USNEA: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Usnea (Usnea barbata) is a lichen that grows on trees. Lichens appear to be a single plant, but they are really fungus and algae that grow together.

Usnea contains chemicals that are thought to fight germs that might cause infections. These chemicals might also decrease swelling, pain, and fever.

People use usnea for cough, obesity, pain, wound healing, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Don't confuse usnea with another lichen called oak moss. These are not the same.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

We currently have no information for USNEA overview.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Usnea is possibly unsafe. Usnea contains a chemical called usnic acid (sodium usniate) that might cause liver damage.

When applied to the skin: Usnea is possibly safe. But it might cause allergic reactions, including skin rash, in some people.

Special Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if usnea is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Liver disease: Usnea contains some chemicals that might harm the liver. If you have liver disease, don't take usnea by mouth.

Interactions ?

We currently have no information for USNEA overview.

Dosing

There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of usnea might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.

View References

REFERENCES:

Bezivin, C., Tomasi, S., Rouaud, I., Delcros, J. G., and Boustie, J. Cytotoxic activity of compounds from the lichen: Cladonia convoluta. Planta Med 2004;70(9):874-877. View abstract.

Campanella, L., Delfini, M., Ercole, P., Iacoangeli, A., and Risuleo, G. Molecular characterization and action of usnic acid: a drug that inhibits proliferation of mouse polyomavirus in vitro and whose main target is RNA transcription. Biochimie 2002;84(4):329-334. View abstract.

Choudhary, M. I., Azizuddin, Jalil, S., and Atta, ur Rahman. Bioactive phenolic compounds from a medicinal lichen, Usnea longissima. Phytochemistry 2005;66(19):2346-2350. View abstract.

De Carvalho, E. A., Andrade, P. P., Silva, N. H., Pereira, E. C., and Figueiredo, R. C. Effect of usnic acid from the lichen Cladonia substellata on Trypanosoma cruzi in vitro: an ultrastructural study. Micron. 2005;36(2):155-161. View abstract.

Dobrescu D, Tanasescu M, Mezdrea A, et al. Contributions to the complex study of some lichens-Usnea genus. Pharmacological studies on Usnea barbata and Usnea hirta species. Rom J Physiol 1993;30:101-7. View abstract.

Durazo, F. A., Lassman, C., Han, S. H., Saab, S., Lee, N. P., Kawano, M., Saggi, B., Gordon, S., Farmer, D. G., Yersiz, H., Goldstein, R. L., Ghobrial, M., and Busuttil, R. W. Fulminant liver failure due to usnic acid for weight loss. Am.J Gastroenterol. 2004;99(5):950-952. View abstract.

Favreau JT, Ryu Ml, Braunstein G, et al. Severe hepatotoxicity associated with the dietary supplement LipoKinetix. Ann Intern Med 2002;136:590-5.

Fournet, A., Ferreira, M. E., Rojas, de Arias, Torres, de Ortiz, Inchausti, A., Yaluff, G., Quilhot, W., Fernandez, E., and Hidalgo, M. E. Activity of compounds isolated from Chilean lichens against experimental cutaneous leishmaniasis. Comp Biochem Physiol C.Pharmacol Toxicol Endocrinol. 1997;116(1):51-54. View abstract.

Garcia, Rowe J., Garcia, Gimenez, and Saenz Rodriguez, M. T. Some lichen products have antimicrobial activity. Z Naturforsch.[C.] 1999;54(7-8):605-609. View abstract.

Ghione, M., Parrello, D., and Grasso, L. Usnic acid revisited, its activity on oral flora. Chemioterapia. 1988;7(5):302-305. View abstract.

Guo L, Shi Q, Fang JL, et al. Review of usnic acid and Usnea barbata toxicity. J Environ Sci Health C Environ Carcinog Ecotoxicol Rev. 2008;26(4):317-38. View abstract.

