Foraging Usnea Sustainably (+uses & recipes!)

Learn how to harvest and use Usnea, a gray-green forest lichen with medicinal benefits! Also includes recipes for usnea tincture, infused oil, salve, and wound powder.

fresh usnea and powder and tincture
Harvest local medicine from your woods!

Usnea (Usnea spp), is also called beard lichen, lungs of the forest, or old man’s beard.

It’s considered a cooling, drying herb and is valued for its powerful action against gram positive bacteria (such as strep and staph). It’s also useful for wound care and respiratory system issues.

Identifying Usnea

Usnea is a hanging and hair-like fruticose lichen, a symbiotic organism made of fungus + alga that grows on the bark and limbs of trees.

There are many species, so the exact type will vary depending on where you live, but a key feature to check for is a white stretchy core.

usnea has a white stretchy inner core
Usnea has a white stretchy inner core.

Find a thicker piece of the lichen, then carefully start pulling it apart. If it’s fresh and moist, then you should see what looks like a thin strand of white elastic stretching when you pull. If the usnea is dry, then it may snap, but you’ll still see a white core inside.

Usnea grows from trees in hair-like tufts, some are short, but some can grow very long. It’s often growing alongside other kinds of tree dwelling lichen (crustose – which looks flat-like, and foliose which looks leaf-like). You may even spot some moss in the mix too.

The usnea lichen will be rounded and and hairy looking – not flat or leafy looking.

In our area (zone 7, Appalachian mountains), we mainly find usnea growing in short tufts on wild cherry, oak, and poplar trees, but in other areas it will also grow on conifers, fruit trees such as apple, and other hardwoods such as hickory.

Do not pick usnea directly off of trees though! (More on this below.)

arrows showing the difference between other tree lichens and usnea on a fallen branch
arrows showing the difference between usnea and other tree lichen on a fallen branch

Where to Find

It enjoys moist areas with clean air – we find a fair abundance of usnea around our creek area, deep in the woods and far from roads and other houses/businesses.

Don’t gather from places such as roadsides, since it absorbs pollutants from the air. (Though since it’s sensitive to air pollution, you’re less likely to find it in those types of places in the first place.)

beard lichen on a piece of bark with a forest stream in the background
usnea attached to a fallen piece of bark, found next to this woodland stream during early spring

When to Forage

Usnea can be foraged all year ’round. The best time to look for it is after a wind or rain storm, since that’s when branches get blown to the ground.

We mainly search for it in winter and early spring, since there’s less greenery on the ground to distract from finding it, but really – you can stumble upon and harvest usnea any time of the year that you’re lucky enough to find some!

branch with beard lichen on the bank of a creek
This usnea covered branch almost landed in the creek!

Collecting Usnea, Sustainably

While you may spot usnea growing directly on trees, it should only be gathered from naturally-fallen branches, or clumps directly dropped from trees onto the forest floor.

Don’t gather every bit you can find though!

Lichens grow and reproduce slowly and they’re important for the overall health of the forest. For this reason, you should only take the amount of beard lichen you need, and leave the rest on the forest floor to complete its natural life cycle, where it also acts as a food source for wildlife, such as deer, and a source of nesting material for birds.

To harvest, use your fingers to gently pull on the clump of usnea you’d like to gather. It should easily detach from the fallen branch or piece of bark on the ground.

You really don’t need a lot of usnea – a couple of small handfuls will make plenty of tincture, salve, and a powder to stock in your natural first aid kit. You can always go back for more if you run short of what you need, rather than take too much that goes to waste.

large tuft of usnea lichen
a tuft of usnea on a fallen branch notice that it grows alongside other types of lichen

How to Store

After you’ve gathered usnea, it’s best to bring it home and process it into tincture or infused oil/salve over the next few days, if possible.

If you can’t get to it yet, you can air dry usnea and store in brown paper bags for future use. Just lay the pieces out in a single layer on a screen or clean dishtowel to dry for a few days.

Store in a cool dry place and out of direct sunlight and shelf life should be at least one year. If you find that the color has faded over time, it’s best to return it to the woods or compost, and pick a fresh harvest.

