Usnea by Village Vitality

INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE

• Cough. Although there has been interest in using oral usnea for cough, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of usnea for this purpose.
• Human papillomavirus (HPV). Topical usnic acid, a constituent of usnea, has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear. Details: A clinical study in patients with HPV genital infection undergoing radiosurgical treatment of HPV lesions shows that vaginal application of a specific product containing zinc sulfate and the usnea constituent usnic acid (Zeta N, Bergamon Italia), before and after radiosurgical treatment of HPV lesions, improves wound healing and reduces the recurrence of infection for up to 6 months after surgical treatment when compared with radiosurgical treatment alone (81573). It is unclear if these effects are due to usnic acid, zinc sulfate, or the combination.
• Obesity. Although there has been interest in using oral usnea for weight loss, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of usnea for this purpose.
• Pain (acute). Although there has been interest in using oral usnea for acute pain, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of usnea for this purpose.
• Tinea pedis. Although there has been interest in using topical usnea for tinea pedis, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of usnea for this purpose.
• Wound healing. Although there has been interest in using topical usnea for wound healing, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of usnea for this purpose. More evidence is needed to rate usnea for these uses.

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POSSIBLY SAFE ...when used topically and appropriately (12).

POSSIBLY UNSAFE ...when used orally. There are case reports of hepatotoxicity associated with compounds containing usnic acid, a constituent of usnea (7091,81595,81600,81607,81612,81619).

PREGNANCY AND LACTATION:
Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

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General ...There is currently a limited amount of information about the adverse effects of usnea. Orally, usnea might be unsafe. The constituent usnic acid has been associated with hepatotoxicity. Topically, usnea is generally well tolerated.
Most Common Adverse Effects:
Topically: Usnic acid, a constituent of usnea, can cause conjunctivitis, contact dermatitis, and local irritation.
Serious Adverse Effects (Rare):
Orally: Usnic acid, a constituent of usnea, has been associated with reports of hepatotoxicity.

Dermatologic ...Topically, a compound containing zinc sulfate and usnic acid, a constituent of usnea, has been reported to cause local irritation and contact dermatitis (81573).

Hepatic ...Orally, usnic acid, a constituent of usnea, has been associated with reports of hepatotoxicity. From July to December 2000 there were at least seven cases of acute hepatotoxicity in patients taking LipoKinetix, a product containing usnic acid as sodium usniate. Symptoms including nausea, weakness and fatigue, abdominal pain, and yellowing of the skin usually developed from 2 weeks to 3 months after starting LipoKinetix and resolved upon discontinuation (7091). It is unclear if the sodium usniate ingredient is the cause of these adverse events. There are also individual case reports suggesting the development of hepatotoxicity related to the use of other weight loss products containing usnic acid (81595,81600,81607,81612,81619).

Immunologic ...Topically, usnea and its constituent, usnic acid, can cause allergic contact dermatitis with respiratory symptoms (11720,81580,81632).

Ocular/Otic ...Topically, usnic acid, a constituent of usnea, can cause conjunctivitis (11720).

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