Nature’s Antibiotic
Usnea isn’t moss, it’s a lichen, a partnership between a fungus and an alga that’s been used for centuries as a natural antibiotic. You’ll find it hanging from trees in some of the cleanest air on earth. In my area of Alabama, it prefers oak trees. It has a very slow growing cycle, so I wait for a storm or windy spell, then go and search the area beneath our oaks.
Infusion Notes
I use a 1:1 ratio of olive oil to rendered lard. The olive oil brings its own healing qualities — it’s naturally soothing, rich in antioxidants, and helps support skin repair. The lard adds body and depth, with a fatty acid profile that’s very close to our own skin’s. That means the medicine can sink in deeper instead of just sitting on the surface.
Usnea holds tight to its medicine — mainly a compound called usnic acid — so a slow and low infusion is the best way to draw it out. One extra step that makes a big difference is letting the oil go through what I call a “sleep” period. After six hours (of a twelve-hour total infusion), turn off the heat and let the oil cool completely. I usually let it rest overnight, then “wake it up” the next day for the final six hours of gentle heating.
This process acts like a pump: as the usnea cools, it draws the oil deep into its fibers, and when it warms up again, the oil expands and pushes the extracted medicine back out into the mixture.
Ingredients for Today’s Salve
- 1 part dried and chopped usnea
- 1 part rendered lard
- 1 part olive oil
- Beeswax – use 1 part beeswax for every 5 parts infused oil
Instructions
Clean and Dry.
Pick or rinse off debris and let the usnea dry completely before use. Moisture can spoil your infusion.
Chop it up.
Cut the dried usnea into small pieces to increase surface area for better extraction.
Mix your Base.
Combine 1 part usnea, 1 part lard, and 1 part olive oil in a heat-safe jar or double boiler. Warm gently over indirect heat for about 12 hours total. The water in your double boiler should never boil or simmer.
Cool and Reheat.
After 6 hours, let the oil cool completely (overnight is fine), then rewarm it for the remaining 6 hours.
This cooling period helps draw out more of the lichen’s beneficial compounds.
Strain.
Pour through fine cloth or a coffee filter to remove the plant material.
Add Beeswax & Melt
Weigh your infused oil and add beeswax at a 1:5 ratio — for example, 40 g beeswax per 200 g oil.
Pour
Pour into tins or jars to cool. Be sure to wipe any water from the outside of your jar before pouring.
A Natural Topical Antibiotic!
A little goes a long way. Apply to minor cuts, scrapes, or skin irritations for natural protection and healing.
📄 Free Download
Want to keep this recipe handy? Here’s a printable PDF of today’s recipe and instructions:
👉 Download the Usnea Salve Recipe
🎬 Watch It in Action:
This video shows the process step-by-step — from foraging to finished salve.
Welp, that’s all I got for y’all today.
I sure do appreciate you stopping by and reading along.
So until next time, I’ll see y’all later.