Health benefits of Icelandic Moss – Cetraria islandica

Iceland moss is not a moss, but lichen, a symbiotic association between algae and fungus, and grows profusely in Iceland, hence the name. Although it is not a vascular plant, the structure of Iceland moss can be mistaken for stems and leaves, which makes it look like a moss; the likeness in appearance may have been the reason for its name. The plant belongs to Parmeliaceae family of plants and is abundant throughout the Arctic and mountainous regions of the northern countries. It is found in the mountains of North Wales, North England, Scotland and South-west Ireland. In North America, its range spreads through Arctic regions, from Alaska to Newfoundland, and south in the Rocky Mountains to Colorado, and to the Appalachian Mountains of New England. Other common name for Iceland moss is Eryngo-leaved liverwort, Iceland Lichen, Iceland moss, True Iceland lichen, Island cetraria lichen and Oriental cetraria lichen.

Iceland Moss Facts

Plant Description

Iceland moss is fruticose or shrub-like bushy lichen with a small to medium brown thallus growing loosely on the soil.  The thallus (the body of fungi and lichens, being without vascular tissue and not differentiating into root, stem, and leaves) is channeled or rolled into thin, branched tubes, which terminate in flattened lobes fringed with minute papillae, rarely more than 5mm wide. Colonies are 2 to 8 inches (5-20 cm) broad.  Apothecia are generally rare.  Cetraria islandica displays cushion like growth, making it well suited to weather high winds in harsh environments.  It absorbs water slowly and can endure prolonged wet periods. 

The whole lichen is very tough and springy. There is a distinct coloration to the body of the Iceland moss; the upper surface is always brown in color. On the other hand, the lower or the outer surface of the moss tends to have a much lighter shade of brown or is a gray brown with dispersed white spots all over it. There are white spots which have a chalky or mealy appearance, and which are lodged in little depressions of the thallus.

Cetraria islandica produces ascospores, but sexual reproduction is infrequent.  Reproduction mainly occurs by means of thallus fragmentation or the dispersal of isidia and soredia.  Wind or animals may play an important role in the dispersal of these vegetative propagules.

Plant Growth Habit

The plant is found growing 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. It is most often found in sandy soil in exposed areas at high elevations.  It commonly grows on moist or dry tundra among mosses or in the open.

Benefits of Iceland moss

Listed below are few of the health benefits of Iceland moss

1. Coughs/Colds/Bronchitis

The main chemical compounds found in Icelandic Moss are large amounts of a type of starch called lichenin. When this compound is boiled, it turns into a substance resembling mucilage which is particularly soothing to irritated mucous membranes that line the respiratory tract and nasal passages. It also contains complex polysaccharides that have immune-stimulant effects and is especially useful to counter catarrh and calm dry coughs.

It is also powerfully antibiotic, containing usnic acid and other lichen acids that combat bacteria and viruses.

2. Digestive Health

Icelandic Moss is classed as a bitter herb – it stimulates digestive enzymes and enhances the body’s ability to absorb nutrients whilst it is in itself a highly nutritious food.

The aforementioned high mucilage content also exerts its soothing action in the digestive tract and the intestines, which helps to alleviate symptoms of gastritis, gastric ulcers and chronic digestive disturbances. It is also useful in treating digestive disorders caused by parasites due to its ability to gently expel intestinal worms and other parasites.

