MEDICINAL PLANTS

Popularly known this lichen with the name of Iceland moss, but not get confused: botanically it is not, nor moss grows exclusively on the island of northern Europe, can be found in countries where temperatures tend to be below average, being located on land, along with mosses, some thick wooded areas and in some mountain meadows. The very fact that locate in areas where moss grows has led to confusion of the popular name.

FLOWERING

Being a lichen can not speak of flowering as it does not have flowers and reproduce by sporangia. The adult form, with reproductive choices, has a height that does not exceed six inches; their morphology could well be likened to a small arbustillo, as the bottom becomes narrower as we approach the substrate, and found similar formations with rootlets that hold it together on the ground. The collection of the adult form can be done throughout the year by making a brief drying in the sun, although it can make the process sheltered from the sun, in which case it is much slower.

APPLICATIONS

Cetraro acid content makes it a particularly useful in processes that occur with emesis or vomiting is also useful as an appetizer to be a good tonic bitter, so it can be used in cases of anorexia. It contains large quantities of mucilage, which gives emollient, antitussive and diuretic. It also contains acid and poliquéstrico Ursic, substances responsible for its antibiotic activity. For all components together in this lichen, is especially useful in catarrhal processes, laryngitis, pharyngitis ... Its use is contraindicated in persons specially sensitized to this lichen or those with gastroduodenal ulcer process.

ADMINISTRATION

Infusion. Quince gramos del talo se añaden a un litro de agua hervida con anterioridad y que permanezca aún caliente, dejándolo en contacto durante diez minutos; se puede emplear en casos de anorexia o como aperitivo.
Gelatin. With its high content of mucilage can be prepared a gel with 50 grams of thallus, to take over the day.
Doble decocción. It is used to remove bitter substances responsible for the action aperitif, it comes to a boil in a quantity talo-fifteen-grams in a liter of water for one minute, then thoroughly washed, water is removed and replaced by new water in a number of pints for half an hour. En casos de gastroenteritis y pectoral se pueden tomar tres tazas al día.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Estictaceas
HABITAT: Above ground and thickets of the mountains
FLOWERING: None
PART USED: Stem
CATALAN: Liquen d´Islàndia
GALICIAN: Musgo-da-Islandia

USES

Strong antibiotic, Diuretic Moderate, Antitussive Moderate.