Lungwort Lichen vs Opopanax

Side-by-side comparison of medicinal herbs

Herb

Lungwort Lichen

Lobaria pulmonaria

Respiratory

Opopanax

Commiphora guidottii

Respiratory

⚠️ Pregnancy & Nursing Warnings

Lungwort Lichen

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Opopanax

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Description

Lichen growing on old forest trees used by Native Americans and European herbalists as an expectorant and lung herb by Doctrine of Signatures.

East African resin from Commiphora closely related to myrrh; used in Somali and Ethiopian traditional medicine for wound healing and respiratory conditions.

Active Compounds

stictic acid, norstictic acid, scrobiculin, usnic acid

furanoeudesma-1,3-diene, lindestrene, curzerene, beta-elemene, flavonoids

Traditional Uses

Lung and respiratory conditions, Traditional Native American lung herb, Wound healing, Forest medicine

Wound healing, Respiratory conditions, Antimicrobial use, Spiritual use

Modern Uses

Expectorant, Antimicrobial, Anti-inflammatory, Wound healing

Antimicrobial activity, Anti-inflammatory effects, Expectorant properties, Wound healing

Adult Dosage

2-3g dried lichen as tea or 2ml tincture daily

Topical resin application; 1-2ml tincture; burned as incense

Contraindications

Liver disease (usnic acid), Pregnancy

Pregnancy, Allergy to Burseraceae

Side Effects

Hepatotoxicity risk with excess usnic acid

Contact sensitization, Mild allergic reaction

Drug Interactions

0 known interactions

Reviewed by: HerbAlly Editorial Team, Medical herbalists and healthcare professionals

Sources: WHO Monographs · NCCIH · PubMed · Commission E

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