High Purity Wholesale Price Usnea Extract Usnea Acid 98% HPLC

High Purity Wholesale Price Usnea Extract Usnea Acid 98% HPLC

What is "Usnea Acid"?

"Usnea Acid" is a common but somewhat imprecise term. It primarily refers to Usnic Acid, which is the most characteristic and well-studied secondary metabolite produced by lichens in the genus Usnea. However, Usnea species contain a complex mixture of other lichen acids as well.

Usnic Acid is a dibenzofuran derivative, a yellow-green pigment that gives many Usnea species their distinctive color.

Usnea extract (usnic acid) is a potent natural antibiotic with a strong historical record, but its modern use must be guided by a clear understanding of its significant risks, particularly concerning liver health.

Key Properties and Traditional Uses
Antibacterial: Its most renowned property. Usnic acid disrupts bacterial cell membranes and inhibits mitochondrial respiration, making it effective against a range of Gram-positive bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus (including some MRSA strains) and Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Antifungal & Antiprotozoal: Shown to have activity against some pathogenic fungi and protozoa like Candida albicans and Leishmania species.

Antiviral: Some studies indicate activity against certain viruses, including influenza and herpes simplex virus (HSV).

Anti-inflammatory & Analgesic: Used topically to reduce swelling and pain in wounds, sprains, and infections.

Traditional & Modern Use:

Historically, Usnea was used across cultures (Europe, Asia, Americas) for wound dressing, treating respiratory infections (as a tincture or tea), and for gastrointestinal ailments.

Today, it's primarily found in topical applications (creams, ointments, gels) for skin infections, acne, athlete's foot, and in oral hygiene products (mouthwashes, toothpaste). Systemic (internal) use is much less common and requires caution.