Traditional Uses: Traditionally used for thousands of years in ancient Egypt, Greece, China, and Native American medicine as a potent antimicrobial for wound healing, respiratory infections, and to treat urinary and uterine disorders.
Potential Benefits: Exhibits significant antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria (including Staphylococcus aureus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis), antifungal effects, and immune-stimulating properties; also contains mucilage that may soothe coughs.
Warnings: Internal use is possibly unsafe due to usnic acid content, which has been linked to severe hepatotoxicity (liver damage) and acute liver failure; avoid during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and in individuals with liver disease.
