Lichen as food

Lichens are a primary food source in winter for reindeers (edible for herbivores). Lichens are part of a food web in which lichens are eaten by caribous and caribous by wolfs. Certain toxic wastes are found in lichen (when the environment is polluted) and these wastes can be traced all the way back to the bones of wolfs. (Gaare) Seven species of lichen were eaten by soldiers in the war of Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Redzic) The most used lichens were Evernia prunastri (oak lichen) and Usnea sp. (Old Man’s Beard), used for porridge and for lichen flour. One of the products produced by lichen might also work as an antioxidant. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant properties of an edible lichen Ramalina conduplicans. The results suggested that this edible lichen species have the potential to be utilized as food additives or as protective drugs.

Edible Lichen for humans can be found in New Zealand. (Galloway) A detailed guide to the more than 160 New Zealand native plants that have provided some form of food from pre-European times to the present. Including lichen. Each species is described in detail, identifying its size, colour, shape, edible parts, nutritional value, location and food use.