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Usnea barbata (Old Man's Beard) is a lichen traditionally used in herbal medicine, especially for respiratory infections.
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Tincture Quality: Extracted with organic cane alcohol and organic glycerin, avoiding common non-organic or GMO-based alcohols to ensure potency and purity.
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Active Components:
- Contains antimicrobial, antioxidant, and polyphenolic compounds.
- Main component usnic acid has strong antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-candida effects.
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Health Benefits:
- Effective against strep, staph, mycobacteria, and some drug-resistant bacteria.
- Used for infections in the throat, respiratory tract, mouth, skin, and urinary tract.
- Approved in Germany for treating oral and pharyngeal inflammation; commonly used for colds, influenza, and pneumonia.
- Has historical uses for treating ailments like tuberculosis, pain, fever, wounds, athlete’s foot, and skin lesions.
- Known to inhibit biofilm formation and quorum sensing in bacteria.
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Traditional Uses:
- First documented in Traditional Chinese Medicine (101 B.C.) as an antimicrobial agent.
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Dosage:
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Adults: 10-30 drops, 3 times per day.
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Children: Dosed by weight (e.g., 5-8 drops for 75 lbs, 3-5 drops for 25 lbs), up to two weeks with a break due to potency.
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Precautions:
- Consult a physician during pregnancy or nursing due to its strong effects.
References: For additional studies and historical references, see works by Buhner, Behera, Cabrera, Blumenthal, Ash, Ingolfsdottir, and others detailing Usnea’s medicinal properties.
