Synopsis

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

Lichens have a long history of use in traditional medicine across various cultures, including European, Asian, and Indigenous systems. For external bleeding, certain lichen species—such as Usnea (old man's beard), Cetraria islandica (Iceland moss), and Lobaria pulmonaria—have been applied topically to wounds to help staunch bleeding. Historical texts and ethnobotanical surveys indicate that dried lichen material was sometimes used as a wound dressing, attributed to both its absorptive properties and mild antimicrobial effects. The tradition appears widely in folk medicine, particularly in regions where lichens were readily available and other materials scarce.

Scientific validation of this use is limited. Some lichens produce secondary metabolites (e.g., usnic acid) with mild antimicrobial or anti-inflammatory properties, which could theoretically assist in wound healing. However, there is minimal direct scientific evidence or clinical research specifically supporting the use of lichen for hemostasis (stopping bleeding). Modern wound care does not use lichens for this purpose, and their hemostatic effect appears to be derived more from physical properties (absorption) than from any active pharmacological mechanism. Thus, the use of lichens for external bleeding is best classified as traditional, with weak supporting evidence from scientific literature.

More about Lichen (unspecified)
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Other ingredients used for Bleeding (external)

Other health conditions supported by Lichen (unspecified)

Products containing Lichen (unspecified)