Cleaning hair-like herb before use (Usnea spp.)

[Lisabeth SeverinStudent]

Hi there,

I’ve been finding a lot of a lichen that looks like Usnea longissima, commonly called old man’s beard, on the ground in my yard this winter. (It’s been a windy winter/spring for us this year). Since usnea longissima is medicinal AND I read that it is scarce in many areas it used to grow, I started picking up the bigger clumps and saving it.

The book Pacific Northwest Medicinal Plants by Scott Kloos, says on page 325 “Gather vibrant and living usnea that have fallen to the ground throughout the wet growing season from early spring to mid summer. Discard discolored, dead portions of the thalli with dried out and cracked outer coverings.”

How would I recognize a discolored thalli? Most of it looks less than vibrant, but it really does looks like an old man’s beard…I’d never describe those as vibrant. It blew off a tree onto the ground…quite possibly NOT still living.

Also, its a bit dusty, so do I wash it before using it to make medicine? A shampoo or just a rinse?

Thanks!

Liz

(and got the “start an herb related post” assignment done, yes! )

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

I would do some research and make sure that what you have is really Usnea. Do you live in an area where it grows? Are there any locals that can confirm what you have?

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

[Lisabeth SeverinStudentTopic Author]

Well, 2 books on Pacific Northwest plants/herbs say it does grow “locally”, and the things I have look like the ones in the pictures, but I don’t know for sure. I can’t say I know anyone here that is interested in that sort of thing yet.

The test to know if its an usnea, if I remember correctly from the book, is to pull on it… there is a white thread-like thing that is more elastic and so you can see it emerge from the greenish outer covering if its fresh enough. The stuff I gathered is all old and dry by now. I’ll have to try it next winter/rainy season since our rains have been really sparse this month. Last year at this time we were still being inundated.

The dried stuff will be added to my compost pile.

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MicheleP

[Amy SmithStudent]

That is the correct way to test it. Congrats on finding some. I’m not in an area the books say it grows but I have found it in multiple places. I find it likes to grow near the creeks in the area where I live in Tennessee. Especially around the creeks in the mountains. I have tinctured some from my area and some from the Blue Ridge Mountains. They look almost identical but could tell the quality from the Blue Ridge Mountains was far superior (probably due to the air quality). I hope to find people in this forum who have experience using it.

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