Iceland moss - medicinal properties and contraindications

The inhabitants of the northern regions have long been widely used Iceland moss. This unusual-looking lichen in the official classification is designated by the term "Icelandic tsetrariya", and the indigenous people call it reindeer moss, lopastyanka.

This representative of the poor flora of the European North has truly unique properties. For example, Eskimos and Lapps still add Icelandic moss as a spice to fish dishes. On the basis of it they make beer and even use it when baking bread. Thanks to its mucous consistency, citraria has become an indispensable component for making jam and jelly. Lichen is the main type of food for deer.Therefore, farmers in Norway, Sweden and the reindeer herders of the Russian Far North are engaged in its harvesting.

But the main advantage of Icelandic moss is a truly healing composition, allowing it to be widely used in the pharmaceutical industry.

Special composition

The entire composition of this lichen has not yet been studied, because scientists and physicians continue to work in this direction. But the components that were used by the peoples living in the difficult conditions of the North for the treatment of many diseases are not difficult to list. Iceland moss thallus contains such valuable components:

• squirrels;
• starch;
• carbohydrate complex, including glucose and galactose;
• bitterness;
• fats;
• enzymes;
• minerals, including molybdenum, sodium, nickel;
• gum;
• vitamin groups - A, B;
• acids;
• mucus (it is the main component - up to 70%).

Iceland moss has long been used by the pharmaceutical industry for the manufacture of various medicines that help in the treatment of a number of pathologies.

Under what pathologies is cetrarium used for therapeutic purposes?

• tonic;
• anti-inflammatory;
• laxatives;
• expectorant;
• immunostimulating;
• softening;
• choleretic;
• enveloping effect.

Experts highly appreciate the quality of this representative of the plant world and consider Iceland moss one of the most powerful natural antibiotics.

What diseases are treated with Iceland moss?

In the old days, citraria was used as an antiemetic and expectorant. Careful study of the composition and characteristics of each component has helped to expand the list of pathologies in which drugs based on this lichen make the treatment as effective as possible.

• Diseases of the respiratory tract and lungs - pleurisy, pneumonia, bronchitis, whooping cough.
• Infectious diseases - tuberculosis.
• Viral diseases - influenza, rhinovirus.
• Skin diseases - acne, trophic ulcers, furunculosis.
• Gastrointestinal disorders and diseases of the digestive system - gastritis, ulcers.
• Iceland moss is recommended to those who want to lose weight.

Traditional medicine offers effective recipes using lichen to restore the immune forces of the body after exhaustion caused by serious diseases and in the postoperative period. They are treated with sexual problems in men, and traditional healers recommend women to use lichen to combat mastopathy.

Recently, active research is underway that will establish the possibilities of Icelandic moss in the treatment of oncology and HIV infection.

Of course, the possibilities of Icelandic moss are impressive, but still, it is better to use it after consulting with a doctor.

Possible adverse reactions and contraindications

To receive any drugs should be treated very carefully, even if they have the most unique properties. This rule must always be remembered. After all, serious medicines are mainly prepared on the basis of natural ingredients. Therefore, treatment with Iceland moss in any form must be approached very responsibly. And in order to minimize the risk of possible complications, it is better to visit a doctor before starting treatment. Cases of negative effects after treatment with cetraria are few, but restrictions on the use of drugs based on it exist. Among the contraindications are such states:

• bronchial asthma in the acute stage;
• fever when the thermometer is above 39;
• ulcerative colitis;
• aggravated gastritis;
• autoimmune pathologies;
• spastic constipation;
• increased intestinal tone;
• cholecystitis, pancreatitis (in the acute stage).

You can not use this type of lichen for the treatment of children of infancy (up to a year). For pregnant women and nursing mothers, only a doctor should make a decision about the appropriateness of this type of treatment.

Usually, treatment with Iceland moss takes place without negative consequences.Only in rare cases, patients complain of a slight indigestion and discomfort in the liver.

Good to know! The preparations created on the basis of tsetrarii are intended for complex use. For mono therapy, they are not suitable. This point must be taken into account when it comes to treating conditions that threaten the patient’s life: oncological diseases, tuberculosis.

Pharmacy drugs

In Russian pharmacies and in the CIS countries are available for purchase of several types of medicines containing Irish moss.

1. Cough syrups: “Herbion” is a drug intended for the treatment of cough in children under one year old, as well as “Pektolvan” - for infections of the respiratory tract in older patients (up to 12 years).
2. The coughing Islamaos for sucking helps patients of any age who have problems with the vocal cords, dryness in the throats and tickling.
3. The cream with a warming effect helps with bruises, joint pain, cold. In addition to Icelandic lichen contains bear fat, eucalyptus, honey.
4. Sodium Usninat powder can also be found in the pharmacy chain.This is an excellent external tool that helps in the treatment of burns and other open wound surfaces. Also available as an alcohol or oil solution.
5. Many foreign cosmetics companies have mastered the production of gels, lotions and creams based on this lichen. In addition to the pharmacy chain, Iceland moss can be purchased from herbalists and traditional healers.

Folk recipes

There are many home-made methods for the preparation of various dosage forms from this valuable natural product. But, like any other medicine, all self-made remedies based on tsetray should be taken in a strictly defined dosage. The multiplicity of techniques must also be maintained.

1. Tea for cough with whooping cough. Components of moss and thyme. Both ingredients are taken in half a teaspoon, then the mixture is poured with boiling water (glass), infused for about 5 minutes. After straining, give the child to drink a full glass of tea in small sips. Healing tea can be drunk up to three times a day.
2. Medical decoction of gastric ulcers. Identical parts of the root of Althea, Cetraria, flaxseed mix.One and a half tablespoons of the herb mixture should be filled with boiling water (0.5 l), put on a slow fire for 5-7 minutes. Ready broth thoroughly drain. After the therapeutic composition has cooled, it can be taken in 70 ml before each meal in about half an hour.
3. Extract from constipation is prepared in the following sequence: dry raw materials (100 g) pour a liter of plain water and leave for a day to infuse. Then filter, cook in a water bath until the volume is reduced by half. Take three times before meals.
4. Antiallergic decoction can be quickly prepared, if you take a full handful of dry lichen, first pour the raw material with cold water and let it brew. After two hours, you can drain the water, and the grass mass pour 0.5 liters of boiling water. Boil the mixture for about 25 minutes on moderate heat. Broth is drunk on an empty stomach in half a glass.
5. Universal decoction is suitable for any occasion and its preparation does not take much time. Dry raw materials in the amount of one spoon (tablespoon) are first poured with boiling water, placed for 5 minutes in a water bath. As soon as the solution cools, it must be well filtered. You can drink up to 5 times a spoon in one step.

Collection, which will help to cope with chronic rhinitis, consists of equal parts (1 l. Art.) Components:

• Iceland moss;
• St. John's wort;
• Sophora Japanese.

The listed agents are mixed, sage (2 tbsp.) Is added to them, the mass is poured with boiling water, and then boiled for ½ hour. When the solution has cooled, filter it. Means for washing the sinuses. It is better to perform the procedure before bedtime with a small syringe or a sterile syringe without a needle.

This is only a small part of the popular recipes, which, as in ancient times, help people to forget about diseases and recuperate. Iceland moss is only one representative of the plant world, having a mass of properties that are beneficial to human health. But only with reasonable use, he will be able to demonstrate their healing qualities. This must always be remembered.

Video: how to remove impurities and chop Icelandic moss