Evidence supporting the use of: Lichen
For the health condition: Influenza

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Lichens have a long history of use in traditional medicine systems across various cultures for treating respiratory ailments, including symptoms associated with influenza such as cough, sore throat, and fever. Species such as Usnea (commonly known as "Old Man's Beard") and Cetraria islandica (Iceland moss) have been used in European and Asian herbal traditions for their purported soothing, antimicrobial, and immunomodulatory effects. However, the use of lichens specifically for influenza is rooted primarily in folklore and empirical, historical practices rather than robust scientific research.

Scientific studies investigating the antiviral properties of lichens are limited and largely preliminary. Some in vitro research has identified various lichen metabolites (such as usnic acid) with antimicrobial or weak antiviral effects, but clinical trials demonstrating efficacy against influenza viruses in humans are lacking. The evidence for lichen use against influenza, therefore, is based mainly on traditional use rather than validated pharmacological data. As such, while lichens are historically used to support respiratory health, there is insufficient scientific evidence to recommend them as an effective treatment or preventive measure for influenza.

More about lichen
More about Influenza

Other ingredients used for Influenza

green chiretta
astragalus
Myrobalan
benegut perilla (proprietary)
black garlic
black pepper
Indian frankincense
bupleurum falcatum
camu camu
catechins
caterpillar mushroom
chaga mushroom
Coptis chinensis
cordyceps
turmeric
dog rose
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
ginger
glehnia root
goldenseal
gooseberry
Greek mountain tea
green tea
honeysuckle
L-cysteine
Lactobacillus casei
Lactoferrin
Lactoperoxidase
Lentinula edodes mycelia
licorice root
Monolaurin
Nettle
quercetin
reishi mushroom
selenium
spirulina
sweet wormwood
vitamin C
vitamin D
zhejiang fritillary
Zinc
boneset
tangerine
alpinia galangal
Myrrh
Yerba santa
chrysanthemum
flowering quince
ganoderma
anemarrhena asphodeloides
eucalyptus
Abies spectabilis
Algae
avens
Agarikon Mushroom
apple cider vinegar
Agastache
Anamarrhena
Acacia
Agrimony
Allicin
anamu
AHCC
andrographolide
American Liverleaf
astragaloside
Andrographis
Alstonia scholaris
Adenophora
Alliin
Asarum sieboldii
bee propolis
black seed
Baikal Skullcap
Bryonia
balsam
Basidiomycota
borage
Bupleurum
baicalin
Black Hellebore
balloon flower
Clerodendrum trichotomum
coconut oil
coriolus mushroom
Clerodendrum phlomidis
carvacrol
cineole
Centipeda
Cistus
Chaenomeles lagenaria
currant
Chondrus
Ephedra
European Elder
elk antler
Echinacea
Elder
Euphorbia
Embelia
fat liver oil
flavanones
frankincense
flavones
Glehnia littoralis
Guaco
Gallesia
Glycyrrhizin
Hyperoside
Houttuynia
honey loquat syrup
Immunoglobulin G
iridoids
Lycium
Ledebouriella
Lomatium
lichen
Lycopodium
labrador tea
little ironweed
liverwort
Meadow sage
Microtea debilis
Neoandrographolides
Onosma bracteatum
Osthole
Premna
Platycodon
Pelargonium
Pentatropis capensis
Polygonatum
Polygonum
ravinsara
Sweet Annie
Salvia
Sambucus nigra
Sulfated polysaccharide
Shikimic Acid
Sweet Bay
Sundew
Tremella
Umckaloabo
Visnea Mocanera
Vasicine
Xanthophyll
Zingerone

Products containing lichen

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