Icelandic moss: benefits and harm, recipes


The powerful potential of cetraria

Not every plant can surprise with such a wide range of applications as Icelandic moss or cetraria. It is especially useful for treating the respiratory and pulmonary systems in any, even the most complex, pathology.

The Icelanders were the first to learn about the benefits of this lichen. They have been eating it as a seasoning since ancient times. A special feature of this plant is its unsurpassed environmental friendliness. Moss will not grow where the air or soil is polluted.

Its medicinal properties are also unique. Cetraria is endowed with antiviral, antibiotic, analgesic, anti-tuberculosis and insecticidal properties. It contains a huge list of useful microelements, ranging from zinc to titanium. Vitamins A, C and B12 also give it special value.

Icelandic moss indications for use

One of the common lichens has been used in traditional medicine since the seventeenth century. Icelandic cetraria has long been used for treatment in many countries. It served as an additional source of food in lean years. Nowadays it is used by official medicine as food additives, in combinations with sage, chamomile, thyme, and calendula. The medicinal properties of Icelandic cetraria are explained by its unique composition.

  1. due to the high mucus content, the use of Icelandic cetraria is a good enveloping agent for the treatment of the respiratory organs with whooping cough, pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, pulmonary tuberculosis;
  2. is able to accumulate iodine from the environment, therefore normalizes the functioning of the thyroid gland;
  3. The presence of a large amount of mucus and bitterness makes cetraria lichen a useful remedy for the stomach. Decoction, infusion, activates digestion, awakens appetite, reduces irritation of the gastric and intestinal mucosa;
  4. Drink as an enveloping agent for inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, diarrhea, gastric atony, chronic constipation;
  5. the presence of usnic acid provides an antibacterial effect;
  6. lichen slows down the growth of malignant tumors, neutralizes pathogenic bacteria, leading to their death;
  7. externally, the decoction is used for washing, lotions for purulent wounds, skin ulcers, pustular rashes, boils, burns;
  8. relieves toothache;
  9. using 100 ml of decoction after meals cleanses the body of toxins and rejuvenates;
  10. tea from Icelandic cetraria eliminates symptoms of toxicosis, resolves lumps in the chest, helps with nausea and vomiting;
  11. a decoction of lichen with green tea is a preventive remedy for cancer;
  12. used as a general strengthening agent that improves immunity;
  13. for conjunctivitis, wash the eyes with a decoction every 3 hours to eliminate the inflammatory process;
  14. safe product, a good additive for soups, salads, especially when infected with HIV;
  15. The pectin substances of lichen are used to prepare jelly, jelly, and beer.

Who should take Icelandic moss?

The indications are very extensive. You can name the main ones to understand how healthy it is:

  • It even treats chronic respiratory diseases and many pathologies of the digestive system.
  • Helps cleanse blood and lymph.
  • As an additional remedy, it is used to treat cancer.
  • Helps in the treatment of the endocrine system.
  • Effective in the treatment of diseases of the ENT organs. Excellent treatment for sore throat, viral infections, tonsillitis, laryngitis.
  • Copes well with seasonal allergies.
  • By enhancing metabolism, it promotes weight loss.
  • Useful for weakening the body.
  • Can cure prostatitis and hemorrhoids, even in advanced stages.

It is very important that there are no contraindications for it. The healing power of Icelandic moss will help in the treatment of a huge number of diseases, even for pregnant women, young children and the elderly.

Contraindications for use

You will have to abandon the idea of ​​taking medications with Icelandic moss if you have had, are, or, according to doctors, are likely to have these diseases in the near future:

  • digestive disorders;
  • liver diseases;
  • bronchial asthma;
  • cholecystitis and pancreatitis;
  • gastritis and ulcerative colitis;
  • too “active” intestines;
  • spastic constipation.

Icelandic moss and medicines made from it cannot be considered as drugs for therapy. They are contraindicated in autoimmune diseases, tuberculosis, malignant tumors and pneumonia. Use with extreme caution during pregnancy, lactation and childhood.

You can learn about the medicinal properties of Icelandic moss and how to prepare decoctions from the following video:

The article selects the most effective decoctions, infusions and tinctures of Icelandic moss. They improve the condition of asthma, flu, diseases of the throat, respiratory tract, various intestinal and digestive disorders. Useful infusions are used for dry coughs, sore throats, colds and flu as a diaphoretic and diuretic.

