Evidence supporting the use of: Lichen
For the health condition: Congestion (lungs)

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Synopsis

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

Lichens have a long history of use in traditional medicine, particularly in Europe, Asia, and North America. Species such as Usnea (Old Man’s Beard) and Iceland moss (Cetraria islandica) have been traditionally employed to address respiratory ailments, including lung congestion, coughs, and bronchitis. Historical texts and ethnobotanical reports note that lichens were often prepared as teas, syrups, or lozenges to soothe irritated respiratory passages and reduce symptoms of congestion. The rationale for their use was based on their mucilaginous (gel-forming) properties, which could help coat the throat and airways, providing a demulcent effect.

However, scientific validation for these effects remains limited. Some in vitro studies have detected antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory compounds in lichens, but there is little direct clinical research examining their efficacy for lung congestion in humans. The evidence supporting their use is therefore grounded more in tradition and historical practice than in modern clinical trials. As such, while lichens are still occasionally found in herbal remedies for respiratory issues, their use for lung congestion should be considered traditional and evidence rated as modest (2 out of 5) due to the lack of robust scientific studies.

More about lichen
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Other ingredients used for Congestion (lungs)

Abies spectabilis
Aconite
Adenophora
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Alantolactone
Allicin
Allium tuberosum
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Allyl isothiocyanate
Aloe vera
alpha-pinene
alpinia galangal
ambergris
Amor seco
andrographolide
Angelica
anise
Ardisia
Arisaema
asafoetida
Asarum heterotropoides
Asarum sieboldii
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atractylodes
atractylone
Baccharoides anthelmintica
bael
Baikal Skullcap
balloon flower
balsam
Baphicacanthus cusia
Barleria
basil
bayleaf
bee hive
bee products
Belamcanda
benegut perilla (proprietary)
berry
beta-pinene
Bidens pilosa
bisabolene
bishop\'s weed
bitter grass
black cumin
black currant
black pepper
black salt
black seed
blackboard tree
Blepharis
Bombax
boneset
borage
borneol
Boswellia
Boswellic Acid
Buddha\'s hand
Bupleurum
bupleurum falcatum
bасора
cajuput
calamus
Camellia sinensis
capsaicinoids
capsicum
cardamom
Carthamus
cayenne pepper
chamomile
chen pi
Chinese raisintree
Chinese salvia root
Chinese silkvine
Chondrus
chrysanthemum
cineole
cinnamaldehyde
Cistus
Citrus
Clerodendrum trichotomum
clove
coltsfoot
Coptis chinensis
cowherb
culvers Root
curcumen
curry leaf
diterpenes
dragonhead
Echinacea
echinacea purpurea
Eclipta
Elder
elderberry
elecampane
Ephedra
ephedrine
essential oil blend
eucalyptus
European Elder
European five-finger grass
Evodia
fang-feng
fat liver oil
ferula assafoetida
flavoglycosides
forsythia
frankincense
fritillaria
Galangal
Gallesia
gamma-terpinene
Gardenia jasminoides
garlic bulb
ginger
Glycyrrhetinic acid
Gnaphalium
grape
green tea
Guaco
Heartsease
Hedyotis
Helicteres isora
honey
horehound
Horsemint
horseradish
Houttuynia
hyssop
Indian frankincense
Indian tinospora
inula racemosa
Isatis
Ivy
jungli-bean
juniper berries
Khella
labrador tea
Laggera pterodonta
Ledebouriella
lemongrass
lichen
licorice root
Ligusticum
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limonene
Litsea
Lomatium
long pepper
lovage
lungwort
malabar nut
mallow
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mustard seed
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onion
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oregano
oriental arborvitae
Oroxylum indicum
Orris
Osha
Paris polyphylla
Pepper
perilla
Peucedanum
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phellodendron amurense
phenolic compounds
Pinellia ternata
Piper nigrum
Piper retrofractum
Platycodon
platycodon root
Pluchea
Polygonum
pomegranate
prepared aconite tuber
Pyrrosia
quercetin
ravinsara
rosemary
Rubiaceae
Sagebrush
Sambucus nigra
Sandalwood
scrophularia root
Servicetree
Sesquiterpenes
shiitake mushroom
Sichuan Lovage
Sichuan pepper
siler root
Smartweed
Solanum indicum
Sophora
spearmint leaf
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spruce
squawvine
Stereospermum
Sulfated polysaccharide
Sundew
sweet flag
Szechuan lovage
Tamaricaceae
Tayuya
Terpinolene
thyme
Thymus
Trichosanthes
turmeric
Vasicine
Vasicinone
Vervain
Viola
Violet
Visnea Mocanera
vitamin C
Vladimiria souliei
Winter Savory
Wulinshen
Yellow root
Yerba buena
Yerba santa
zanthoxylum
Zedoary
Zingerone
Zingiberene

Products containing lichen

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