Yun Wu Cao (Usnea longissima) — Dried Old Man’s Beard Lichen, 500g Food Herb

Yun Wu Cao (Usnea longissima), also known as Lao Jun Xu (老君须), Song Luo (松萝), Tian Peng Cao (天棚草), Shu Gua (树挂), and Long Xu Cao (龙须草), is the dried thallus of a traditional lichen used in Chinese herbal wellness practice. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this pale, filamentous lichen has long been prized as a gentle, clearing herb traditionally used to cool heat, resolve phlegm, and soothe the throat. Its nature is described as slightly bitter and neutral, making it a mild yet focused herb for supporting respiratory comfort and clear breathing.

Key Selling Points

• Traditional lichen food herb known as Yun Wu Cao
• Also called Lao Jun Xu, Song Luo, and Long Xu Cao
• Dried filamentous thallus, 500g pack
• Suitable for decoction and herbal tea blends
• Custom grinding service available on request

Quality & Sensory

Each batch is carefully dried to preserve its pale grey-green to sage colour, fine filamentous texture, and faint woodland aroma. When decocted, the lichen softens and yields a light, mildly bitter infusion with a subtle earthy finish, blending well with sweeter herbs such as jujube or licorice root.

Technical Specifications

Usage Scenarios

• Traditional herbal decoction
• Herbal tea blends with jujube or licorice
• Seasonal respiratory comfort routines
• Custom grinding into powder on request
• Bulk purchase for herbal practitioners

Traditional Uses

In folk herbal practice, Yun Wu Cao is decocted alone or combined with other herbs to support clear breathing and throat comfort. It is often simmered into gentle teas with jujube, chrysanthemum, or licorice root, and appears in traditional formulas associated with cooling heat and resolving phlegm. In some regional traditions, it is brewed as a daily herbal infusion during seasonal changes.

FAQ Q&A