Lichens we consume, lichens we admire

September 1, 2022 • by Nicole Elmer
lichens

dye lichen

Yarn dyed in a traditional way with orcein from lichens. The different shades were obtained by dipping the skeins additional times in the dye bath. (Photo: W. Carter, Creative Commons)

There are different methods for creating the dye, including fermenting the lichen, simmering it in low boiling water, or submerging it in ammonia for several months. Not long ago, human urine was used for the same purpose as the ammonia method. A rather interesting Venetian recipe from 1540 calls for soaking a lichen for days in not just stale human urine, but potash, saltpetre (potassium nitrate), arsenic and sal gemmae (rock salt). One can imagine this could turn out to be quite a smelly process. 

Because lichens are very slow growers, most folks that practice lichen dyeing do what is called “salvage botany” for gathering the lichens to avoid damaging colonies. For example, they may harvest lichens from fallen tree branches or lichens that have been dislodged from growing surfaces by weather events.

iwatake

In this 1860 illustration, "iwa-take" hunters gather the iwa-take lichen in mountainous areas where the lichen grows on cliff rocks. In this life-risking process, the hunters sit in baskets and are lowered where they can gather the lichen.

Many lichens contain acids that hold what are called “precursors of colors,” meaning that a fixative is not necessary to achieve the desired color result. Colors for lichen-based dyes are quite stunning. From purple, to pink, to mustard yellow. Red is one of the rarest colors. Getting green requires the careful addition of a toxic modifier called copper sulfate, not a process for the novice! Fibers that take the dye best are cellulose fibers such as cotton and linen. Animal fibers like wool also work. These dyed fibers are then used for things like clothing, rugs, and textile art.

When it comes to eating or drinking a lichen, some can be consumed although great care must be taken due to food safety issues and potent toxins that many lichens have. 

Just a few of the edible lichen species include Bryoria fremontii, “Icelandic lichen” (Cetraria islandica), “Rock Tripe” (Umbulicaria), Parmelia (known in Telugu as “rathapu” or “rock flower), and Lungwort" or "lung lichen" (Lobaria pulmonaria).

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1851 advertisement from Australian newspaper for "Iceland Moss Candy."

Lichens in medicine

Before the ease of modern bottled medicine, people relied more on nature to cure ailments. Lichens were one of the go-tos and there are countless applications.

The Lung lichen actually got its common name based on medical uses. It reminded medieval European healers of lung tissue, and they took this as a sign it was a remedy for lung ailments. The Hesquiat people of British Columbia used it as a treatment for coughing blood, and it was also used for lung troubles in Darjeeling and Sikkim. Bryoria fremonti is used by many indigenous peoples for ailments ranging from broken bones, digestive problems, reducing swelling, and even removing warts. In the Russian Far East, Usnea filipendula was used as a powder to treat wounds. The lichen compound usnic acid (in extracts of Usnea species) has been used recently in antibiotic salves, deodorants, and herbal tinctures. The yellow pigment, parietin, is found in lichens like Xanthoria parietina, and protects against UV radiation. It could become a natural future sunscreen.

Currently, lichen metabolites are being investigated for anti-viral and anti-tumor properties but not many are actively used in medicine today

Thanks to Liz Bowman for her edits and input

SOURCES

Blum, Andrea. “Creating Lichen Dyes” (https://www.instructables.com/Creating-Lichen-Dyes-Letharia-vulpina-or-Wolf-Lich/)

Devokta, Shiva; Chaudhary, Ram Prasad; Werth, Silke; Scheidegger. “Indigenous knowledge and use of lichens by the lichenophilic communities of the Nepal Himalaya.” Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine. 13:15, 2017.

Joulain, D & Tabacchi, R. (2009). Lichen extracts as raw materials in perfumery. Part 1: oakmoss. Flavour and Fragrance Journal, 24, 49-61.

Kawagoe , S. (1925). The market fungi of Japan. Transactions of the British Mycological Society, 10, 201-206.

Kok, A. (1966). A short history of the orchil dyes. The Lichenologist, 3, 248-272.

Laning, Chris. “Orchil: The Poor Person’s Purple,” Tournaments Illuminated, 1997.

Lichens of North America (https://www.sharnoffphotos.com/lichen_info/biology.html)

Australian Lichens: Lichens and People - Dyeing. An Australian Government Initiative (https://www.anbg.gov.au/lichen/lichens-people-dyeing.html)

 

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