Usnea species
Synonym(s)
DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.
Usnea species is a drug that is used as a herbal medicine and is used to treat inflammation of the mucous membranes. Usnea species is obtained from the dried thallus (the multicellular vegetative body of plants and fungi that is not divided into stem, root and leaf; fungi with a thallus include mosses, algae and seaweed).
IngredientsThis section has been translated automatically.
Usnea species contains lichen acids (e.g. usnic acid, usnaric acid, thamolic acid); also lichenin.
EffectsThis section has been translated automatically.
Usnea species has antimicrobial and immunomodulating effects. The mechanism of action here is based on the principles of classical germ inhibition.
Field of application/useThis section has been translated automatically.
Usnea species is used for light inflammation of the mucous membranes in the mouth and throat. The drug is also used as an expectorant and for local therapy of skin ulcers.
DosageThis section has been translated automatically.
As lozenges 3 to 6 x /day one tablet.
Undesirable effectsThis section has been translated automatically.
There are no known adverse effects.
InteractionsThis section has been translated automatically.
There are no known interactions with other drugs and their ingredients.
LiteratureThis section has been translated automatically.
- Oran S et al (2016) Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Potential, and HPLC Analysis of Stictic and Usnic Acids of Three Usnea Species from Uludag Mountain (Bursa, Turkey). Iran J Pharm Res 15:527-535.
- Schilcher H (2016) Leitfaden Phytotherapie, Urban & Fischer Verlag Munich, p. 68 f.
- Tozatti MG et al (2016) Activity of the Lichen Usnea steineri and its Major Metabolites against Gram-positive, Multidrug-resistant Bacteria. Nat Prod Commun 11:493-496.
- Zugic A et al (2016) Evaluation of Anticancer and Antioxidant Activity of a Commercially Available CO2 Supercritical Extract of Old Man's Beard (Usnea barbata). PLoS One 11:e0146342.