Evidence supporting the use of: Lichen
For the health condition: Fungal Infections

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Synopsis

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

Lichens have a long history of use in traditional medicine across various cultures, including those in Europe, Asia, and North America. Historically, certain lichens, such as Usnea (commonly called "old man's beard"), have been used topically and sometimes internally to treat wounds, skin conditions, and presumed fungal infections. Ethnobotanical records suggest that their use was based primarily on observation of their antimicrobial effects, likely due to the presence of secondary metabolites like usnic acid, which has demonstrated some antifungal activity in laboratory studies.

However, while in vitro research has shown that extracts from various lichens can inhibit fungal growth, these findings have not been robustly translated into clinical use or validated in human studies. The evidence remains largely preclinical, and there is limited documentation of lichen preparations being used as standardized antifungal treatments in modern medicine. Therefore, the use of lichens for fungal infections is primarily justified by traditional usage, rather than strong scientific validation. As such, the evidence supporting their efficacy for this purpose is modest (rated 2/5), reflecting anecdotal and historical practices rather than rigorous clinical research.

More about lichen
More about Fungal Infections

Other ingredients used for Fungal Infections

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Allium tuberosum
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Allyl sulfide
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alpha-pinene
alpha-terpineol
Ampelopsis
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basil
bee hive
bee propolis
benzyl isothiocyanate
beta-pinene
bisabolene
black nightshade
black walnut
borneol
Brazilian peppertree
Caesalpinia crista
cajuput
Calendula
camphor oil
caprylic acid
carvacrol
caryophyllene
Centipeda
chalcone
chamomile
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cinnamon
citral
citronella
coconut oil
commiphora
copaiba oil
curry leaf
Dianthus
eucalyptus
eugenol
Euphorbia
gamma-terpinene
garlic
geranial
geraniol
geranium
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Gnaphalium
goldenseal
green tea
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Houttuynia
Indian fagonia
jojoba oil
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Laggera pterodonta
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lauric acid
Lebbek
lemongrass
Leptospermum scoparium
lichen
linalool
Litsea
liverwort
lodhtree
Macaranga indica
Mahonia
mangostin
marigold
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melaleuca alternifolia
Melia
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Monolaurin
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Naphthoquinones
Neem tree
nut grass
Onosma bracteatum
oregano
oregon grape
oriental arborvitae
Oroxylum indicum
pau d'arco
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phenolic compounds
phlorotannins
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Products containing lichen

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.