Hrrmmm, even in the highest winds, our cottonwood branches never break... either the whole tree falls over or its fine. Strange.

I'm tincturing it in 100 proof alcohol after grinding it. Working on an essay about usnea now that I hope to share soon.

I moisten usnea with alcohol and crush it gently, strain out the detriitus and tincture it 1 to 2 with 190 proof. I then run the sealed jar though my dishwasher two or three times. The usnea takes on a yellow/orange tint. I let it set in warm dark place for two weeks. When ready, I might dilute it with 80 proof vodka.
I use powdered usnea like a wound dressing. I'll sprinkle it on open wounds once the wound is washed clean. If necessary I'll pack it. It's a decent anti-fungal, not my favorite, but adequate. I'll sprinkle some on my feet after I return from the community pool.
I eat the softer (fresher) portions to show how it was used as famine food by some California tribes.

I pack a jar full of well chopped Usnea, cover it in Everclear and wait (I've tried about a dozen other techniques as well, but Chuck's dishwasher deal seems like the best thing, maybe a friend will let me use their dishwasher for the afternoon :) I use it internally anywhere there's infection with heat that needs clearing. I use it externally for the same kind of thing, anywhere there's super hot inflammation as it's such a nice cooling herb.

Hi,
I love the Usnea stories......the dishwasher deal is amazing....I am afraid it will explode...is there any danger in it doing that?
I just had a wild, sweet thought...I'll bet the plants love the internet. I would imagine that they feel that now all the wise old ways are being spread around again, technology really does serve us to connect with each other. I appreciate all the good stories.
Peace, Julie