tsu
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rachael hamblin
Posts: 129
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April 24, 2008, 10:47:38 PM |
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I've heard that all lichen is at least safe to eat unless it is brightly colored, in which case do some research first.
That's the first I've heard about possible negative effects, that's good to know. What were the effects you heard about? Just so I know what to watch out for--I'm drinking a lot of usnea tea lately, probably fine but might as well find out what trouble would look like.
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rachael hamblin
Posts: 129
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April 24, 2008, 10:55:40 PM |
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Also, is harvest from trees bad for the lichen or does it grow back?
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jen m
Posts: 21
Jennifer A Moore, Acupuncturist and Chinese Herbs
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May 24, 2008, 09:30:10 PM |
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i usually harvest usnea by picking it up off the ground or picking up and taking home sticks that it is growing on. i growns on dead wood, and grows very slowly. the people who had problems with usnea were using usneaic acid, which is concentraited, and not the whole plant, but i think it may have been kidney problems. I don't think it's a dangerous herb, just one that you may want to use only when you need it, for lung problems, or to put in a formula to quit smoking.
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"a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." -Tao Te Ching by Lao Tsu
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