Species of Parmotrema are collected in large quantities as a food supplement in India (Brodo et al. 2001). Parmotrema spp. are also mentioned in Indian Materia Medica (K. M. Nadkarni, ed., 1976) as useful in treating a number of ailments. Parmotrema chinense in particular, along with Parmotrema perforatum, is used medicinally in India as a diuretic, headache remedy, sedative, and antibiotic for wounds (Brodo et al. 2001).
Chharila is a lichen crude drug sold in Indian bazaars and used in Ayurvedic and Unani systems of medicine and it is described by Chandra and Singh (1971). Three lichens can be called Chharila: Parmotrema chinense, Parmotrema perforatum, and/or Everniastrum cirrhatum. The smoke of Chharila is believed to relieve headaches. When powdered it is applied on wounds, and it is considered to be a good cephalic snuff. Chharila has also been considered useful in dyspepsia, spermatorrhoea, amonorrhoea, calculi, diseases of the blood and heart, stomach disorders, enlarged spleen, bronchitis, bleeding piles, scabies, leprosy, excessive salivation, soreness of the throat, toothache, and pain in general. When the drug was analyzed by Chandra and Singh (1971) it only contained Everniastrum cirrhatum and Parmotrema perforatum. And about 50% of the Chharila was other lichens which may have just been adulterants: Leptogium spp., Parmelia hyporysalea, Ramalina spp., Usnea spp., and Anaptychia spp.
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Basic Instruction
What is Parmelia perlata,Shaileyam,Stone Flowers?...
Lichens are dual organisms composed of a symbiotic relationship between an alga and a fungus. The fungus, usually an Ascomycete, provides the plant its shape, and the alga provides the ability to photosynthesis. This successful combination is able to produce a more elaborate and durable organism than either partner alone. Lichens are able to colonise inhospitable areas such as bare rock. As pioneer plants, lichens break down the rock surface and, together with decaying material from the lichen, eventually form soil conditions suitable for other plants. Many lichens are epiphytic (able to grow on trees), gaining nutrition from rain running down tree trunks. Only a few species tolerate air polluted with sulphur dioxide so few survive in cities. Lichens are variable in shape, either tubular, upright and branching, or flat and leaf-like or forming an amorphous greyish crust.
Lichen Uses:
Fodder uses: Lichens are used as fodder, particularly the Reindeer lichens: Cladonia raniferina, C. alperstris and C. sylvatica. Other fodder species include Cetraria, Stereocaulon and Alectoria. Cetraria islandica has been made into bread, porridge or gruel for human consumption. Lichens have been used instead of hops for brewing beer and was the basis of a large Swedish brandy industry in the 19th Century; 10 kilograms of lichen yielding five litres of 50% alcohol. Lichen dyes were renown for their high quality and colour but have largely been replaced by synthetic aniline dyes. Litmus paper was originally manufactured by the Dutch from lichens. Since the 16th century, members of the families Cladoniaceae, Stictaceae, Parmeliaceae and Usneaceae have been used as raw materials in the perfume and cosmetic industries. As manufacturing techniques improved, lichen extracts have been combined into toilet powders and scented sachets. Today the principal species still used in perfumery are Evernia prunastri (Oak moss), E. furfuracea and several Ramalinae spp.
Allergens: Usnic acid, atranorin, evernic acid
Allergy: Allergic contact dermatitis. In 1907, a patient with crocodile hands ('mains de crocodile') from contact with the bark of chestnut trees was described. It was postulated that the lower order plants (i.e. lichens) growing on the trees might have been responsible for the dermatitis. A report of a man who developed dermatitis on the side of his neck and ear after carrying freshly cut oak logs on his shoulder followed shortly. A similar case was reported from Italy where it was observed that the rash recurred on each time on returning to work with wood. Since this time there have been numerous reports of contact dermatitis from lichens growing on the bark of firs (Abies), larches (Larix) and chestnuts (Castanea). Most occupational contact dermatitis to lichens occurs in forestry workers who have contact with lichens growing on the bark of trees. The rash is usually confined to exposed skin surfaces but less obvious patterns can occur when lichens get inside an open shirt and lodge at the waist-line or when the clothes are saturated with rain. Usnic acid is insoluble in water but is carried down tree trunks by rainwater and is present in soil until degradation occurs.
