Lichens in folklore: medicine and dyes

Abstract

Lichens were mentioned in folklore of different cultures around the world for its ability to treat several diseases; thus, it has been used in folk medicine. Lichens were believed to be useful in the treatment of wounds, skin diseases, gastrointestinal and respiratory problems. It has been reported that lichens characterized by high carbohydrate storage, contain several secondary bioactive metabolites that act as antibiotics. Lichens were used topically as wound disinfectants, anti-bleeding, other skin problems such as soreness and mouth infections. According to Müller (2002), lichen metabolites possess a wide range of biologically active compounds with antibiotic, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, antitumor, immunomodulation and cytotoxic potentials. Despite of these different activities of lichen metabolites, their therapeutic potentials have not fully investigated yet and remain pharmaceutically untapped. We can conclude the importance of lichens usage from the word leikhēn, "what eats around itself", which derived from ancient Greek custom of using a cryptogam to treat skin disorders. Lichens are often drunk as a decoction for treating lung or digestive-related ailments. Many other lichens uses related to obstetrics or the treatment of gynecological problems. This may be due to the widespread utilization of lichens to cure infections that transmitted sexually and urinary system disorders. In many different cultures, there are other uses of lichens for the treatment of eye afflictions, the treatment of feet problems and the use of smoking mixtures. Usnea is the most commonly used genus of lichen, however it is often used synonymously with other arboreal hair lichen. Usnea is a long, pendulous and hair like species used for scalp disorders and hair reinforcement.