How to: Forage For and Tincture Usnea (Old Man’s Beard)
Usnea: The Forest’s Breath & A Winter Medicine
Winter demands a sloooow pace. The world outside quiets, inviting us to do the same. For me, grounding into the rhythms of the season means turning towards the land—learning from it, moving with it, and accepting its offerings. In the deep of winter, this connection can feel harder to grasp.
If you’re in the northwest like myself, you might step outside and see nothing but snow, evergreen trees, and that hairy looking lichen called Usnea (Usnea spp.), also known as Old Man’s Beard.
A Reminder for Slow & Steady Growth
Usnea is an amazing plant ally to turn to in the thick of winter. Nature made no mistake in allowing him to flourish in a time when not much else is, graciously allowing us access to his medicine all year long. Medicine isn’t all plants offer us though, they can also teach us lessons in how we should strive to live. If you take nothing else away from Usnea’s wisdom, remember that what allows him to flourish year round is his slow growth, a gentle reminder that we, too, can flourish if we take our time.
When I think of Usnea’s personality, I like to envision an old wizard with a long beard, whispering words of wisdom to us as we soak in his energy. He is not eager for attention—he does not stand tall and proud like the pine tree he often calls home. His wisdom is different from the pride that trees share; it is a quiet confidence, oftentimes unassuming, and never forceful. I know many who pass through the forests without getting to know Usnea, so his wisdom is oftentimes only revealed to those who slow down enough to acknowledge it.
For myself, I listened to lessons of resilience and patience and strength found in quiet endurance. If you have the opportunity, I encourage you to venture out into forest, by yourself, and quietly wander in the presense of usnea. I love to go ski touring by myself and stare and listen in awe at the usnea that grows in abundance here in Montana.
Identifying Usnea
There are over 100 species of Usnea, although thankfully almost all of them can be used interchangeably for plant medicine. It is still important to get a clear I.D. when foraging for usnea, as there are other lichens that grow in our forests that do not have the same medicinal properties.
Look for these characteristics when foraging for Usnea:
Elastic white core: When gently pulling apart a strand of usnea, an inner, stretchy, white core should be found. This inner white core may be less elastics in the wintertime when usnea is a bit dryer.
Hairy texture: True to its nickname “Old Man’s Beard”, Usnea has a hair texture thanks to the thread-like filaments on its surfance
Grayish-green texture: It oftens looks slightly dull compared to some of the brighter green lichens that grow.
Grows on trees, not the ground: Usnea typically grows on oaks, conifers, and hardwood surfaces in clean air environments. It will not grow in polluted areas.
Ethical Harvesting of Usnea
Usnea is sometimes referred to as “The Lungs of The Forest” and is incredibly sensitive to air pollution. It will not grow in heavily polluted areas which makes it an indicator of clean air.
Having said that, Usnea is incredibly slow growing and is vital to a forest’s ecosystem so we must take care when harvesting him:
Gather only from fallen trees and branches, never from a living tree.
Take only what you need, never the first or last of what you find.
Harvest away from roadsides and heavily polluted areas.
Ethical foraging is something that I like to refer to as community-minded consumption—a way of working with plants that honors their role in the ecosystem while still allowing us to receive their gifts.
Usnea Monograph & Energetics - When To Turn To Usnea
Long affinity; great at treating infections of the mucuosal membranes, including the lungs, mouth, gut, and urinary tract.
Turn to Usnea for infections of the lungs when yellow-green mucus is present.
Cooling and drying; Usnea is especially effective for infections where heat and moisture are present.
Ex.: An inflammatory lung infection with a wet cough.
Bladder infections
Effective against gram-positive bacterias (strep and staph infections).
Can be worked with topically to treat wounds, through either a salve (infused in oils/beeswax) or a wound powder (dried and powdered).
Backcountry first-aid: anyone who recreates in the backcountry should know about Usnea. Work with Usnea as a poultice (chew on it to turn it to paste) to apply to wound in the backcountry to help avoid infection.
Usnea Tincture: Double Extraction Method
Usnea is best extracted using the double extraction method, as it contains two components that make it a medicinal powerhouse:
Usnic Acid (Alcohol-Soluble): The compound responsible for Usnea’s antimicrobial power.
Polysaccharides (Water-Soluble): Beneficialf for immune support and overall vitality.
How to Make a Usnea Double Extraction Tincture (Folk Method)
Step One: Alcohol Extraction
Ethically forage wild usnea (following the tips above).
Chop it into small pieces and place in a jar (I do not typically wash usnea when working with him)
Pour 190-proof alcohol until the plant matter is submerged.
Cover, store in a cool, dark place, and shake whenever it comes to mind.
Let it infuse for at least six weeks.
Step Two: Water Decoction
After six weeks, strain the alcohol extraction and set the liquid aside.
Weigh or measure the Infused alcohol by volume (ex. 200ml).
In a pot, add double the amount of water (ex.: 400ml of water for 200ml of alcohol).
Add the strained plant matter to the pot.
Simmer gently until the liquid volume reduces by half.
Step Three: Combining
Let the water decoction cool to room temperature
Combine it with the alcohol extraction.
Shake or stir to combine, funnel into a dark-colored bottle, and store in a dark place.
How to Work With an Usnea Tincture
Many people turn to an Usnea tincture at the first sign of a respiratory infection. Recommended dosage is 30-60 drops multiple times a day.
Apply to infected wounds as a natural antimirobial (this might burn).
Add a spray top to use as a throat spray when you feel a tickle coming on.
Winter may ask us to slow down, but Usnea reminds us that slowness does not equal stagnation—it’s the foundation for deep, steady growth. I encourage you to go out and sit with Usnea with the intention of just being there. Slow down and listen to his wisdom. He has something to offer you… if you listen.