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| over the herb and steep 15 minutes. Drink three times daily. The tincture can be taken in 1/4- to 1-teaspoon doses, three times daily. |
| One of the unique features of St. Johnswort tincture or oil is its bright burgundy red color produced by the flavonoid hypericin in the plant. If you crush a fresh flower bud between your fingers, this red juice will be released. When making or buying tinctures and oils of St. Johnswort, this rich, red color should be apparent. If the product is pink or pale-colored, the product is inferior. |
| When making a tincture or oil of St. Johnswort, make sure to first crush the flowers and buds in a blender or food processor or with a mortar and pestle. |
| Usnea or Old Man's Beard |
| (Usnea spp.) |
| Part used: Whole lichen |
| Actions: Antifungal, antispasmodic, antibacterial, antiparasitic, antimicrobial, antibiotic |
| Indications: Usnea is an excellent antimicrobial herb, and although it is not as easy to find as many of the herbs covered here, it deserves mention. Usnea hangs from trees in gray-green beard-like masses along the coast of Maine and throughout the forests of the Pacific Northwest. It is effective in formulas for fungal conditions such as athlete's foot, yeast infections, respiratory and urinary tract infections. According to herbalist Christopher Hobbs, usnea has been used for stomach weakness, infections of the mucous membranes, dysentery and diarrhea. |
| Usnea has been shown to have immune-enhancing properties and to improve resistance to colds and flu. In addition, usnic acid, a component of the lichen is effective against staphylococcus and streptococcus, making it useful for some types of skin ailments and sore throats. Hobbs suggests its use in bronchitis, bacterial infection, mastitis, pneumonia, ringworm, sinus infection, urinary tract infection, tuberculosis and the vaginal infection, trichomonas. |
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