Can you grow usnea lichen at home?

The book, Radical Mycology, has an experimental technique to try if you’d like to cultivate usnea into your environment. They recommend removing a small piece of bark that contains lichen fragments, such as usnea, and place it in a piece of biodegradable gauze adhered to a new tree.

collection of herbal remedies made with usnea
Stock your natural remedies cabinet with these recipes!

Using Usnea

Now that you’ve harvested a couple of small handfuls, what can you do with usnea? Make local-sourced natural medicine!

Often called “nature’s antibiotic”, it’s used externally for wound healing and as a styptic (something that stops bleeding), and internally for sore throat; respiratory (pneumonia and bronchitis), GI, urinary tract, and sinus infection; and as an immune tonic.

It’s generally regarded as safe, but if you’re pregnant or have health concerns, check with a healthcare professional before using internally. As with all topical products, if you develop redness or irritation after using externally, discontinue use.

Don’t have a source of usnea, but want to make one of these projects? You can purchase some from Mountain Rose Herbs.

small bowl of herbal powder
a foraged wound powder made from local beard lichen!

Usnea Wound Powder

If you’re out and about in the woods and get a wound that you can’t get treated right away, you could technically just pack fresh usnea onto the spot to help prevent infection, then cover with a bandage. However, a powder is a bit easier to use in its place!

To make usnea wound powder, take dried usnea and run it through a coffee grinder. You’ll notice that your powder will be filled with stringy bits that won’t pulverize. That’s okay. Just sift out the powder and add those extra bits into your nearest infusing jar of usnea tincture or infused oil. (Or compost/return to the forest.)

Once you have a nice soft sifted powder, store it in a small airtight container. A tiny tin of it is handy to keep in your backpack – use it as a styptic powder (stops bleeding) and/or to prevent infection in wounds while out in the field.

oil infused with usnea

Usnea Infused Oil

Infused oils are used as a beneficial ingredient when you make homemade herbal products for your skin, such as salves, ointments, lotion bars, creams, and lip balm. You could even rub an infused oil directly on your skin (like a massage oil), but they aren’t taken internally.

To Make the Oil

Making an infused oil is ultra simple. You just need chopped pieces of usnea, covered with about twice as much oil. Here, I’m using 1/4 cup chopped plant to 1/2 cup oil, but you could use the same ratio for larger or smaller amounts. (example: 1 tbsp of chopped usnea to 2 tbsp oil, etc.)

  • 1/4 cup chopped usnea
  • 1/2 cup oil of choice

For best contact with the oil, blend the lichen and oil together using something like a blender, ninja, etc. If you don’t have a way to do that, chop the usnea up finely with scissors, then cover with twice as much oil.

What Type of Oil to Use

You can use whatever type of oil you have available. Olive oil is a classic choice for herbalists and it’s widely available at local stores. However, it is a little on the heavy side, as far as oils go, so it can take extra time to soak into your skin. For a lighter feeling option, you could try a faster absorbing oil such as jojoba, rice bran, grapeseed, or apricot kernel oil. Two good choices for a ‘medium feel’ oil that are also great for your skin are sunflower oil and sweet almond oil.

There’s no wrong oil to use really though. They will all work nicely, just some will feel lighter while others will feel oilier on your skin. (To test out your oil, dab a little of the plain oil on your arm, rub it in, and see how long it takes to soak into your skin, and how it feels to you.)

Directions to Infuse Usnea Oil

Place the lichen/oil mixture into a heatproof jar – a half pint jar works nicely – then set the uncovered jar down into a pan filled with several inches of water. Heat over a low burner for 3 to 4 hours. (We use a pot of water on our woodstove in the winter.) Monitor and make sure the water doesn’t evaporate out. Remove from heat. You can use the infused oil right away, or cover the jar with a lid and let it infuse in a warm spot (we use the top of our fridge) for 2 to 3 weeks longer.

Usnea Salve Recipe

Usnea salve, or ointment, is used for its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal benefits. It may be especially useful if you have a persistent skin infection or condition that won’t clear up, or can be used for things like boils, mild cuts, and scrapes.

