Foraging for Herbs in January

January sits at a quiet but crucial point in the plant life cycle. On the surface it might look like nothing is living, but rather than being dead, our plants and trees are merely in a period of pause, protection, and preparation for Spring.

I'm always on the lookout for plants no matter the time of year and just this week there have been signs of Sorrel, Plantain and Cleavers. Nettles can also be found poking out through the soil, though I leave them all to grow for a while yet, unless I'm desperate.

One of the things I do look out for at this time of year though is Usnea! Storms and high winds often mean Usnea falls from trees and can be gathered liked treasure washed up on a beach! Also, in the colder months, usnea tends to have higher concentrations of usnic acid, due to its slower growth and so is more potent.

Usnea

What is it?

Usnea is a lichen that typically grows on ancient trees, it grows very slowly, often only a few millimetres per year. Its main constituent is usnic acid, which was first isolated in 1844 and was being developed as a pharmaceutical, just prior to the advent of the much faster and cheaper to produce, Penicillin was discovered.

What are the benefits

Usnic acid has been shown to suppress the growth of gram positive organisms such as Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Pneumococcus without some of the side effects of penicillin such as the harm of gram negative beneficial bacterias. It is therefore useful for throat infections, respiratory infections and minor skin infections, as well as MSRA

Usnic acid is also antifungal and useful against things like athletes foot, nail infections, ringworm and oral thrush.

Finally, research has shown it increases markers of wound healing, such as collagen formation, when applied directly to wounds.

It should not be used internally for more than three weeks in a row, however, as it can cause liver damage.

Identifying Usnea

When you are gathering Usnea from the forest floor, you need to be able to distinguish it from other lichens, particularly Oak Moss. Usnea is fundamentally hair like and less dense than Oak Moss which has a wider thallus and tends to be white underneath, while Rag Lichen is ribbon like and much wider.

Gathering and drying

Since usnea grows very slowly, ethical harvesting is crucial and it should never be picked straight from the tree. Wait until after a storm to collect fallen Usnea and then look for usnea that is pale green to yellow-green, not grey or brown, feels flexible and slightly elastic, not brittle, has a clean, slightly resinous smell.

Do not wash the usnea, but remove any leaves, moss and black parts, then lay out on a rack to thoroughly dry for a week, avoiding sunlight and damp.

Using Usnea

Because usnea is tough and fibrous, it is usually made as a tincture or a decoction, not a simple infusion.

If using it for a respiratory infection, therefore you would want to break it into small amounts and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes before straining and drinking (again remember long term use is not advised and it cannot be used in pregnancy)

Making a tincture is the preferred method but takes much longer and you need a high strength alcohol to get the best out of it. I use a 96% Ethanol for mine, covering dried, chopped Usnea and leaving it to infuse for 4-6 weeks.

When ready, your tincture can be used for colds, sore throats, bronchitis, and coughs as well as UTI's, fungal infections and as a mouth rinse for ulcers and irritation.

Even in the coldest months, there are still gifts to be had from the earth, so bundle up and get outside to see what you can find!

Have a look at my January video about foraging for Usnea and making a tincture