{"id":109695,"date":"2025-06-18T09:04:07","date_gmt":"2025-06-18T08:04:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/?post_type=herb&p=109695"},"modified":"2025-06-18T09:08:48","modified_gmt":"2025-06-18T08:08:48","slug":"iceland-moss","status":"publish","type":"herb","link":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/herb\/iceland-moss\/","title":{"rendered":"Iceland moss"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"featured_media":109715,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","beyondwords_generate_audio":"1","beyondwords_project_id":"47224","beyondwords_content_id":"8f35c569-afa3-4700-a612-9d70e14e790d","beyondwords_preview_token":"c8243d53-8de2-4ba7-bf89-977947f2c7f1","beyondwords_player_content":"","beyondwords_player_style":"","beyondwords_language_code":"","beyondwords_language_id":"","beyondwords_title_voice_id":"","beyondwords_body_voice_id":"","beyondwords_summary_voice_id":"","beyondwords_error_message":"","beyondwords_disabled":"","beyondwords_delete_content":"","beyondwords_podcast_id":"","beyondwords_hash":"","publish_post_to_speechkit":"","speechkit_hash":"","speechkit_generate_audio":"","speechkit_project_id":"","speechkit_podcast_id":"","speechkit_error_message":"","speechkit_disabled":"","speechkit_access_key":"","speechkit_error":"","speechkit_info":"","speechkit_response":"","speechkit_retries":"","speechkit_status":"","speechkit_updated_at":"","_speechkit_link":"","_speechkit_text":""},"tags":[],"conditions":[685,695,700],"sustainability":[1575],"sense":[18,28],"western_action":[992,1822,993,994,998,1001,1005,1010,1021],"chinese_action":[],"ayurvedic_action":[],"energetics_action":[1498,1382,1488,1381,1492],"region":[1893],"class_list":["post-109695","herb","type-herb","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","conditions-digestive-system","conditions-respiratory-system","conditions-skin","sustainability-amber-sustainability-status","sense-bitter","sense-mucilaginous","western_action-anti-inflammatory","western_action-antiemetic","western_action-antimicrobial","western_action-antioxidant","western_action-antitussive","western_action-bitter","western_action-demulcent","western_action-expectorant","western_action-stomachic","energetics_action-bitter","energetics_action-cool","energetics_action-moist","energetics_action-neutral","energetics_action-toning","region-western-herbs"],"acf":{"last_reviewed":"20250613","herb_author":1344,"banner_text":"Iceland moss is used to soothe the respiratory and digestive tracts","latin_name":"Cetraria islandica<\/span><\/i>","pseudonym_name":"","family_name":"Parmeliaceae","herb_summary":"Iceland moss is rich in mucilage which helps to soothe inflammation and irritation, making it a key herb for coughs and digestive irritation.","key_benefits":"Bronchitis \r\nDry cough \r\nGastritis\r\nPeptic ulcer","how_does_it_feel":"Iceland moss has a slightly bitter flavour and a unique texture. In its dried form, it feels crisp and paper-thin, breaking apart easily between your fingers. When it is soaked in water, it becomes soft, flexible, and slightly gelatinous (1). It has a slippery and mucus-like texture, especially when used in herbal infusions. This smooth, mucilaginous consistency is part of what makes it so soothing for the throat and other mucous membranes (2).