(Black walnut salve is also a helpful antifungal, so you could make a salve that combines black walnut and usnea infused oils for a synergistic variation!)

To make, combine 1.75 oz of infused oil with 0.25 ounces of beeswax. Place in a heatproof jar, or a cleaned tin can for easy cleanup, and set down into a small pot of water. Heat the pan over medium to medium low heat until the wax melts. Pour into tins. Fills about 1 two-ounce tin.

amber glass bottle of tincture with fresh usnea
store tinctures in amber glass bottles when possible

Usnea Tincture

Tinctures are herbal preparations made with food-grade alcohol which best extracts many medicinal benefits. This alcohol tincture would also be a fantastic addition to a DIY sore throat spray, since it’s anti-inflammatory and an infection fighter.

While there are several methods of making, involving weight and extended heat time, we prefer this ultra simple folk-style extract method. “Parts” are given as volume ratios and could be anywhere from tablespoons to cups. Just replace the word “part” in the recipe, with whatever you’re using as a measurement device.

(Examples: If you only have 1 tbsp chopped herb available then 1 tbsp usnea, 2 tbsp boiling water, 3 tbsp alcohol OR if you have 1/4 cup chopped usnea then you’d use 1/4 cup usnea, 1/2 cup boiling water, 3/4 cup alcohol.)

If you have high proof alcohol – 151 Everclear:

You’ll need:

  • 1 part chopped usnea (fresh is preferred, dried is ok)
  • 2 parts boiling water
  • 3 parts high proof drinkable alcohol (151 proof Everclear, or 75.5% alcohol by volume)

To make: Place the finely chopped usnea in the bottom of a heatproof half-pint jar. Cover with the boiling water, then add the alcohol. Cover with a lid, then shake well. Store in a warm spot – we use the top of our fridge – for a minimum of 4 to 6 weeks. Strain and store in a cool dark spot. Shelf life is at least one year.

If you have lower proof vodka – 80 proof (40% alcohol):

Since lower proof alcohols contain more water than Everclear or high proof alcohols, you don’t need to add water to this mix. (Doing so could make the alcohol amount too low and it won’t be preserved properly.)

You’ll need:

  • 1 part chopped usnea (fresh is preferred, dried is ok)
  • 5 parts vodka (80 proof, or 40% alcohol by volume)

To make: Place the finely chopped usnea in the bottom of a half-pint jar. Cover with the alcohol. Place a lid on the jar and shake well. Store in a warm spot – we use the top of our fridge – for at least 4 to 6 weeks. Strain and store in a cool dark spot. Shelf life is at least one year.

Amount to use:

Tincture dose will vary widely depending on age, size, etc. We dose just 3 to 4 drops in a spoonful of raw honey several times a day, while others recommend a full dropperful 3 to 5 times per day. Start low and slow and work up to what does best for your constitution. For questions or concerns, check with your healthcare professional.

basket of usnea and oyster mushrooms
basket of freshly harvested usnea and oyster mushrooms

References & Further Reading

Auerbach, Paul S. Auerbach’s Wilderness Medicine. Elsevier, Philadelphia, PA.

Daniel, George H. and Nicholas Polanin. Tree-Dwelling Lichens. New Jersey Cooperative Extension Fact Sheet FS1205.

Easley, Thomas and Steven Horne. The Modern Herbal Dispensatory. North Atlantic Books, Berkley, CA.

Hobbs, Christopher. Usnea: The Herbal Antibiotic. Botanical Press, Capitola, CA.

McCoy, Peter. Radical Mycology. Chthaeus Press, Portland, OR.

Young, Devon. The Backyard Herbal Apothecary. Page Street Publishing Co, Salem, MA.

Our articles are for information and idea-sharing only. While we aim for 100% accuracy, it is solely up to the reader to provide proper identification. Be sure to seek out local foraging classes and plant walks, and invest in mushroom and foraging guides suitable for the area you live in, since some wild foods are poisonous, or may have adverse effect.

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27 Comments

    1. Hi Carolyn! There are several methods to make usnea tincture – a heated extraction, a double extraction… and every herbalist will have their personal preference.
      However, you can also make one the old-fashioned folk way, like we do here, which can also be effective.

