Learning More About Herbs And Fascinated By Icelandic Moss (which isn't a herb 🙂)

About a month ago I decided to sign up for a herbal course online with a Swedish herbalist. I attended one of her workshops in Berlin but this must have been about 4 years ago (we both lived there back then). I remember I bought a lot of nettle leaves and made a lot of decoctions or was it infusions? These different terms still confuse me 🙃

There have been 2 lectures so far and there's one left. But I feel I have already learned so much. She is so knowledgeable and I find it super inspiring. (She is not very active on social media but if you are interested her IG handle is @idunherbs).

A Bit About The Herbal Course

She has explained the 3 biggest traditions when it comes to using herbs as medicine, namely Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, and Western herbalism. This short course focuses on Western herbalism and herbs that can be found in Sweden.

She has also provided us with a list of terms that are used in herbalism, information on different ways to prepare herbs (here it comes, decoctions, tinctures, etc), and a short dictionary based on the effect of the herb. (All of this is in Swedish but the terms are usually similar in English).

She has also demonstrated how to make apple cider vinegar and she usually covers 2-3 different herbs each lecture but more are described in the material that's provided.

What I really appreciate is the detailed instructions on how much to use, how long to prepare the herbs and what to think of when you harvest them etc. She is a bit reluctant to give exact instructions because it's something you learn once you start using herbs. But really, this is a beginners course and all of us are asking these kinds of questions all of the time. 🙂 For me it's just so much easier to start out if you have a reference point.

Icelandic Moss - What Is It?

Icelandic moss has been covered in the course and it really resonated with me (botanical name Cetraria islandica). The English name is a bit misleading since it's not a moss, it's a lichen. And what is a lichen? It's actually two organisms functioning as a single, stable unit. Lichens comprise a fungus living in a symbiotic relationship with an alga or cyanobacterium. Source.

Icelandic Moss. (Illustration by OpenClipart-Vectors, Pixabay).

When I started to research it a bit more I found out that historically it was widely used in bread, porridges, and soups here in Sweden and other parts of Northern Europe. Source.

I just find it so fascinating that something that was once included in a survival diet now is considered something rather exclusive. It also made me think of how much people struggled here in Sweden historically with the cold climate and of course not having access to all the foods we can so easily import today. But that being said, there is still a lot of things you can grow here and this course has already opened my eyes widely. I can't wait until the early summer, I already have a list of herbs I know will be so easy to find and harvest.

Health Benefits Of Icelandic Moss

Icelandic moss is commonly used to alleviate colds, coughs, and respiratory issues. It's antiseptic and contains mucus substances that form a soothing surface on the mucous membranes. It's both demulcent and bitter, which is a rather uncommon combination, and this makes it useful for problems with IBS and gastric catarrh, and inflammation of the mucous membranes. The bitterness aids digestion and stimulates the appetite. (Source: Lecture and material from the herbal course).

A Few Other Facts About Icelandic Moss

Icelandic moss can be found in Iceland (obviously) but also in Scandinavia, Great Britain, North America, Russia, and other areas in the Northern Hemisphere. It also grows in Antarctica. Source.

One thing to be aware of when picking Icelandic moss, or any lichen, is that it grows very slowly, increasing in size by only 1 cm each year. Source. I read somewhere that there are 40 different lichens growing in Sweden and they are popular to use for Christmas decorations (often mistaken for moss). So I gentle reminder to only pick what you'll actually use and also check the regulations in your area when it comes to harvesting herbs and especially lichens.

The smell actually reminds me of the cattle food we gave our sheep when I was growing up and it is important forage for reindeer. Source.

Icelandic Moss Decoction

One easy way to prepare Icelandic moss is to make a decoction.

I have followed the suggestions I have been provided with from the course and have used 4-5 tablespoons of dried Icelandic moss to 1 liter of water. Simply bring to boil and let it simmer for about 20 minutes. Drink 2-3 cups daily.

But this is not a tasty drink, it's very bitter. (Overconsumption can cause vomiting). So far it's been tolerable though for me. I don't really have any respiratory issues but what interests me is the positive effect it can have on the digestive system. I'll do my best and drink this daily now for some weeks and see if I feel a difference.

And yes, I bought dried Icelandic moss in a herbal store. But just visiting a herbal store is one step forward for me 🙂

Thanks for reading 🌸

Love and blessings to you all 💚