> Supplement Index > Usnea / Usnea barbata / Old man’s beard > Usnea General Information Usnea Uses & Scientific Evidence For Usnea Dosage Information Usnea Safety & Interaction Information Buy Usnea Supplements and Products - - - - - - - - - - - - Back to Top - - - - - - - - - - - - Usnea General Information Usnea, also known as old man’s beard, is a lichen and is used medicinally. Usnea looks like long, fuzzy strings hanging from trees in the forests of North America and Europe, where it grows. Throughout history, herbalists have used Usnea to treat indigestion. The usnic acid in Usnea gives it a bitter taste. - - - - - - - - - - - - Back to Top - - - - - - - - - - - - Usnea Uses & Scientific Evidence For Usnea contains mucilage which is helpful in easing irritating coughs. It is also used to treat colds, sore throats, and infections. This lichen has also been tested for use as an antibiotic and in test tube studies have suggested anti-cancer activity for usnic acid, but at this time the results do not warrant further investigation in humans. - - - - - - - - - - - - Back to Top - - - - - - - - - - - - Usnea Dosage Information The standard dosage of Usnea is 100 mg 3 times per day in capsule form. If using a tincture, 3–4 ml 3 times per day, can also be used. - - - - - - - - - - - - Back to Top - - - - - - - - - - - - Usnea Safety & Interaction Information There are no known side effects or drug interactions with Usnea and it is considered safe for use in children; however, the safety of Usnea during pregnancy and nursing is not known. - - - - - - - - - - - - Back to Top - - - - - - - - - - - Buy Usnea Supplements and Products Below