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Lichens as Drugs

Since many lichens had a fancied resemblance to certain parts of the human body, they were supposed to be a cure for the disease of that part of the body which they resembled. Old Man's Beard (Usnea barbata, Colour Plate I) was used to promote the growth of hair. Yellow wall lichen (Xanthoria parietina, Colour Plate II) was given for jaundice.

Peltigera canina dried and finely powdered and mixed with red pepper formed an anti-hydrophobia powder (Pulvis antilyssus) of the London Pharmacopoeia. In the history of the Royal Society it is recorded that several mad dogs belonging to the Duke of York were saved by this powder.

A prescription of Dr. Mead reads: "Patient is bled and ordered to take a dose of peltigera in warm milk for four consecutive mornings thereafter. He must take a cold bath every morning for a month, and for two weeks subsequent, a bath three times a week."