The economic benefits of lichens are:
1. Food:
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Name of Lichens
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Use
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1. Cladonia, Peltigera, Certaria sp.
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Used as fodder for reindeers caribou in the Arctic regions. Also known as Reindeer Moss.
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2. Parmelia (Rock-flower)
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Used as spice in India food in Madras and near-by states.
Regarded as a delicacy.
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3. Lecanora esculenta (Bread of heaven)
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They are used by the Berber tribes in the deserts of Libya for grazing their sheep.
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4. Endocarpon miniatum
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Used as vegetable in Japan
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2. Medicinal Use:
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Name of Lichens
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Use
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1. Lobaria pulmonaria
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Used for the treatment of lung diseases
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2. Evernia
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Used for cough
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3. Cladonia and Usnea
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Usnic acid-used as antibiotics.
Usnic acid is widely used in European countries as as chemotherapeutic drug for external application.
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4. Peltigera
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Useful in hydrophobia
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5. Certaria and Cladonia
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Used for intermittent fever
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3. Perfume:
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The extract of Ramalina, Parmelia, Evernia species contain various essential oils which are used extensively as perfumes, soap-scents and incense (dhoop).
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Oak moss is used as fixative for perfumes in Southern Europe.
4. Other uses:
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Orcein, a biological stain is obtained from Rocella.
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Litmus dye used as chemical indicator is obtained from Lecanora.
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Lichenan or Lichenin is a complex starch which occurs in certain lichens. It is also known as moss starch.