Halici, M., Odabasoglu, F., Suleyman, H., Cakir, A., Aslan, A., and Bayir, Y. Effects of water extract of Usnea longissima on antioxidant enzyme activity and mucosal damage caused by indomethacin in rats. Phytomedicine 2005;12(9):656-662. View abstract.

Han, D., Matsumaru, K., Rettori, D., and Kaplowitz, N. Usnic acid-induced necrosis of cultured mouse hepatocytes: inhibition of mitochondrial function and oxidative stress. Biochem.Pharmacol. 2-1-2004;67(3):439-451. View abstract.

Hassal, C. H. The antibacterial activity of usnic acid and related compounds. Experientia 12-15-1950;6(12):462-464. View abstract.

Hsu, L. M., Huang, Y. S., Chang, F. Y., and Lee, S. D. 'Fat burner' herb, usnic Acid, induced acute hepatitis in a family. J Gastroenterol.Hepatol. 2005;20(7):1138-1139. View abstract.

Ingolfsdottir K. Usnic acid. Phytochemistry 2002;61:729-36. View abstract.

Johnson, R. B., Feldott, G., and Lardy, H. A. The mode of action of the antibiotic, usnic acid. Arch Biochem. 1950;28(3):317-323. View abstract.

Kristmundsdottir, T., Jonsdottir, E., Ogmundsdottir, H. M., and Ingolfsdottir, K. Solubilization of poorly soluble lichen metabolites for biological testing on cell lines. Eur J Pharm Sci 2005;24(5):539-543. View abstract.

Kwong SP, Huang Z, Ji L, Wang C. PORIMIN: The key to (+)-Usnic acid-induced liver toxicity and oncotic cell death in normal human L02 liver cells. J Ethnopharmacol 2021;270:113873. View abstract.

Lauterwein M, Oethinger M, Belsner K, et al. In vitro activities of the lichen secondary metabolites vulpinic acid, (+)-usnic acid, and (-)-usnic acid against aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1995;39:2541-3. View abstract.

Lee S, Lee Y, Ha S, et al. Anti-inflammatory effects of usnic acid in an MPTP-induced mouse model of Parkinson's disease. Brain Res 2020;1730:146642. View abstract.

Mayer, M., O'Neill, M. A., Murray, K. E., Santos-Magalhaes, N. S., Carneiro-Leao, A. M., Thompson, A. M., and Appleyard, V. C. Usnic acid: a non-genotoxic compound with anti-cancer properties. Anticancer Drugs 2005;16(8):805-809. View abstract.

Mitchell, J. C. Allergy to lichens. Allergic contact dermatitis from usnic acid produced by lichenized fungi. Arch Dermatol 1965;92(2):142-146. View abstract.

Neff, G. W., Reddy, K. R., Durazo, F. A., Meyer, D., Marrero, R., and Kaplowitz, N. Severe hepatotoxicity associated with the use of weight loss diet supplements containing ma huang or usnic acid. J Hepatol. 2004;41(6):1062-1064. View abstract.

Odabasoglu, F., Aslan, A., Cakir, A., Suleyman, H., Karagoz, Y., Halici, M., and Bayir, Y. Comparison of antioxidant activity and phenolic content of three lichen species. Phytother Res 2004;18(11):938-941. View abstract.

Odabasoglu, F., Cakir, A., Suleyman, H., Aslan, A., Bayir, Y., Halici, M., and Kazaz, C. Gastroprotective and antioxidant effects of usnic acid on indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats. J Ethnopharmacol 1-3-2006;103(1):59-65. View abstract.

Okuyama, E., Umeyama, K., Yamazaki, M., Kinoshita, Y., and Yamamoto, Y. Usnic acid and diffractaic acid as analgesic and antipyretic components of Usnea diffracta. Planta Med 1995;61(2):113-115. View abstract.

Periera, E. C., Nascimento, S. C., Lima, R. C., Silva, N. H., Oliveira, A. F., Bandeira, E., Boitard, M., Beriel, H., Vicente, C., and Legaz, M. E. Analysis of Usnea fasciata crude extracts with antineoplastic activity. Tokai J Exp.Clin.Med 1994;19(1-2):47-52. View abstract.

