Usnea, like many lichens, came to be out of a symbiotic relationship between a fungus, and an algae. The fungus is responsible for providing the structure to this plant, while the algae allows it to photosynthesize. These two beings entered a symbiotic relationship over millennia to create Usnea as we know it. This relationship--the dynamic of two organisms uniting to create one plant--ultimately plays a big role in Usnea's medicinal properties.
 
On the level of its constituents, the fungus structure of the plant allows the algae to give Usnea its sage blue/green color, and generate Usnic Acid, the compound that gives Unsea its powerful antimicrobial, antibacterial properties. Additionally, Usnea contains mucilage, vitamin c, and sterols.
 
Usnic Acid can be regarded as nature's raw form of penicillin. Usnea acts as an antibiotic, but without eliminating all of the good microbiome in our bodies, and often, it can offer healing when antibiotics fail. Because of Usnea's generous properties, it has a profound affinity for the respiratory system, circulatory system, the skin, wounds, and infections, and as a potent antiviral. Usnea can be used to support the healing of strep, staph, GBS, and viruses such as Epstein-Barr, Herpes, and HPV.
 
Made from wild grafted local ingredients, lovingly harvested by these hands in  New Mexico and Oregon.