Iceland moss

Isländisches Moos · (Cetraria islandica)

Parmeliaceae (a lichen family) (Parmeliaceae)

Description

Iceland moss (Cetraria islandica), also called Iceland lichen, is - despite its name - not a moss but a lichen: a symbiotic dual organism formed by a fungus and an embedded green alga. It develops an erect to semi-erect, shrubby body (thallus) 4 to 12 cm tall, made of channelled, leaf-like, repeatedly forked, leathery bands whose margins are regularly toothed and fringed with short, lash-like projections. Depending on light exposure the colour ranges from greenish-brown through chestnut to dark brown, with a paler, whitish-blotched underside. The species is widespread in the cool-temperate and arctic-alpine regions of the Northern Hemisphere, growing on sandy, acidic soil in heaths, open pine forests, bogs and tundra. As a lichen it accumulates substances from its surroundings and is a sensitive indicator of air quality. The medicinal part is the whole dried thallus (Lichen islandicus or Cetrariae lichen). It is characterised by the combination of abundant water-soluble mucilage polysaccharides (lichenin and isolichenin), which give it its demulcent soothing action, and strongly bitter-tasting lichen acids.

TeaWhole plantInternalTraditional use
Main use (EMA monograph, 'traditional use'): the water-soluble mucilage polysaccharides lichenin and isolichenin form a protective film over the irritated mucous membranes of the mouth and throat, soothing the feeling of irritation and the associated dry irritating cough. This is a traditional use whose plausibility rests on long-standing experience - not a clinically proven ('well-established') effect.
Preparation & dosage
Demulcent (soothing) use: prepare about 1-2 g of finely cut Iceland moss with 150 ml of water, several times a day. For the purely demulcent mucilage effect the thallus is made as a COLD MACERATE (steep for 10-15 minutes in cold water, then warm briefly) - this preserves the soluble mucilage and reduces the bitter taste. If needed, sip warm 3 times daily. The mucilage extract is also made into pastilles and lozenges that should dissolve slowly in the mouth to coat the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat.
Dry amount
1–2 g
Doses per day
3×
⚠ Age restriction: ≥ 6 years — Demulcent use according to the EMA monograph for adults, adolescents and children from 6 years of age. For younger children only after medical advice.
[#src_ema_monograph] [#src_ema_overview] [#src_wikipedia_de]
TeaWhole plantInternalTraditional use
Second EMA-recognised traditional use: for temporary loss of appetite. The bitter lichen acids (including cetraric and fumarprotocetraric acid) act as a bitter tonic (amarum) and reflexively stimulate the digestive juices. This too is a 'traditional use' indication, not a clinically established proof of efficacy.
Preparation & dosage
Appetite-stimulating (bitter) use: pour about 1-2 g of Iceland moss with 150 ml of boiling water as a HOT INFUSION, steep for 10-15 minutes, then strain. Unlike the cold macerate, this deliberately extracts the bitter-tasting lichen acids. Drink a cup of the bitter infusion about half an hour before meals, up to 3 times daily. The bitter stimulus promotes the formation of saliva and gastric juice.
Dry amount
1–2 g
Doses per day
3×
⚠ Age restriction: ≥ 18 years — Use for loss of appetite according to the EMA monograph is for adults only (from 18 years), as the basis of experience for this indication is limited to adults.
[#src_ema_monograph] [#src_ema_overview] [#src_wikipedia_de]

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In your garden, this plant acts as:

Medicinal