        1. Hi Georgia, Thanks for your comment! Do you mean what way do we make our tincture using the folk method?
          That way is explained right above in the article.
          If I misunderstood your question though, just let me know! 🙂

  1. Hello,
    This information is extremely appreciated! It can be overwhelming swimming through all the new info & knowledge as newbie; especially without the ability to purchase any of the books or online e-knowledge that hopefully one day, I can invest in. My question is in regards to the oil infusion. The other methods gave me a complete understanding of how-to & purpose. I know you stated oil of preference, but In this new realm, even those options I can think of, have me confused. Is this an oil infusion meant for ingestion, that offers an alternative to an alcohol tincture? In which case, I’d assume EVOO (organic) or maybe just Olive oil (organic)?? Or is the oil i fusion meant to be topical only?? In which case, I would still request to know, what oil is preference for this recipe?
    Thank you so much!!
    Warmest Regards & All the continued blessings our Incredible Mother Earth has to Share with us 🌎💞🤍

    1. Hi Shannon, I’m so glad you found the information helpful! Thanks for asking about the oil infusion and letting me know that it wasn’t explained clearly. ❤
      I just went in and added some text that should hopefully help clarify. Oil infusions are used topically to make things like salves, lotions, lotion bars, etc.
      You don’t normally take infused oils internally. For internal use, we take teas, tinctures, and glycerites. (Glycerites are similar to tinctures, only made with vegetable glycerin instead of alcohol.)
      Many people use olive oil (either EVOO or plain will do) as the base for oil infusions and that’s definitely a good choice since it’s widely available.
      It is a heavier oil though that takes a little extra time to soak into your skin, so if you want something that feels lighter, you could use jojoba oil, rice bran, grapeseed, or apricot kernel oil.
      Two good ‘medium oil’ choices are sweet almond or sunflower oil. There’s no wrong oil to use really – they will all work nicely, just some will feel lighter and some will feel oilier on your skin.

  2. Are your usnea measurements pre-chopped or post-chopped? Would make an enormous difference given its fluffy characteristic.

    1. Hi Naomi! The measurements are post-chopped; you’ll chop the usnea first, then measure out the amount you need.

      1. Hi Diana! Yes, you can use different alcohols, just note the strength of what you use.
        If it’s high proof (such as 151 proof) alcohol, you use the water/alcohol method.
        If it’s something lower proof, like brandy, then use only the alcohol with no added water method, or you won’t have enough total alcohol content for preserving the tincture.

  3. Hi. We just moved onto 10 acres. There’s lots of usnea here. I was wondering if I could use usnea that dried on a dead tree. There are a couple trees here that are dead and completely covered in usnea.

    1. Hi Sue, How wonderful to have a nice supply of usnea to enjoy on your land!
      Yes, I would harvest from a dead/fallen tree.
      I still like to leave at least half behind, so animals can use it for food, nesting, etc, but it sounds like there’s plenty for everyone!

  4. We live in Western North Carolina. I’m a newbie with regards to medicinal herbs, tinctures etc. My first tincture is actually using Usnea. Any info & recipes would be so very appreciated.
    Thank You!!!

    1. Hi Crystal, That’s awesome that your first tincture is using usnea!
      I hope you found this article helpful. Did you see the usnea recipes I listed at the bottom of it?
      That’s where I detail how to make the tincture.
      Usnea also makes an excellent salve, there’s a recipe for that as well.
      Happy herbal adventures! 🙂

  5. I’ve often seen Usnea (AK) but today was my first time harvesting it for use! I’m wondering how long these salves/tinctures/powders etc last if stored in a cool, dry place? I want to use some for future sore throats/ scrapes but I don’t think I’ll go through my creations very quickly. If they’ve gone bad will I be able to tell? I’m brand new at this and don’t want to one day stumble upon a rancid oil infusion or something!