Piorkowski, G. [Usnic acid as an oral antivirotic.]. Ther.Ggw. 1957;96(8):286-287. View abstract.

Pramyothin, P., Janthasoot, W., Pongnimitprasert, N., Phrukudom, S., and Ruangrungsi, N. Hepatotoxic effect of (+)usnic acid from Usnea siamensis Wainio in rats, isolated rat hepatocytes and isolated rat liver mitochondria. J Ethnopharmacol. 2004;90(2-3):381-387. View abstract.

Rafanelli, S., Bacchilega, R., Stanganelli, I., and Rafanelli, A. Contact dermatitis from usnic acid in vaginal ovules. Contact Dermatitis 1995;33(4):271-272. View abstract.

Ribeiro-Costa, R. M., Alves, A. J., Santos, N. P., Nascimento, S. C., Goncalves, E. C., Silva, N. H., Honda, N. K., and Santos-Magalhaes, N. S. In vitro and in vivo properties of usnic acid encapsulated into PLGA-microspheres. J Microencapsul. 2004;21(4):371-384. View abstract.

Saenz, M. T., Garcia, M. D., and Rowe, J. G. Antimicrobial activity and phytochemical studies of some lichens from south of Spain. Fitoterapia 2006;77(3):156-159. View abstract.

Sanchez, W., Maple, J. T., Burgart, L. J., and Kamath, P. S. Severe hepatotoxicity associated with use of a dietary supplement containing usnic acid. Mayo Clin Proc 2006;81(4):541-544. View abstract.

Scirpa, P., Scambia, G., Masciullo, V., Battaglia, F., Foti, E., Lopez, R., Villa, P., Malecore, M., and Mancuso, S. [A zinc sulfate and usnic acid preparation used as post-surgical adjuvant therapy in genital lesions by Human Papillomavirus]. Minerva Ginecol. 1999;51(6):255-260. View abstract.

Shibamoto, T. and Wei, C. I. Mutagenicity of lichen constituents. Environ Mutagen. 1984;6(5):757-762. View abstract.

Wang, X. P., Liu, H. J., Zhen, L., Zhou, Z. T., Li, M. Y., and Zhang, W. D. [Plasmid elimination effect of usnic acid on antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus]. Zhong.Yao Cai. 2006;29(1):36-39. View abstract.

Wu, J., Zhang, M., Ding, D., Tan, T., and Yan, B. [Effect of Cladonia alpestris on Trichomonas vaginalis in vitro]. Zhongguo Ji.Sheng Chong.Xue.Yu Ji.Sheng Chong.Bing.Za Zhi. 1995;13(2):126-129. View abstract.

Yamamoto, Y., MIURA, Y., Kinoshita, Y., Higuchi, M., Yamada, Y., Murakami, A., Ohigashi, H., and Koshimizu, K. Screening of tissue cultures and thalli of lichens and some of their active constituents for inhibition of tumor promoter-induced Epstein-Barr virus activation. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 1995;43(8):1388-1390. View abstract.

Yilmaz, M., Turk, A. O., Tay, T., and Kivanc, M. The antimicrobial activity of extracts of the lichen Cladonia foliacea and its (-)-usnic acid, atranorin, and fumarprotocetraric acid constituents. Z.Naturforsch.[C.] 2004;59(3-4):249-254. View abstract.

Arneborn, P., Jansson, A., and Bottiger, Y. [Acute hepatitis in a woman after intake of slimming pills bought via Internet]. Lakartidningen 7-11-2005;102(28-29):2071-2072. View abstract.

Behera, B. C., Verma, N., Sonone, A., and Makhija, U. Antioxidant and antibacterial activities of lichen Usnea ghattensis in vitro. Biotechnol Lett 2005;27(14):991-995. View abstract.

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.

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