Usnea (Usnea barbata) Tincture, Dried Thallus Liquid Extract

Usnea (Usnea barbata) Tincture, Dried Thallus Liquid Extract

A single-herb liquid extract of dried plant material of Usnea barbata, cold-macerated in small batches and offered either as a traditional tincture in organic sugar-cane alcohol or as a vegetable glycerite.

What you get

• One herb, named to species. Nothing in the bottle but Usnea barbata — the botanical name is printed on the label, so you always know which plant you bought.
• Cold maceration, never heated. The herb steeps at room temperature rather than being boiled or spray-dried, so the volatile and heat-sensitive fractions stay in the liquid.
• Your choice of menstruum. Organic sugar-cane alcohol for a traditional tincture, or a vegetable glycerin extract with no ethanol in it.
• Ethically wild-harvested or sustainably sourced. Wild material is bought from harvesters who work stands on rotation rather than stripping them.
• Nothing else added. No added sugar, no artificial colours, preservatives or fragrances. Non-GMO and gluten-free.
• Made in the USA in an FDA-registered facility.
• Sizes from 2 fl oz to 2 gallons, including multi-packs — the same extract whether you are trying it or restocking.

About the plant

Usnea is not a plant but a lichen: a fungus farming an alga inside its own tissue, an arrangement neither partner can abandon. It hangs in pale grey-green beards from the branches of trees in clean air, and there is one certain way to identify it — take a strand and pull gently, and the outer sheath breaks to expose a white elastic cord running down the middle, which no other beard lichen has. It is exquisitely sensitive to sulphur dioxide and simply disappears from polluted districts, which makes its presence a reliable statement about the air. It grows a few millimetres a year.

Ingredients

Tincture: Usnea barbata, organic sugar-cane alcohol, distilled water, vegetable glycerin USP.
Glycerite: Usnea barbata, vegetable glycerin USP, distilled water.

No added sugar. Contains no artificial colours, preservatives or fragrances.

Suggested use

Shake well before use. Take 20–30 drops (about 1 ml, one full squeeze of the dropper bulb) in 2 oz of water or juice, up to 4 times daily, or as directed by a qualified healthcare practitioner.

Warnings

Usnic acid has been associated with liver injury when taken in concentrated form and in quantity. Do not exceed the suggested amount, do not use if you have liver disease, and stop use if you notice yellowing of the skin or eyes or dark urine. Not for use in pregnancy.

Keep out of reach of children. Not for use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. If you are taking any medication, have a medical condition, or are scheduled for surgery, consult a healthcare practitioner before use. Discontinue use if an adverse reaction occurs. Do not use if the tamper seal is broken or missing. Store tightly capped in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Actual packaging may carry different or additional information; always read the label before use.