Externally, a decoction of the thallus is used for rinsing for gum inflammation, stomatitis, periodontal disease, and also for sore throat. Pharmaceutical preparations such as Gerbion syrup, lozenges, and warming cream are very popular.

Pharmacy cough medicines

With the onset of spring and autumn, people begin to suffer from colds. Several types of cough preparations have been created based on moss:

  • Pectolvan Phyto is an alcohol extract that has an expectorant, thinning and antispasmodic effect;
  • Isla moos - tablets dissolve for diseases of the throat and upper respiratory tract;
  • Gerbion - antitussive syrup;
  • Isla mint - gel lozenges for throat infections.

There are drugs for other diseases. For example, Angigal spray will help against diseases of the throat and mouth.

Use in folk medicine

Not all people will be able to remember pharmaceutical drugs. Therefore, traditional medicine offers many simple recipes that will help get rid of various diseases.

The healing properties of moss for older people suffering from constipation are undeniable.

To normalize stool, it is enough to drink a healing infusion: finely chop 1 glass of lichen, pour in 2 liters of boiled water, leave for 24 hours. Take 200 ml of infusion 3 times a day until stool normalizes. Then take a break and repeat if constipation remains.

An extract can be prepared that is added to drinks or baths. Many people add it to food. How to get the extract:

  • For 100 g of moss take 1 liter of cold water;
  • pour, soak for a day;
  • then put in a water bath, cook until half of the initial volume remains. Store in the refrigerator for no more than 3 days.

Apply as needed. Icelandic moss can be brewed like regular tea and drunk instead of tea.

If you don't like the bitter notes of the drink, add a little honey.

For obesity

Useful for weight loss. The important thing is that after losing weight, it does not return for a long time. Icelandic moss improves metabolic processes, improves digestion, thereby reducing weight. How to use? Just instead of one meal, eat jelly, mixing it with berries or fruits.

Jelly recipe

Add 3 parts water to 1 part moss and cook for 3 hours. When the plant is completely boiled, strain and add to meat, fish, and soup.

Medicinal properties

Many substances useful for the human body are contained in the Icelandic moss thallus: 3-5% organic acids, 80% carbohydrates. Up to 2% fats, 3% proteins, 1% wax, 3.6% gum were found in the plant. It contains a lot of vitamin B12, which is responsible for immunity, protects against stress, strengthens hair and nails.

In domestic folk medicine, Icelandic moss thallus was used for bronchial asthma, colds, whooping cough, laryngitis and pulmonary tuberculosis. The presence of biologically active components determines the various uses of the thallus.

In the form of decoctions or infusions, it is used for diseases of the stomach, intestines, respiratory organs, to increase appetite, as a tonic. Often medicinal raw materials are used for digestive disorders.

We recommend reading: Beneficial properties of dill and its seeds

Before you begin preparing medicinal decoctions, infusions and alcohol tinctures, you must consult a doctor. Only a specialist will determine the dosage of the drug that you need. And, of course, you cannot practice herbal medicine without knowing the exact diagnosis of your illness.

The most effective cough treatment

Icelandic moss is considered the most effective natural cough remedy. If you cannot get rid of this problem within several months, then there is no need to torture yourself, just look at the recipes and choose the one that suits you. Moss has a special role in the treatment of cough. It can cure all forms of disease, not only colds, but also asthma and bronchitis.

Lichen is used with great success for allergic coughs, which is very important for allergy sufferers.

Recipes used for medicinal purposes.

  1. Decoction. It requires only herb and water: pour 2 tablespoons of dry raw material with a glass of cold water, bring to a boil, and leave to simmer for 1 hour. Then strain, drink warm throughout the day, one sip at a time.
  2. Decoction with milk. How to brew: 2 tsp. dry raw materials, pour a glass of milk, after boiling, simmer for 30 minutes over low heat. Take warm overnight.
  3. Tea. Cooking process: 1 tsp. Brew dry raw materials with a cup of boiling water. Cover with a lid and leave for 5 minutes. Drink warm 2-3 times a day.

Tea can be given even to children for cough, reducing the dose to 30 ml. To prevent your child from refusing the drink, add a little honey.
The baby will recover quickly and sleep better. Just do not exceed the dosage, since it is still a medicine.

Pills

You can buy tablets at the pharmacy and take them according to the instructions. Due to the fact that the tablets contain other components besides moss, it is better for pregnant women and children under 1 year of age to drink tea or syrup.

