Moss (Bryophyta spp.)
Synopsis
"Moss" refers broadly to small, non-vascular plants in the division Bryophyta, which includes thousands of species such as Sphagnum (peat moss), Polytrichum, and Bryum. These plants thrive in damp, shaded environments and reproduce via spores rather than seeds. While moss is not commonly used in mainstream herbal medicine today, it has a long if lesser-known, tradition of folk medicinal use, particularly in East Asia and among Indigenous cultures in the Northern Hemisphere. Some types of moss have shown antibacterial, antifungal, and absorbent properties, and select species have also demonstrated antioxidant and cytotoxic activity in early pharmacological studies.
Moss is primarily recognized for its external applications—as a wound dressing, absorbent material, and protective covering—rather than internal use. However, some species, especially Sphagnum, contain phenolic compounds and sphagnan, a type of polymer with antimicrobial and antiseptic properties. Others, like Bryum argenteum, have been studied for their potential use in respiratory and liver support, though human clinical evidence remains limited.
Historical Use:
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, certain mosses have been used under names such as shi xian cao and are considered cooling and detoxifying. These mosses were traditionally used to reduce heat and dampness, particularly in the treatment of liver-related inflammation, respiratory infections, and sore throats. One species, Herpetospermum caudigerum, though not a true moss, is often associated with mosses in traditional formulas and used for liver and gallbladder complaints.
Among Native American tribes and Arctic peoples, Sphagnum moss was highly valued for its absorbent, antimicrobial qualities. It was used as a natural bandage, wound dressing, and even as an improvised diaper material for infants. During World War I, Sphagnum moss was gathered on a large scale in Europe and North America to be used as a sterile wound dressing when cotton was in short supply. Field hospitals appreciated its natural antiseptic quality and its high capacity to retain moisture—properties that are still being explored in modern wound care research.
In European folk medicine, mosses were sometimes steeped into decoctions to treat coughs, ulcers, and kidney conditions, although these practices were less standardized. Iceland moss (Cetraria islandica), which is technically a lichen, was commonly used in herbal preparations for lung ailments, tuberculosis, and digestive issues, and is sometimes mistakenly grouped with true mosses.
Today, mosses are being reevaluated for their pharmacological potential, particularly for topical uses in modern wound care and as bioactive agents in antimicrobial formulations. While they are not widely used in current herbal supplement markets, historical and emerging uses highlight their promise in specific therapeutic niches.
Body Systems
Digestive System (Science)
Lungs (Science)
Mucus Membranes (Science)
Respiratory System (Science)