Introduction of Iceland Moss:Iceland lichen or Island cetraria lichen.
✵The article gives records of the herb Iceland Moss, its English name, Latin name, common names, property and flavor, its botanical source one plant species, ①.Cetraria islandica L., with a detailed introduction to the botanical features of this plant species, the growth characteristics, and ecological environment of this plant species, the features of the herb Iceland Moss, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guide.
Iceland Moss(Iceland lichen).
English Name: Iceland Moss.
Latin Name: Cetraria islandica L.Acharius.
Common Names: Consumption moss, Iceland lichen, Islandiches moos, Cetraria, Eryngo-leaved liverwort, Iceland Lichen, Iceland moss, Icelandic Moss, True Iceland lichen, Island cetraria lichen and Oriental cetraria lichen.
Property and flavor: Iceland moss tastes bitter, and when wet, it has a smell reminiscent of seaweed.
Brief introduction: Iceland moss is a lichen and not a moss. The lichen is usually collected in the wild in Central Europe and Scandinavia, and then dried and drunk as tea or mixed into cough remedies.
Botanical source: Common herbal classics defined the herb Iceland moss as the dried thallus of the species (1).Cetraria islandica L. It is a plant species of the Cetraria genus, the Parmeliaceae family. The dried thallus is used medicinally. This commonly used species is introduced:
(1).Cetraria islandica L.
Botanical description: Cetraria islandica is a membranous perennial lichen that grows on the ground and has a stiff, curling thallus. The thallus grows up 2 to 6 cm high, upright, leaf-like, dichotomously branched, tufted and divided, with a 1 to 10 cm wide section. Varying in color from olive-brown to red-brown, the upper surface is olive-green or brown, and the underside is whitish to light brownish. The margins are covered in 0.5 mm long papilla, which contains the reproductive parts.
The structure of Iceland moss can be mistaken for stems and leaves, which makes it look like moss, the likeness in appearance may have been the reason for its name, but it is a lichen.
Ecological environment: This lichen is a native especially of Iceland, but also of Northern Europe and America. It grows in the boreal, alpine, and Arctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere and in some regions of the Southern Hemisphere, it is found in dry mountainous districts, throughout the Arctic and mountainous regions of the northern countries.
Growth characteristics: This lichen grows in damp places, usually on rocks and the bark of trees, especially conifers, heaths, dunes, coastal plains, lichen woodlands, bogs, meadows, tundra, forested sites, nunataks, and rock crevices.
Characters of herbs: Iceland moss is the dried thallus of Cetraria islandica as well as its preparations. It is collected in the wild, when air-dried, moistened, cut, and redried.
Pharmacological actions: ①.a source of mucilage; ②.stimulate appetite; ③.antibacterial; ④.inhibit HIV (human immunodeficiency virus);etc.
Iceland moss lichen consists of mucilaginous polysaccharides, mucilage expands into a gooey mass in contact with liquid, soothing and protecting the delicate mucous membranes that get inflamed from a cough, cold, or chronic bronchitis, to soothe and fill stomachs.
Iceland moss lichen contains other active bitter principles, stimulates salivation and gastric juice, acting as a tonic on the stomach and stimulating a poor appetite.
Iceland moss lichen has a weak antibacterial action, it fights certain bacteria in the test tube.
Iceland moss lichen was found to inhibit a fundamental function of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), the virus that causes AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome), the component was identified as an aliphatic alpha-methylene-gamma-lactone, its polysaccharide also helps stimulate the immune system.
Medicinal efficacy: Iceland moss is traditionally used for alleviating cough and congestion and calming stomach upset. It is recommended by contemporary herbalists for the same discomforts, the lichen can also soothe irritation and inflammation in the mouth and throat. The lichen is drunk as a decoction to stimulate a sagging appetite. Iceland moss has also been used for kidney and bladder problems, lung ailments, and in topical form to encourage healing in lingering wounds. Iceland moss was used by residents as food during famines that struck centuries ago in certain northern regions of Europe. In Europe, the herb has been approved for cough and bronchitis, dyspeptic complaints, inflammation of the mouth and pharynx, and loss of appetite.
Administration of Iceland Moss (Iceland lichen):
Reference:
Administration Guide of Iceland Moss (Iceland lichen)
Herbal classic books:
Dosage: A tea is prepared using 1 to 2 teaspoons of powdered moss and is drunk several times per day. The average daily dose is 4 to 6 grams. A single dose is 1.5 gram herb in a teacup. Iceland moss must be prepared specifically for the type of condition it is intended to treat.
Contraindications, Precautions and Adverse Reactions: The FDA classified Iceland moss as "Generally Recognized As Safe"(GRAS) to use as food. Iceland moss appears to be safe to use as a medicine for short periods. Finnish scientists warned that using large quantities for more than two weeks could pose a health risk because industrialization has contaminated much of the lichen with considerable amounts of lead.
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1.Introduction of Iceland Moss:Iceland lichen or Island cetraria lichen.
✵The article gives records of the herb Iceland Moss, its English name, Latin name, common names, property and flavor, its botanical source one plant species, ①.Cetraria islandica L., with a detailed introduction to the botanical features of this plant species, the growth characteristics, and ecological environment of this plant species, the features of the herb Iceland Moss, its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guide.
English Name: Iceland Moss.
Botanical description: Cetraria islandica is a membranous perennial lichen that grows on the ground and has a stiff, curling thallus. The thallus grows up 2 to 6 cm high, upright, leaf-like, dichotomously branched, tufted and divided, with a 1 to 10 cm wide section. Varying in color from olive-brown to red-brown, the upper surface is olive-green or brown, and the underside is whitish to light brownish. The margins are covered in 0.5 mm long papilla, which contains the reproductive parts.
Characters of herbs: Iceland moss is the dried thallus of Cetraria islandica as well as its preparations. It is collected in the wild, when air-dried, moistened, cut, and redried.
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