Treatment of pathologies of the respiratory system

To improve your condition with bronchitis and pneumonia , drink a decoction of Icelandic moss. Decoction recipe: 2 tbsp. l. dry lichen pour 400 ml of boiling water, simmer for 5 minutes over low heat. Strain twice, drink 100 ml warm, three times a day before meals. The course of treatment is 3-5 days.

For tuberculosis , for 15 days, you need to take a healing composition in milk. How to prepare the medicine correctly:

  • 2 tbsp. l. pour 400 ml of crushed dry raw materials. milk, add 1 tbsp. l. honey and butter.
  • Place the mixture in a water bath and bring to a boil.

Drink 200 ml of the strained decoction in the morning and before bedtime, warm.

cure whooping cough and obstructive bronchitis : brew a mixture of herbs, taken 0.5 tsp each, with a glass of boiling water. moss and coltsfoot. Simmer the mixture over heat for 10 minutes, then pour in 200 ml of boiled water. Drink in small sips during each coughing attack.

Tinctures

Along with decoctions, tinctures prepared with 40-degree alcohol are used. They perfectly restore strength and improve the speed of metabolic processes in the body.

For the treatment of stomach diseases. Forty grams of moss thallus pour 200 g of alcohol and leave for a week. Take 10-15 drops 2 times a day.

For the treatment of dry cough. Pour crushed raw materials (10 g) into 100 g of alcohol and leave for 10 days in a tightly closed container in a warm but dark place. Drink 10 drops 3-4 times a day. To gargle, the infusion should be diluted with boiled water in a ratio of 1:10.

To cope with insomnia. Pour crushed moss (100 g) with vodka (200 ml), leave for 14 days in the closet. Take 10 drops 3 times a day.

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Treatment of the gastrointestinal tract

Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, reindeer moss can cure many gastrointestinal diseases. To treat gastritis and various ulcers, you should prepare the following decoction: 4 tbsp. l. pour lichen with 3 cups of water, then let simmer over low heat for 10 minutes. Divide the decoction into 3 parts, drink 1 part before each meal.

Cetraria on kefir

The following composition will help cure the stomach:

  • Icelandic moss - 3 tbsp. l.;
  • honey - 3 tbsp. l.;
  • kefir - 400 g.

Cooking process:

Grind the lichen to a powder, mix with honey, pour in kefir. Beat the mixture with a mixer, take in the morning before meals and in the evening before bed.

Regular consumption of reindeer moss with kefir will also help restore thyroid function.

As we already know, cetraria grows only in clean places, it contains a number of useful elements, due to which it is the strongest natural immunostimulant.

And thanks to the presence of usnic acid, it helps stop the proliferation of cancer cells of the prostate, blood, and pancreas.

For men, it is recommended to take decoctions and infusions to increase potency, treat prostatitis and any infections of the reproductive system. Women can cope with mastopathy.

Protective effect of cetraria

Resin moss is actively used in cosmetology. Moisturizing, refreshing and rejuvenating creams are produced on its basis. It is better to buy the cream at the pharmacy. There are creams that lubricate dislocations, bruises, and are used for joint diseases.

You can prepare a healing ointment with your own hands, which should be used to lubricate wounds. Grind the dry raw materials into powder, take 1 tbsp. lichen, mix with 1 tsp. Vaseline, soak in a water bath for 5 hours. The frozen ointment can be used to lubricate wounds and bruises.

You can also see information about Irish moss in the video:

Dear friends, knowledge of how to take Icelandic moss will help in the treatment of many diseases, and you will find the raw materials in any pharmacy.

The use of Icelandic moss in cosmetology

A sufficient amount of tonic components allows Icelandic moss to be widely used in cosmetology. Cleansing lotions and natural soaps are prepared from it.

For acne, weakened hair and the first signs of skin aging. Wipe your face with lotion 2 times a day, rinse your hair after washing.

Prepare: dry crushed lichen (40 g) pour boiling water (200 ml). Keep on fire for 10 minutes, cool and filter. Store the lotion in a glass bottle with a tight stopper on the refrigerator shelf.

Soap for cleansing and restoring skin. Using a grater, make shavings from baby soap and melt it in a water bath. Make a milk-based decoction by adding chopped thallus. Pour the prepared broth into the melted soap. Remove from heat, pour into molds, adding a little essential oil and pharmaceutical glycerin. Spray the soap on top with alcohol. Leave to harden.

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