Health properties
Angiangi (Usnea Lichens) has benefits that include:
Antimicrobial/antibacterial: contains usnic acid and other compounds with activity against some bacteria and fungi.
Anti-inflammatory: traditional topical uses suggest soothing and reducing inflammation.
Wound-healing: used historically as a dressing to help prevent infection and support tissue repair.
Respiratory support: used in infusions or inhalations for coughs, bronchial irritation.
Cautions: usnic acid can be hepatotoxic when taken internally in concentrated form; avoid unsupervised oral use, especially with preexisting liver conditions or combined with other hepatotoxic substances. Pregnant/breastfeeding people and children should avoid internal use unless directed by a qualified practitioner.
Traditional use
Used worldwide by Indigenous and rural communities (including Māori, Native American, and European folk traditions) as a topical antiseptic and wound dressing.
Employed in poultices, dressings, and smoke/inhalation remedies for respiratory complaints and chest colds.
Sometimes used as a mild dye or deodorizer; historically carried as an emergency antibiotic dressing on journeys.
Cultural context varies—harvest and use often follow specific local knowledge and customary respect for ecosystems.
Physical properties
Organism: fruticose lichen (genus Usnea), commonly called “old man’s beard,” “tree beard,” or regional names such as Angiangi.
Appearance: bushy, pendulous, branched strands; pale green to gray-green when moist, paler or yellowish when dry.
Texture: elastic and spongy when moist, brittle when dry; central cord (axis) gives tensile strength.
Habitat: grows on bark and twigs of trees and shrubs in clean, often humid air environments (sensitive to pollution).
Chemical: contains usnic acid, other depsides/depsidones, and polysaccharides; these contribute to antimicrobial activity and yellowish coloring.
Growth: slow-growing; sustainable harvesting recommended due to ecological sensitivity and slow regeneration.
Metaphysical / Energetic properties
Purification: used in spiritual cleansing rituals and smudging to clear negative energy.
Protection: carried or hung as a talisman for guarding home, journeys, and the wearer.
Healing and resilience: associated with strengthening, endurance, and recovery—used in spells or meditative practices to support physical/emotional healing.
Connection to nature: fosters attunement to forests, ancestral spirits, and earth wisdom; used by some as an aid to intuition and dream work.
Use respectfully: many traditions emphasize ethical harvesting and honoring the plant/lichen spirit.