<\/span>","hdif_image_1":109716,"hdif_image_2":109718,"hdif_image_3":109719,"hdif_video":"","sense":[18,28],"what_can_i_use_it_for":"[caption id=\"attachment_109721\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"473\"]\"Iceland Iceland moss (Cetraria islandica<\/em>)[\/caption]\r\n\r\nIceland moss is primarily used as a demulcent, meaning it helps soothe irritated or inflamed tissues. Its high mucilage content allows it to form a protective and soothing layer over mucous membranes, making it especially useful for the symptomatic treatment of oral and throat irritation as well as dry coughs (2). This soothing action, combined with a relaxing expectorant action, makes it particularly beneficial for individuals experiencing chronic <\/span>coughs<\/span><\/a>, bronchial irritation, or general dryness in the respiratory passages (3,4).<\/span>\r\n\r\nIceland moss can also support digestive function. It can help ease gastric and duodenal ulcers by forming a gentle coating on the lining of the stomach and intestines, which helps protect irritated tissues and promote healing (2,3,4). It is also used to relieve symptoms of acid reflux, oesophageal irritation, and inflammation, reducing discomfort caused by excess acidity or mucosal damage (2). The lichen\u2019s demulcent and anti-inflammatory properties work synergistically to calm the digestive tract.<\/span>\r\n\r\nIn addition to internal use, Iceland moss is sometimes included in topical skin care formulations. Due to its soothing and antimicrobial qualities, it can be beneficial for conditions such as <\/span>eczema<\/span><\/a>, dry skin, or skin irritations. In these cases, it can help reduce redness, support skin healing, and restore moisture to damaged or sensitive skin (5).<\/span>","into_the_heart_of":"Energetically, Iceland moss is\u00a0cooling and moistening, making it suitable to soothe dry, inflamed tissues. It has demulcent\u00a0(mucilage-rich) and\u00a0bitter\u00a0qualities, making it both soothing and stimulating for the digestive system (3,4). The essence of the plant can be thought of as one that\u00a0protects and fortifies, offering\u00a0calm and resilience\u00a0in harsh conditions, much like its ability to endure cold and barren landscapes. In plant spirit medicine, Iceland moss is associated with\u00a0clarity, endurance and resilience (6).<\/span>","tradtional_uses":"[caption id=\"attachment_109717\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"426\"]\"Iceland Iceland moss (Cetraria islandica<\/em>)[\/caption]\r\n\r\nHistorically, Iceland moss served as a vital food source and medicine during times of scarcity in the Nordic regions. It was used by Indigenous S\u00e1mi and Nordic peoples as a\u00a0porridge base\u00a0or\u00a0bread ingredient, often mixed with rice or flour (7,8). It was also boiled to create a\u00a0medicinal broth\u00a0for\u00a0respiratory issues,\u00a0chronic coughs,\u00a0asthma, and\u00a0tuberculosis (9). Its bitter properties meant it was used\u00a0 as a\u00a0digestive aid\u00a0and\u00a0appetite stimulant too.<\/span>\r\n\r\nIn Iceland, it featured in various traditional dishes, including soups, porridges, sausages, and was even added to <\/span>skyr<\/span><\/i> (a type of curd) (8). An alcoholic beverage known as <\/span>Cetraria islandica schnapps<\/span><\/i> was also produced from this lichen. During the beet sugar scarcity in Russia in 1942, Iceland moss was also industrially used to extract glucose (10).\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nMedicinally, its mucilaginous content makes it a valuable remedy for soothing irritation of the respiratory and gastrointestinal mucosa (3,9). It has traditionally been used to ease dry throats, relieve dry coughs, support digestion, and provide relief from gastric ulcers and acid reflux (2). <\/span>","what_practioners_say":"[caption id=\"attachment_109716\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"417\"]\"Iceland Iceland moss (Cetraria islandica<\/em>)[\/caption]\r\n