    1. Hi Channing! Salves are good for at least 9 months to a year, or as long as it smells good. (Old salve will smell rancid like old oil.) Salves won’t mold, so no worries about that happening.
      Worst case if you use it, your skin smells like old oil & it just won’t be effective outside of the emollient properties of the oils.
      Tinctures are usually good for 1 to 2 years, and I try to make a fresh batch each year, but you usually can squeeze out the second year if you’re out of plant materials for that season.
      Tinctures tend to dry out before they really spoil; I have had only 1 plant tincture go bad in the 15ish+ years I’ve been making them. (It had visible black mold on the plant matter that I had completely forgotten to strain out & the alcohol didn’t completely cover it for a few months. That was completely my bad!)
      The powder is good for around a year; it should keep a small hint of nice olive green tone to it, but it’s normal to turn a little browner.
      Worst case if you use it – it just isn’t very strong or effective as a fresher powder would be.
      You could also make half-batches. I try to keep recipes on the smaller size, because I’m the same way about wanting to use things up before they go bad, but you could reduce the ratios down to different sizes that are most convenient for you!

  6. good afternoon, I’ve completely done my tenture incorrectly I put my usnea in a quart jar 1/2 to 3/4 full then covered with my 100 proof vodka. the usnea I didn’t cut up its whole, then I promptly firgot about it due to health issues it’s now been sitting in my pantry for 2 months. what if anything can I do to save it. can it be strained then do a water exstraction on the usnea and mixed at a 50-50 or 75-25 ratio? or is it lost.

    1. Hi Jeffery! That’s not a problem at all.
      My friend Devon from Nitty Gritty Life does an alcohol only extraction, she just lets it sit a nice long time. (6+ months)
      One thing you could do is take a pair of scissors and kind of chop at the usnea in the jar so that it’s in smaller pieces, then let your tincture keep infusing.
      Here’s how she makes hers: https://nittygrittylife.com/usnea-lungs-forest/
      So your tincture should still be perfectly fine. 🙂

  7. We had to cut down an already dead tree which was very full of Usnea. My question is I have a Harvest Right Freeze Dryer. Can I freeze dry the Usnea? I have well over enough to make several jars of tincture but I was curious if freeze drying, then sealing in mylar bags with oxygen absorbers would be a good way to store for future use?

    Thanks!

    1. Hi Regina! I haven’t tried freeze drying usnea, but I think it would definitely be worth a try!
      You could air dry some the traditional way & compare that result to some that you freeze dry.
      I suspect the freeze dried will be a lot fresher looking & can’t think of any downside to it, off the top of my head.
      If you give it a try – come back and let us know how it goes! 🙂

    1. Hi Quinn! Usnea is usually considered best to take tinctured, but you could also make usnea tea (decoction) by simmering it in water. Some herbalists simmer for 15 minutes, other 30+ minutes – you can experiment and see which you prefer! 🙂

  8. I really enjoy your blogs! Usnea is a new herb for me but for certain will be looking for it on my spring morel hunting trip. Thank you for sharing all the wonderful information that you do!

    Have you or do you know of anyone who has put together a chart of seasons to harvest the various medicinal herbs, leaves/needles, flowers, resins, etc.?

    Thanks so much!

    1. Hi Rebecca, I hope you’re able to spot some usnea AND lots of morels this spring! I actually have some different charts for foraging, etc planned for this site since I couldn’t find any out there either – so stay tuned! 🙂

  9. Excellent and informative. I have huge trees full of usnea and ever spring cleannup and have been burning fallen branches full each year not realizing its benefits. I will now try some of your preparations above. Tyvm for sharing your knowledge! In your personal experience what have you used it for most effectively? Or what is your favorite use for it?

    1. Hi Jrose, So glad you found the article informative, and how wonderful to have trees full of usnea to enjoy!
      My favorite use is in salve, it’s a perfect all-purpose salve for random itchy or dry skin spots, minor scratches & scrapes.
      The tincture is also excellent for a throat spray for colds/flu/c*vid. I always include it in the mix along with spilanthes. (For throat spray: 2 parts tincture, 2 parts honey, 1 part warm water, mix well & add a couple drops peppermint extract if you’d like for flavor/cooling sensation. Stores in fridge for several weeks.)

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