Usnea, a cozy dandelion “coffee,” and fall field notes from the Emerald Triangle
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Where science and tradition meet
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Welcome to the first official Triple Gem Herbs newsletter — a quarterly offering of plant reflections and botanical science. Here, I’ll share a featured herb, a simple recipe, and notes from the field.
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Herbalists around the world track the seasons and let their herbal practice meet nature where it's at. Fall is traditionally a time to harvest fungi, lichen, roots, and berries. This season, we turn our attention to the lichen Usnea (Usnea sp.) -- sometimes called old man's beard, or Methuselah's beard. This lichen has important medicinal and ecological properties and is a worthy object of our attention here.
First, let's back up. A lichen is not a plant, but rather an organism composed of an alga and a fungus living symbiotically. Nonetheless, this organism has been used by herbalists for myriad health concerns, including infections, wounds, and inflammation. Energetically, it's cooling, astringent, and bitter. This lichen is frequently prepared as a tincture, or double extraction (made with both alcohol and hot water) for respiratory ailments - making it a perfect ally for fall, the season of the lungs in Traditional Chinese Medicine. In the forest ecosystem, this lichen contributes to canopy diversity, carbon uptake, and nutrient cycling. Usnea is considered safe when taken in appropriate amounts—avoid exceeding the dosage listed on your product label.
🌲 Sustainability note: In California, Usnea longissima is listed as a species of limited distribution (California Rare Plant Rank 4.2). Similar caution applies elsewhere. Make sure to purchase from ethical sources, or gather wind-fallen strands rather than pulling from living trees, and take only what you need.
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Sources:
California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. “Usnea longissima.” CNPS Rare Plant Inventory (online edition), 4 Feb. 2025, rareplants.cnps.org/Plants/Details/?taxon=Usnea+longissima. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
Esseen, Per-Anders, et al. “Long-term Dynamics of the Iconic Old-Forest Lichen Usnea longissima in a Protected Landscape.” Forest Ecology and Management, vol. 546, 2023, article 121369. DOI:10.1016/j.foreco.2023.121369.
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Above: Photo of Usnea sp. under light microscopy. Note the curving, filamentous hyphae of the fungi and the round green cells of the algae
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🧪 From the Lab & the Field
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I’m grateful to share that I've started a new role in applied conservation biology, helping to do restoration work on cannabis impacted landscapes here in the Emerald Triangle, California. I'm also teaching a class on Indigenous Agriculture this semester. Between muddy boots and Zoom calls, I’m looking forward to learning from these roles and continuing to be in service to both people and plants.
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Image above: Lungwort lichen growing on a tree in the field at a conservation site. Lungwort (Lobaria pulmonaria) is another species of medicinal lichen used for its beneficial properties on the respiratory system.
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🍵 Recipe: Cozy Dandelion Root "Coffee"
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I have tried a lot of coffee alternatives, and most of them don't cut it. So of course, I made my own. Enjoy anytime you are in the mood for something cozy and roasty-toasty, minus the caffeine and acidity.
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- 2 parts roasted dandelion root
- 2 parts chicory root
- 1/2 part rooibos herb
- 1/8 part fennel (optional)
- Sprinkle of cinnamon (to taste)
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Directions:
Mix all ingredients together and store in an airtight container. To prepare, use approximately 1 teaspoon of the mix for every 8 oz of water. This tea is best simmered in a pot on low with the lid on for approximately 10 minutes and poured through a strainer to remove the herbs. If you prefer, you can steep it in a tea pot or tea infuser for 15-20 minutes. Leftover tea can be stored in the refrigerator and reheated if desired. I recommend drinking with a splash of milk or cream (non-dairy options work great!).
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October — 1:1 herbal consultations now open 🌿
November — Beginner's Ashtanga yoga class begins at Om Shala in Arcata 🧘♀️
January — Teaching with Ace of Cups School of Magical & Medicinal Herbalism — 2026 session starts soon ✨ (more info here)
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Thanks for being here, and have a fabulous autumn. Always feel free to reach out with any questions.
Love,
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