Evidence supporting the use of: Usnea
For the body system: Bronchials

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Usnea, commonly known as "old man's beard," is a type of lichen that has been traditionally used in herbal medicine, particularly in Europe, Asia, and North America. Its use to support the bronchial system is primarily based on historical and ethnobotanical practices rather than robust scientific validation. Traditionally, usnea has been employed as a remedy for respiratory conditions such as bronchitis, coughs, and sore throat. Herbalists have valued it for its purported expectorant, antimicrobial, and soothing properties, which were believed to help ease irritation and infection in the respiratory tract. Usnea contains usnic acid, a compound shown in laboratory studies to have antimicrobial activity against some bacteria and fungi, but its effectiveness specifically for bronchial support in humans has not been conclusively demonstrated in clinical trials.

There are limited scientific studies evaluating usnea for respiratory health, and most evidence remains anecdotal or based on traditional use. Safety concerns regarding usnic acid, particularly with internal use in large quantities, have also been flagged in some reports. In summary, while usnea enjoys a long history of use for bronchial and respiratory support in herbal traditions, current scientific evidence to justify its efficacy in this context is lacking, meriting a moderate evidence score of 2 out of 5.

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Products containing Usnea

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