Astral Americana (since 2004)

Astral Americana is a botanical extract of Usnea. Usnea is a strong, active herb, which provides optimal support to the body’s natural defense system. While Usnea is virtually unknown now, it was widely considered a “super herb” before the antibiotic revolution (1955-present) due to its antibiotic, antifungal and antiviral potentials. Unfortunately, when antibiotics entered public consciousness, Usnea exited. Now, with the threat of antibiotic resistance growing, it may behoove us to become acquainted with Usnea again. That’s why we made Astral Americana.

History. Native American Indians called Usnea the “lungs of the earth;” their Medicine Men considered it sacred. Usnea appears in Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States, the Merck Index, and is a TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) ingredient.

Source. Our Usnea comes from the United States. It is wildcrafted, in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, in northern California and Oregon. The trees are Ponderosa pines, and they grow at high elevations. This contrasts with most Usnea available today -- it comes from Oak trees, at low elevations. This may be significant because lichens like Usnea get their sustenance from the air. Therefore, the higher elevation Usneas, like the one in Astral Americana, may be the purest.

Process. The Usnea is ethically hand-harvested. It is then extracted in extra strong organic alcohol. After extraction, Astral Americana undergoes a special heat process. The heat process insures both that the product is free of contaminants, and that its active ingredient (usnic acid, 2%) is obtained..

Active component. One active ingredient in Astral Americana is usnic acid. Laboratory testing has shown this compound to be active against Gram positive bacteria,1 Staph and Streptococcus.2 No wonder Dr. Christopher Hobb’s titled his Usnea book, Usnea: The Herbal Antibiotic. The antifungal property of the herb comes from its lichen acids.

Laboratory testing has also shown usnic acid to have antiviral activity.3 Antiviral properties of Usnea were determined by cytopathic effect inhibition and virus yield reduction assays.
Usnea contains other compounds, including barbatic and lobaric acids, vitamin C; and, fatty acids (linoleic and oleic).

Safety. A recent scientific review of Usnea by the FDA noted: “[Usnea has] a long history of pre-1994 use . . . and products of the Usnea family have been consumed as herbal and TCM [Traditional Chinese Medicine] remedies without any reports of systemic toxicity.”4 The FDA has not approved Usnea for any medicinal purpose, but it is allowed as a dietary supplement.

HOW TO USE: ½ dropper full, every four hours. Can be taken under the tongue, into the back of the mouth, or drunk with a small amount (1 tablespoon) of water. Can also be applied externally (e.g., to warts).