Lichen sensitivity may also develop from non-occupational contact with wood, for example from carrying fire-wood at home or from contact with lichens whilst climbing a tree.
Some ground lichens can also sensitise. A third of 'lichen pickers' who harvest Cladonia stellaris, used in Christmas decorations, flower arrangements, toy trees in model railway layouts, etc, suffer from allergic contact sensitisation. Other cases have been reported from arranging reindeer moss as a Christmas decoration. Today the main cause of contact dermatitis to lichens is through exposure to perfumes containing oak moss.
Cross reactions: A number of patients are allergic to both lichens and liverworts. This probably represents multiple sensitisation, rather than cross-sensitisation, as both lichens and liverworts (Frullania) coexist on trees. The allergens in Frullania are sesquiterpene lactones which are probably not present in lichens.
Other information: Theophrastus used the term Lichen (derived from the Greek leprous) to describe a superficial growth on the bark of olive trees. Initially lichens also included the liverworts (Hepaticae), but Diocorides ascribed the term to true lichens on account of their resemblance to the cutaneous disease (presumably lichen planus) for which they were supposed to be specific. The medicinal use of lichens can be traced back to the 18th dynasty (1700-1800 BC) when Evernia furfuracea was first used as a drug. Herbal lore often used plants which looked like a disease to treat that disorder. Xanthoria parietine, being yellow, was supposed to cure jaundice, while Peltigera aphthosa, the thallus of which is dotted with small wart-like tubercles, was recommended for children who suffered from thrush. The long filaments of Usnea barbata were used to strengthen the hair, although Hippocrates prescribed it for uterine ailments. Boerhaven used Lobaria pulmonaria for haemorrhage and asthma. Other species of Evernia, Peltigera, Parmelia, Cladonia, Roccella and Pertusaria were used to control fevers, diarrhoea, infections, skin diseases, epilepsy, convulsions and as purgatives.
The Maori of New Zealand dried and then reduced lichens or Kohukohu to powders for application onto cutaneous eruptions. The active ingredient, like that of the Chinese drug Shi Rui, is usnic acid which is known to be antibacterial.
Example Patch test of Cosmetic Application: Lichen (specific plant) as is; 1% D-usnic acid; 1% Evernic acid; 0.5% Atranorin; 2% Oak moss; 1% stitic acid; 1% fumarprotocetraric acid
Brief literature of Parmelia perlata:
Species of Parmotrema are collected in large quantities as a food supplement in India (Brodo et al. 2001). Parmotrema spp. are also mentioned in Indian Materia Medica (K. M. Nadkarni, ed., 1976) as useful in treating a number of ailments. Parmotrema chinense in particular, along with Parmotrema perforatum, is used medicinally in India as a diuretic, headache remedy, sedative, and antibiotic for wounds (Brodo et al. 2001).
Chharila is a lichen crude drug sold in Indian bazaars and used in Ayurvedic and Unani systems of medicine and it is described by Chandra and Singh (1971). Three lichens can be called Chharila: Parmotrema chinense, Parmotrema perforatum, and/or Everniastrum cirrhatum. The smoke of Chharila is believed to relieve headaches. When powdered it is applied on wounds, and it is considered to be a good cephalic snuff. Chharila has also been considered useful in dyspepsia, spermatorrhoea, amonorrhoea, calculi, diseases of the blood and heart, stomach disorders, enlarged spleen, bronchitis, bleeding piles, scabies, leprosy, excessive salivation, soreness of the throat, toothache, and pain in general. When the drug was analyzed by Chandra and Singh (1971) it only contained Everniastrum cirrhatum and Parmotrema perforatum. And about 50% of the Chharila was other lichens which may have just been adulterants: Leptogium spp., Parmelia hyporysalea, Ramalina spp., Usnea spp., and Anaptychia spp.
