Lichen islandicus

Lichen Islandicus, also known as Iceland moss , is a drug used in herbal medicinal products for the treatment of irritation of the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat or loss of appetite.

HMPC monograph: Traditional-use: irritation of the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat, dry irritating cough, intermittent loss of appetite
ESCOP monograph: dry cough, inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat.
Commission e-monograph: irritation of the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat, dry irritating cough; loss of appetite.

Empirical medicine: Roborans to stimulate appetite during convalescence; lung complaints with sputum-promoting, cough-irritant effect. Also for kidney and bladder problems. External: Poorly healing wounds.

Lichen Islandicus contains about 50 % of water-soluble mucilage, whose main components are lichenin and its isoform isolichenin. Further ingredients are usnic acid and bitter-tasting lichen acids such as cetraric acid and fumarprotocetraric acid.

Lichen Islandicus has soothing appetite stimulating, weak antimicrobial, antiphlogistic and immunomodulating effects

Icelandic moss is used to treat irritation of the mucous membranes in the mouth and throat or loss of appetite. Isla junior® preparations are available for children from the age of 4 for cold-related throat and swallowing problems.

The daily dose of the drug is between 4 and 6 g, depending on the preparation. The drug is taken in the form of infusions or pastilles.

No undesirable effects are known.

Due to lack of data, do not use during pregnancy or lactation and do not use in children under 18 years of age.

There are no known interactions with other active ingredients.

1. Harmens H (2010) Heavy metal and nitrogen concentrations in mosses are declining across Europe whilst some "hotspots" remain in 2010. Environ Pollut 200:93-104.
2. Schilcher H (ed.) in, Leitfaden Phytotherapie, Urban & Fischer Verlag (2016) Munich, p. 166 f.
3. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/islaendisches-moos.php
4. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-cetraria-islandica-l-acharius-sl-thallus-first-version_en.pdf
5. Wenigmann M. (2017) Phytotherapy medicinal drugs, phytopharmaceuticals, application. Urban & Fischer, pp. 133-134
6. Blaschek W (2015) Wichtl tea drugs and phytopharmaceuticals. A handbook for practice. Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft Munich. S 375-377