Also known as Old Man’s Beard, Beard lichen, Usnea barbata, Usnea longissima, Woman’s Long Hair, Tree moss. Species of Usnea have magical and medicinal associations all over the world, from Native tribes like the Dakota to Daoist and Chinese herbalists, to Vikings and back to Egyptian and Greek medical texts. It was known to be a potent antibiotic especially for upper lung and respiratory tract as well as bladder kidney and urinary infections and yeast infections as well, due to its powerful antiviral and antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties.*