Respiratory system<\/h3>\r\nIceland moss is a relaxing expectorant combining well with lobelia (<\/span>Lobelia inflata<\/span><\/i>) for chronic respiratory conditions, and forms a key ingredient in a popular formula made into capsules or tablets. According to the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia (BHP), the formula consists of Iceland moss at 250 mg, liquorice at 30 mg and lobelia at 20 mg. It can help to break up tough mucus in respiratory organs and, therefore, can be used for catarrh in the nose, throat or chest. It can be helpful in chronic <\/span>bronchitis<\/span><\/a>, cough and <\/span>blocked sinuses<\/span><\/a> (4).<\/span>\r\n

Digestive system<\/h3>\r\nIceland moss is a helpful remedy for inflammation of the stomach lining. This indicates its use in conditions such as <\/span>gastritis<\/span><\/a>, hiatus hernia, gastric ulceration and reflux related oesophagitis. It is useful in improving the effects of excess stomach acid but also used in cases of low-grade stomach infections occuring in a context of low stomach acid (3).\u00a0<\/span>","research":"[caption id=\"attachment_109715\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"476\"]\"Iceland Iceland moss (Cetraria islandica<\/em>)[\/caption]\r\n\r\nModern research highlights Iceland moss\u2019\u00a0antimicrobial,\u00a0anti-inflammatory, and\u00a0immune-modulating\u00a0properties. It contains\u00a0lichen acids\u00a0such as\u00a0cetraric acid and fumarprotocetraric acid, which have been shown to exhibit\u00a0antibiotic-like effects. It also contains\u00a0polysaccharides\u00a0that act as\u00a0immunostimulants\u00a0and\u00a0mucilage\u00a0that soothes irritated tissues. Studies have explored its benefits in\u00a0cough syrups,\u00a0throat lozenges, and\u00a0gastric ulcer treatments.<\/span>\r\n

Icelandic moss paediatric cough syrup shows good efficacy and excellent tolerance: Results of a post marketing surveillance study<\/h3>\r\nA German post-marketing surveillance study assessed an Iceland moss\u2013based paediatric cough syrup in 75 children and adolescents with mucosal irritation and dry cough. Doctors and parents reported a 60% reduction in cough intensity, with 67% rating efficacy as very good and 75% as good. Tolerance was excellent, with over 90% satisfaction, and no serious adverse effects were observed (11).<\/span>\r\n

Tolerability of Icelandic moss lozenges in upper respiratory tract diseases<\/h3>\r\nA large multicentre study evaluated two lozenge formulations (80\u202fmg and 100\u202fmg aqueous extract) in 3143 children suffering from upper respiratory conditions. Clinically, 39% fully recovered and 55% improved over 1\u20132 weeks. These outcomes support a favourable safety and tolerability profile. Only 1.8% experienced mild, transient adverse reactions, such as minor itching or nausea (12).\u00a0<\/span>\r\n

In vitro<\/i>\u00a0and\u00a0in vivo<\/i>\u00a0immunomodulating effects of traditionally-prepared extract and purified compounds from\u00a0Cetraria islandica<\/i><\/h3>\r\nResearch has demonstrated that aqueous extracts of\u00a0Iceland moss\u00a0exhibit significant immunomodulatory properties. This study showed that the polysaccharide\u00a0lichenan, found in the aqueous extract, enhances the maturation of dendritic cells, leading to increased secretion of\u00a0interleukin-10 (IL-10), an anti-inflammatory cytokine. This suggests a potential mechanism for its traditional use in treating inflammatory conditions (13).\u00a0<\/span>\r\n

Determination of antioxidant activity of lichen Cetraria islandica<\/i> (L) Ach<\/h3>\r\nThis <\/span>in vitro<\/span><\/i> study showed that Iceland moss has the potential to have significant antioxidant activity, surpassing Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) in inhibiting lipid peroxidation. It showed that the free radical scavenging ability of the extract was strongly concentration dependent. <\/span>In vitro<\/span><\/i> and <\/span>in vivo <\/span><\/i>studies have their limitations, as it is difficult to predict if the effects can be extrapolated to humans. However, there is value in knowing that Iceland moss has the potential of being a strong antioxidant (14).<\/span>","did_you_know":"Despite its name, Iceland moss is not technically a moss, it is actually a\u00a0lichen, which is a symbiotic organism composed of a\u00a0fungus and an alga (9).<\/span>","additional_information_right":{"illustration":109711},"additional_information_left":{"botany":"Iceland moss is a lichen with loose branching and fringed segments. It grows in irregular, leafy, flat lobes that are greenish-grey to brownish on the upper surface and grey-whitish beneath, with cup-shaped apothecia (fruiting bodies) often visible at the edges. These lobes are highly branched, sometimes curling slightly, it is 5\u201310 cm long and about 0.5 cm wide (4).","common_names":"