Usnea is not a plant, but is actually a lichen, which is a combination of algae and fungi functioning as a single organism. This lichen grows on old trees in cool, damp forests, most commonly in the Pacific Northwest which provides most of the nation’s supply. Usnea is abundant throughout most parts of the Northwest. The various species of usnea are hard to distinguish but have equivalent uses. As such Mountain Rose Herbs cannot guarantee that each batch of usnea we offer will be of an exact single species, rather it will consist of numerous species of the usnea family.
Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for more than 2,000 years, usnea has an additional long history of use in western botanical medicine. Considered energetically cooling and drying, usnea was used in traditional folk herbalism for its wellness-supporting qualities. With its special affinity for the respiratory and urinary systems usnea can be used topically, steeped as tea, or extracted.
Our usnea tincture is made with dried lichen and organic alcohol at our extract facility. This revered extract has an astringent, bitter, and sweet flavor. It can be taken in water or juice or added to herbal teas such as echinacea & elder tea or dawn chorus tea. Usnea extract blends well with others including echinacea root, elder berry, or reishi extracts.
Ingredients
Organic alcohol, water, and dried usnea lichen.
Packaging & Shipping
• 1 oz., 2 oz., and 4 oz. extracts come in amber glass bottles with a dropper.
• 8 oz. size comes in an amber glass bottle with a plastic screw cap and does not include a dropper.
• 32 oz. extracts come in plastic bottles with a plastic screw cap.
Precautions
No known precautions. We recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.
This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. For educational purposes only.
