Medicinal herb
Iceland moss
Cetraria islandica (L.) Ach
Iceland moss (Cetraria islandica) is not a plant but a lichen, growing on the ground high in the mountains and on bogs. The dried thallus is used, rich in mucilage and in bitters. Traditionally used for a dry irritating cough and for poor appetite.
About the herb
What iceland moss is
the thallus of Iceland moss (Cetrariae islandicae herba)
Iceland moss (Cetraria islandica) is not a plant but a lichen, that is a partnership of a fungus and an alga. It grows on the ground high in the mountains and on acid, poor soil on northern slopes, where it forms brownish green, antler-like branching cushions.
It is gathered in dry weather, the cushions being carefully pulled from the ground, free of moss and soil; it is gathered sparingly, because the lichen grows very slowly, a few millimetres a year, and a site that has been stripped takes decades to recover. It is cleaned well before drying, then dried in the shade.
The lichen is markedly bitter and mucilaginous; soaking in water takes some of the bitterness away. In Ašič's collection Iceland moss appears in Chest Tea, where it is one of the rarer ingredients.
Use and evidence
The EMA recognises traditional use to soothe irritation of the mouth and throat with a dry cough, and temporary loss of appetite. It does not treat tuberculosis or pneumonia. EMA.
Safety and precautions
The mucilage can affect the absorption of medicines taken at the same time; leaving an interval between them is advisable. Its identity should be checked in mycological and lichenological sources, not in plant collections.
These notes are general and do not replace advice from a doctor or a pharmacist, above all in pregnancy, while breastfeeding, in children and alongside medicines.
Products containing this herb
Where you will find it in the range
2 products from Ašič's pharmacy contain iceland moss. The composition is listed with every product.
Frequently asked questions
What people ask about Iceland moss
Which products is iceland moss in?
Iceland moss is an ingredient of these products: Chest Tea, Mother's Tea.
How is a tea from this plant made?
The instructions differ from blend to blend. For Chest Tea they are: Pour 3 decilitres of boiling water over two teaspoons of the blend. Leave it covered for 10 minutes, then strain. Drink it freshly made, several times a day, within 2 hours of brewing. If you like, enrich the tea with a spoonful of apple cider vinegar.
Are there any warnings about its use?
The product is no substitute for a varied, balanced diet and a healthy way of life. Its use is no substitute for treatment with prescribed medicines. Ask a doctor about use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
How do I find out which blend is the right one for me?
Ring the pharmacist on +386 1 78 77 065 (Mon, Wed, Fri 8.00–14.00). Tell him what is troubling you and he will tell you what is traditionally used for it.
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