Iceland Moss
Cetraria islandica
A lichen, not a true moss, recognized in Europe as a traditional medicine to soothe throat irritation and dry cough, and for temporary loss of appetite.
Safety at a glance
- PregnancyNothing recorded
- BreastfeedingNothing recorded
- MedicinesNothing recorded
- Who should avoid it1 note →
- AllergiesNothing recorded
- ToxicityNothing recorded
Tap a box to read the safety notes below. “Nothing recorded” means our sources don't cover it, not that it's safe.
What is Iceland Moss?
- Plant family
- Parmeliaceae, a large family of lichens
- Parts used
- The whole dried lichen, as a tea, extract, or lozenge
- Where it grows
- Northern regions; in North America from Alaska and Canada south to the Pacific Northwest, the Rocky Mountains, the Great Lakes, New England and the Appalachians
- Genus
- Cetraria
- Species
- islandica
Also called
Cetraria islandica, Iceland Lichen, Island Cetraria Lichen
Traditional names
Lichen Islandicus
Traditionally used for
- Sore throat and dry cough (traditional)
- Loss of appetite (traditional)
- Food (jellies and breads)
- Tuberculosis and fevers (historical)
Traditionally described as
Health topics
Where Iceland Moss appears in symptom search, and why. Being listed doesn't mean it's a proven treatment.
- Cough
Recognized in Europe as a traditional medicine for the dry cough that comes with throat irritation.
- Loss of Appetite
Recognized in Europe as a traditional medicine for temporary loss of appetite.
- Sore Throat
Recognized in Europe as a traditional medicine to soothe mouth and throat irritation.
Traditions that use it
- European Folk Medicine
Recognized in Europe as a traditional herbal medicine for mouth and throat irritation, dry cough and loss of appetite.
How it's prepared
Common ways Iceland Moss is prepared or sold. This isn't advice on how to take it; see Safety below.
- Extract
Soft extracts are used in products to take by mouth or to use in the mouth.[1]Health agency
- Tea / Infusion
The dried, cut lichen is made into an herbal tea.[1]Health agency
- Tincture
Iceland moss tinctures (alcohol extracts) are taken by mouth.[1]Health agency
Safety
Who should avoid it
For appetite loss it's for adults only; to soothe the throat it's for adults and children over 6. See a doctor if symptoms last longer than a week or get worse.[2]Health agency
Side effects
When the European Medicines Agency assessed Iceland moss medicines, no side effects had been reported.[2]Health agency
Contamination
Lichens, including Iceland moss, absorb radioactive fallout from the air.[3]Health agency
What does the research say?
Traditional use
These are traditional uses, not proven treatments.
Iceland moss isn't a true moss but a lichen. Based on long-standing use, the European Medicines Agency recognizes it as a traditional herbal medicine:
- To soothe mouth and throat irritation and the dry cough that comes with it (adults and children over 6)
- For temporary loss of appetite (adults only); its bitter-tasting lichen acids make this plausible
This rests on at least 30 years of safe use, not on proof from clinical trials.[2]Health agency
Iceland moss is one of the few lichens people eat. In northern Europe, the dried powder is boiled into a jelly for soups, and it's also added to breads and cereals. It has been used in the past for:
- Coughs
- Tuberculosis
- Fevers
- Scurvy
It has traditionally held an important place in Chinese medicine, and has been used as a source of antibiotics. It's also used to tan leather and to make a brown dye. It's harvested commercially in Iceland and Sweden; it grows only about 0.5 cm a year.[3]Health agency
Research in people
Small studies in people with inflammation of the mouth and throat suggested Iceland moss might improve symptoms. But few people took part, and it wasn't compared with a dummy treatment, so the results aren't reliable.[2]Health agency
Sources
- [1] European Union herbal monograph on Cetraria islandica (L.) Acharius s.l., thallus — European Medicines Agency, Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC)Government health agency
- [2] Iceland moss (Cetraria islandica (L.) Acharius s.l., thallus): summary for the public (EMA/812331/2016) — European Medicines Agency, Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC)Government health agency
- [3] Cetraria islandica, island cetraria lichen. Fire Effects Information System — U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station · DOI: 10.2737/feis-species-review-cetislGovernment health agency
This information is educational and traditional in nature, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Unfamiliar word? See what these words mean.