From The Forest

8 oz. glass syrup bottle. (Usnea sp. and Balsamorhiza sagittata). Made from equal amounts of Usnea and Arrowleaf Balsamroot tinctures to which 1/3 volume of simple syrup has been added to make the mixture more palatable to children.

Arrowleaf Balsamroot usually grows in large stands on hillsides. It has long, basal, silvery-green leaves shaped like arrowheads. Early spring blooming sunflowers are bright yellow and extend past the leaves on long stems. The root of Arrowleaf Balsamroot can be quite large--weighing up to 30 pounds. When broken or bruised, the massive, bark-covered root exudes a sticky, fragrant sap.

Adaptogen – As an Adaptogen, take 1 tsp. tincture of the root twice daily for six weeks.

Antibacterial – A tincture of the root may be applied to infections and hard to heal wounds. A tincture of the root and bark may be used internally or externally for bacterial problems. For internal use take one teaspoon tincture three times daily.

Antifungal – Make a liniment from the pounded root and bark by infusing it in rubbing alcohol. Apply to athlete's foot and other fungal outbreaks.

Immune Stimulant – Use the tincture as you would Echinacea, taking one teaspoon twice daily to strengthen the immune system.

Usnea is recommended by herbalists and naturopathic doctors for acute and chronic lung infections, such as pleurisy, pneumonia, colds and flu, and as an adjunct to tuberculosis (TB) treatment Usnic acid, the constituent of the Usnea species that has been studied most extensively, inhibits gram-positive bacteria such as streptococcus, staphylococcus, and mycobacteria. The organism Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major cause of bacterial pneumonia in children, and a related organism, Streptococcus pyogenes, is responsible for the clinical condition pharyngitis, which is commonly referred to as strep throat.

The lichen also helps the body to resist and kill unwanted organisms such as bacteria, virus, fungus and parasites. The properties are often referred to in a more specific way using the terms anti-bacterial, anti-biotic and anti-fungal. Usnea appears to kill bacteria by disrupting their metabolic function. Specifically, it uncouples oxidative phosphorylation by acting on the inner mitochondrial membrane and also has ATP-ase activity. Both of these mechanisms ultimately kill bacterial cells by cutting off their energy supply. Unlike bacterial cells, human cells are less permeable to usnic acid and are not adversely affected.

Usnea Constituents: Usnic acid, mucilage.