Old Man's Beard: Sharing the message of Usnea

The Magic of Usnea

(also known as Old man’s Beard)

Usnea Barbata Lichen

This lichen is pretty special and here’s why:

Usnea may not be your go to when you are feeling a cold or illness coming on but this lichen can pack a powerful punch! It is easily identified and abundant especially in forests that are experiencing disease and death. Which can give us some ideas on how it might be beneficial for us.

There is often a misconception about Usnea killing the trees, but most experts agree that the lichen simply grows well when exposed to full sunlight and there is typically plenty of sunlight on a dead or dying tree’s branches.

Recently, my husband and I hiked into the Weminuche Wilderness Area in Southwest Colorado and into an area where the pines and firs are plagued by beetle kill. It is a sad sight to see as we look across the mountains but as we hiked down into the valley, we found an abundance of Usnea.

An interesting thing to note is that lichens, like Usnea, are sometimes used to determine air quality because they won’t survive in polluted air. So you can be assured that if you are in a forest and see Usnea, you can breathe in deeply!

What does Old Man’s Beard / Usnea lichen help with?

Stephen Harrod Buhner, a well known herbalist and author of Sacred Plant Medicine, has suggested that Usnea supports the overall health of the ecosystem. He shares a dream that he had about Usnea in which the plant shared with him that it’s primary function is to heal the trees, the lung system of the planet.

What are lichens?

Lichens are not parasites. They are actually two organisms living in a symbiotic relationship: a fungus and an algae. A symbiotic relationship is when two organisms live together for mutual benefit. The algae use the sun to photosynthesize (produce food) while the fungus provides the support structure and water and mineral transport system.

In the body, Usnea helps defend against many types of bacteria, including Staph and Strep. They have a special affinity for rebalancing bacterial load and eradicating infection throughout the mucus membranes from the gastrointestinal to lungs to the urinary tract.

I found in my research, that ancient China has used it to treat infections for more than 3,000 years. Usnic acid is extracted from the plant and used as a potent antibiotic. And unlike modern pharmacological antibiotics, it can effectively kill unwanted pathogens without majorly disrupting healthy gut flora.

Usnea, Old Man’s Beard

When I think of Usnea, I think of my grandfather. The sight of this lichen gives me such a sense of comfort. Like having old happy memories swirling around me. A sort of remembrance of who we truly are. Our true nature of being a whole, healthy, loving soul. In meditation with this plant, I got a message that it would support you energetically in times of sadness and uncertainty. Times that many of us are experiencing right now.

Usnea’s medicinal properties can best be abstracted in water and in alcohol. It is one of the ingredients in my Elderberry Elixir as a strong decoction and is available in tincture form. Both can be purchased from CedarRidgeBotanicals.com. I also like to use it in my bath to soothe the physical, mental and energetic body.

Learn More about our plant medicines at CedarRidgeBotanicals.com

In closing, I share a poem by Stephen Harrod Buhner in his book Sacred Plant Medicine

Grandfather Usnea

You stride from the North

With long legs

I call on you

In behalf of all beings

Requesting your teachings

Remind us of the

Interconnectedness of all things

Speak to us of the ancient pact

Between yourself and the trees

And bring us your healing power