Traditional uses and benefits of Icelandic Moss

• Iceland moss has been used since ancient times as a cough remedy and has also been used in European folk medicine as a cancer treatment.
• In present day herbalism it is highly prized for its strongly antibiotic and demulcent actions, being used particularly to soothe the mucous membranes of the chest, to counter catarrh and calm dry and paroxysmal coughs – it is particularly helpful as a treatment for elderly people.
• Iceland moss has both a demulcent and a bitter tonic effect within the gut – a combination almost unique amongst medicinal herbs.
• Whole plant is strongly antibiotic, antiemetic, strongly demulcent, galactogogue, nutritive and tonic.
• It is excellent when used internally in the treatment of chronic pulmonary problems, catarrh, dysentery, chronic digestive disturbances (including irritable bowel syndrome and food poisoning) and advanced tuberculosis.
• Externally, it is used in the treatment of boils, vaginal discharges and impetigo.
• The German Commission E Monographs, a therapeutic guide to herbal medicine, approve Cetraria islandica for cough & bronchitis, dyspepsia, inflammation of mouth and pharynx, loss of appetite.
• Historically, C. islandica has been used to treat coughs, tuberculosis, fevers, and scurvy.
• Cetraria islandica has also been used as a source of antibiotics.
• It is traditionally used to relieve chest ailments, irritation of the oral and pharyngeal mucous membranes and to suppress dry cough.
• Some people apply Iceland moss directly to poorly healing wounds.
• Traditionally Iceland moss was considered a galactagogue and to have strong antibiotic, antiemetic, strongly demulcent and nutritive properties.
• Iceland moss has been principally recommended in chronic pulmonary and digestive conditions, particularly phthisis wasting condition also known as pulmonary tuberculosis), dyspepsia, and chronic diarrhea.
• In ancient times, the herb was a traditional herbal cough remedy, and had been used in European folk medicine as a cancer treatment.
• Traditionally it was used to soothe the mucous membranes of the chest, to treat chronic pulmonary problems, to counter catarrh and to calm dry and paroxysmal coughs and as a relief for advanced tuberculosis.
• Mucilage properties of this herb provide a natural treatment for the oral and pharyngeal membranes.
• Its bitter organic tonic action may stimulate the appetite and promote gastric secretion.
• Its soothing action is useful for conditions such as gastritis, gastric ulcer, hiatus hernia, and reflux esophagitis.
• It is thought to be a useful herbal treatment when used internally in the treatment of dysentery, chronic digestive disturbances (including irritable bowel syndrome and food poisoning).
• It was traditionally used for relief of vomiting arising from irritation and inflammation of the stomach.
• It may be a useful herbal remedy for low-grade stomach infections seen when there is low stomach acid production.
• It is used as a remedy for the effects of excess stomach acid secretion and it is thought to be a natural treatment for conditions such as malnourishment, debility, and anorexia.
• Ordinary doses improve the appetite, digestion and general nutrition.
• The herb is used as a surface application to treat boils, vaginal discharges, and impetigo.
• Iceland moss is also used to treat topical problems affecting the skin.
• Iceland moss is excellent for dealing with boils, to quiet down vaginal discharges in women, and to alleviate impetigo affecting the skin.
• Consumption of the Iceland moss aids in the treatment of disorders such as dysentery, chronic pulmonary problems and catarrh, and proves beneficial in dealing all kinds of chronic digestive disturbances – including irritable bowel syndrome and cases of food poisoning.

Culinary Uses

• Jelly is made by boiling the whole plant.
• It is nutritious and medicinal.
• Dried and powdered plant can be mixed with wheat and used in making bread and Cereals.
• Powder made from dried C. islandica can be boiled to yield a jelly used in soups in northern Europe.
• In earlier times, it was much more widely used in breads, porridges, soups etc.
• In foods, Iceland moss is used as an emergency food source in Iceland.
• In manufacturing, Iceland moss is used as a flavoring in alcoholic beverages.
• Traditionally in northern Europe, the powdered lichen was used as a thickener in soups.
• It can also be used to make confectionary, in which case it is made into a jelly and combined with lemon, sugar, chocolate, or almonds.
• In the 19th century it was drunk with cocoa sweetened with sugar for a really wholesome drink in cases of colds and flu.

Other Facts

• Powerful antibiotic can be obtained from the plant and this has become a fundamental ingredient in a wide range of commercially produced disinfectants.
• Brown dye is obtained from the plant.
• Cetraria islandica is valued as “good” forage for horses and pigs, and has been used as fodder for cattle.
• The astringent qualities of C. islandica make it useful in tanning leather.

Precautions

• Rare liver damage.
• Herb bitterness possible in breast milk.
• In excessive doses or with prolonged use, Iceland moss can cause nausea, indigestion, looseness of the bowels, gastric irritation or liver problems.

References:

https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=190618#null

https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Cetraria+islandica

https://www.nps.gov/romo/learn/nature/cetraria_islandica.htm

https://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/m/mosice52.html

https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=ceis60

https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/lichens/cetisl/all.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cetraria_islandica

https://gd.eppo.int/taxon/CETRIS

https://www.herbal-supplement-resource.com/iceland-moss.html

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