The allergenic potential of the aromatic lichen substance atranorin has been investigated by means of the guinea pig maximization test of Magnusson & Kligman. Sensitivity was induced in 30% of the animals, which corresponds to a moderate allergenic capacity (grade III). This is in agreement with the clinically-observed frequency of 1.5% among our patients. A modified photoallergy test on the same animals was performed, but irradiation did not increase the number of positive reactions. 4 patients with proven contact sensitivity to atranorin, evernic, usnic or physodic acid, were examined with different dilutions from 0.001 to 0.1%. Irradiation of the test series did not provoke any clear-cut photoallergic reaction.
Contact allergy to atranorin in lichens and perfumes:
Atranorin, one of the most common lichen substances, gave positive patch test reactions in eight subjects (1%) in a routine series. These subjects also reacted to fumarprotocetraric acid and some of them to evernic acid. Stictic acid and usnic acid gave negative reactions. The lichen oak moss Evernia prunastri and an oak moss perfume gave positive reactions. Thin-layer chromatography and a spot test indicated that atranorin is present in oak moss perfumes which are made from oak moss and tree moss. Contact with oak moss perfumes and lichens in nature may cause atranorin allergy. None of the eight subjects had a history of light sensitivity or atopy and none had chronic facial eczema.
Atranorin and cosmetic application:
Atranorin belongs to the group of natural products. The substance is a component of oak moss, a lichen variety. Extracts from this lichen are often used in cosmetic products to add a male, tangy fragrance.
Atranorin can be found in:perfumes,shaving lotions,deodorants,body lotions.
2.lecanoric acid:
CAS Type 1 Name: 2,4-dihydroxy-6-methylbenzoic acid 4-carboxy-3-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl ester
Chemical Synonym:lecanoric acid, monopotassium salt CAS No.:480-56-8
Lecanoric (a.) Pertaining to, or designating, an organic acid which is obtained from several varieties of lichen (Lecanora, Roccella, etc.), as a white, crystalline substance, and is called also orsellic, / diorsellinic acid, lecanorin, etc.
Parmelia perlata is a lichen growing in rosettes or irregularly spreading over the substratum giving the appearance of a flower - hence the name. It is mainly composed of fungal mycelia which forms a network enclosing algal cells or gonidia. The plant is astringent, bitter, acrid, cooling, anti-inflammatory and aphrodisiac. It is useful in sores, boils, inflammations, seminal weakness and amenorrhea.
Mechanism and Chemical Change:
Chemical Composition: The chromogenic bodies in the lichens mentioned are crystallizable phenols and phenol acids. To the latter class belong lecanoric acid,discovered in 1842 by Schunck, with which beta-orsellinic acidof Stenhouse (1848) is identical; erythrinic and roccellic acids (Heeren, 1830), usnic acid, evernic acid, etc.
(For details regarding these acids, see Husemann and Hilger, Pflanzenstoffe,Vol. I, p. 303.) They are in themselves colorless, but become converted into coloring matters by the joint action of water,air, and ammonia.
Lecanoric acid: (C16H14O7, Gerhardt and Hesse),crystallizes in white stellate needles soluble in 2500 parts of boiling water with acid reaction, more soluble in hot acetic acid, also soluble in alcohol and ether. Its melting point is 153C. (307.7F.), and it forms crystallizable salts with acids. Heated with water, alcohol or aqueous alkalies, lecanoric acid adds one molecule of water and is converted into crystallizable orsellinic acid (C8H8O4). This when continuously boiled with water, loses carbonic acid and forms orcin or dihydroxy-toluene (C7H8O2, or C6H3.CH3.[OH]2), which is also obtained by dry distillation of lecanoric acid. Orcin is the chromogene body proper of this group. It forms colorless needles of sweetish, nauseating taste, is easily soluble in water, alcohol, and ether; ferric chloride produces with it a violet coloration. Exposed to light and air it turns reddish. In alkaline solution it changes to red or brown upon exposure to the air. In contact with moist air containing ammonia, it is converted into orcein (C7H7NO3), a brown substance soluble in aqueous alkalies with purple-red color, being precipitated from this solution by acids. Orcen is the coloring principle of orseille or archil
Orcin: when exposed to moist and ammoniated air in the presence of alkali carbonates, is converted into azolitmin,the blue coloring matter of litmus. The coloring bodies in litmus, according to Dr. Kane (Chem. Centralblatt, 1841,p. 567; also see Pereira, Mat. Med., edition by J. Carson,1846), are:
(1) A purplish-red semifluid material, erythrolein: It is soluble in ether and alcohol, and yields with ammonia a rich purple solution;
(2) a crystalline body of a light red color, erythrolitmin: nitrogen free, soluble in alcohol,but sparingly so in ether and water, and striking blue with ammonia;
(3) a brownish-red, noncrystalline body, the chief coloring principle of litmus, named azolitmin (C7H7NO4): it turns blue with alkalies, is insoluble in alcohol and ether,and sparingly soluble in cold water;
(4) a small amount of a bright-red body, spaniolitmin: which is colored blue by alkalies; water dissolves it sparingly; insoluble in alcohol and ether.
