Cetraria Icelandica, or Icelandic Moss.

Cetraria Icelandica, Or Icelandic Moss

Cetraria Icelandica, or Icelandic moss, is a lichen of the Parmeliaceae family, which is distributed throughout Russia, located north of the steppe zone, as well as in the Caucasus and Crimea. This lichen grows singly or in large clumps in pine forests, sandy heaths, alpine and subalpine meadows.

Icelandic Cetraria has a greenish-brown, brown or gray thallus. Its blades have grooves along the edges and are slightly turned upward. The underside of the thallus is light brown, dotted with white spots. It is attached to the soil by thin, short rhizoids. Along the edges of the greatly expanded lobes, fruiting bodies containing spores develop.

Reproduction of Icelandic cetraria occurs by spores and vegetatively. Lichen serves as an indicator of the purity of the atmosphere. It is sensitive to air pollution, so its presence indicates a good environmental situation in the area.

Cetraria Icelandica lichen is used in medicine as a medicinal raw material. It is collected in the summer by hand or with a rake, and cleaned of soil, adhering needles and impurities. They are dried in the sun or in a dryer, and then purified a second time to remove impurities. Store in bags or wooden containers for 2 years.

Icelandic cetraria thallus contains 70-80% carbohydrates, which are represented mainly by lichenin and isolichenin, proteins, fats, vitamin Bi, wax, gum, bitter substance cetrarin, lichen acids and a large number of trace elements. Preparations based on Icelandic moss have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, laxative, choleretic and wound-healing effects.

When cooked, crushed raw materials produce a thick mucous decoction, which, when taken orally, increases the secretion of gastric juice, regulates the activity of the gastrointestinal tract and has a good enveloping effect. Therefore, it is used for diarrhea and chronic constipation. The effectiveness of treating chronic constipation will be higher if the moss is not soaked.

Bitterness is used as a laxative. To obtain it, 100-200 g of crushed moss is poured into 1-2 liters of cold water and left for 1 day, filtered and evaporated to 1/2-3/4 of the volume. Take 3 times a day before meals in such an amount that provides a sufficient effect. If the laxative effect is excessive, the portion of the infusion is reduced. The course of treatment is from 10 to 15 days.

Icelandic moss thallus is also used for tuberculosis and pneumonia, whooping cough and chronic bronchitis. To prepare a decoction, 20 g of well-ground raw materials are poured into 0.5 liters of hot water or milk, boiled over low heat for 5 minutes and left for 30 minutes. Take 1/3-1/2 cup 3 times a day before meals.

For external use, the decoction is prepared only in water and filtered before use. For purulent wounds, microbial skin lesions, pustular rashes, burns and boils, apply lotions and washes. The bandage is changed 3-4 times a day.

Thus, Icelandic cetraria, or Icelandic moss, is a valuable plant material in medicine due to its beneficial properties. It is effective in the treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory processes, as well as in wound healing procedures.