Cetraria Icelandic (Icelandic moss)
Thallus in the form of greenish-brown erect bushes, hard and brittle when dry. The lobes of the thallus are flat or grooved-folded, sometimes almost tubular, narrow or wide, seated along the edges with small dark cilia; on the lower side they are lighter, covered with whitish specks-mu-nuls, on the upper side they are greenish-brown. On the tops of some blades, rounded, dark brown, shiny apothecia are visible. Distributed in Belarus.
Medicinal raw material is the entire layer of “Icelandic moss”. The raw materials contain antibiotics – lichen acids (usnic and others), the polysaccharide lichenin, the bitter substance cetrarin.
In the form of a decoction, Icelandic moss is a good enveloping agent. A decoction is prescribed for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, atony of the stomach, diarrhea and chronic constipation, as an appetizing remedy, as well as for pulmonary tuberculosis and other respiratory diseases, malnourished patients.
Application
In folk medicine, a decoction of 20 g of crushed lichen is prepared in a glass of water. Take 1 – 2 tbsp. spoons 4-6 times every day before meals (decoction with milk). The decoction has a softening effect on bronchial catarrh, bronchial asthma, catarrh of the stomach and intestines.
with gastric and duodenal ulcers, also enhancing the effect of lethargy of the body, to stimulate appetite in anemia.
Water extract: 2 teaspoons per 200 ml of water (daily dose) for coughs and chronic bronchial catarrh and other diseases with high acidity.