Common Use of Parmelia perlata:
Parmelia perlata Stone Flower/Shaileyam:treatment of infertile male, in various combinations.
Uses: Food (India), Medicine (China/India)
Parmelia perlata var. ciliata (DC.) Duby Distribution In India:
Major chemical contents from China Lichen:
Scientists analyzed and proved some lichen from China including Sticta henryana;Alectoria variabilis;Nephromopsis stracheyi f.ectocar pisma;Stereocaulon pomiferum have following phytochemicals:
And specially methyl 5-methy-beta-orcinolcarboxylate firstly extracted from plant source,and test proved Stereocaulon pomiferum could be used as a good raw material for perfumes and aroma.
Scientific References:
1.What is Parmelia perlata,Shaileyam,Stone Flowers?...
Claims & Warning:
Claims: Information this web site presented is meant for Nutritional Benefit and as an educational starting point only, for use in maintenance and promotion good health in cooperation with a common knowledge base reference...Furthermore,it based solely on the traditional and historic use or legend of a given herb from the garden of Adonis. Although every effort has been made to ensure its accurate, please note that some info may be outdated by more recent scientific developments......
Pharmakon Warning: The order of knowledge is not the transparent order of forms and ideas,as one might be tempted retrospectively to interpret it; it is the antidote....(Dissemination,Plato's Pharmacy,II.The Ingredients:Phantasms,Festivals,and Paints;138cf. Jacques Derrida.).
And as it happens,the technique of imitation,along with the production of the simulacrum,has always been in Plato's eyes manifestly magical,thaumaturgical:......and the same things appear bent and straight to those who view them in water and out,or concave and convex,owing to similar errors of vision about colors, and there is obviously every confusion of this sort in our souls.And so scene painting (skiagraphia) in its exploitation of this weakness of four nature falls nothing short of witchcraft (thaumatopoia), and so do jugglery and many other such contrivances.(Republic X,602c-d;cf.also 607c).
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Proper Special Extract Series:
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Serie No.:P055.Basic Data Sheet Download
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seminal trace...Parmelia perlata Extract,Shaileyam extract,Parmelia perlata water extract.Stone Flowers.Parmotrema chinense extract.8:1....
Basic Botanical Info of Parmelia perlata:
Lichen Uses:
Fodder uses: Lichens are used as fodder, particularly the Reindeer lichens: Cladonia raniferina, C. alperstris and C. sylvatica. Other fodder species include Cetraria, Stereocaulon and Alectoria. Cetraria islandica has been made into bread, porridge or gruel for human consumption. Lichens have been used instead of hops for brewing beer and was the basis of a large Swedish brandy industry in the 19th Century; 10 kilograms of lichen yielding five litres of 50% alcohol. Lichen dyes were renown for their high quality and colour but have largely been replaced by synthetic aniline dyes. Litmus paper was originally manufactured by the Dutch from lichens. Since the 16th century, members of the families Cladoniaceae, Stictaceae, Parmeliaceae and Usneaceae have been used as raw materials in the perfume and cosmetic industries. As manufacturing techniques improved, lichen extracts have been combined into toilet powders and scented sachets. Today the principal species still used in perfumery are Evernia prunastri (Oak moss), E. furfuracea and several Ramalinae spp.
Scientific References:
Claims & Warning:
