Ethnolichenology - Other Human Uses of Lichens

Other Human Uses of Lichens

Lichens have been and are still being used for many other purposes, including

  • Alcohol production (for fermentable carbohydrates, as catalysts, and/or as flavour/preservatives)
  • Cosmetics (for hair, and/or sweet smelling powders)
  • Perfumes (see Oakmoss)
  • Decorations (including costumes and artwork)
  • Fibre (clothing, housing, cooking, sanitation)
  • Animal feed (both fodder and forage)
  • Fuel
  • Industrial purposes (production of acid, antibiotic, carbohydrate, litmus)
  • Tanning
  • Hunting/fishing (to find prey, or to lure them in)
  • Navigation
  • Insect repellent/insecticide
  • Preservatives (for food or beer)
  • Poison (arrowheads, wolves: see Letharia vulpina)
  • Mummies (see Pseudevernia furfuracea)
  • Rituals
  • Magic.
  • Magic.
  • Tobacco
  • Narcotics
  • Hallucinogens (see Dictyonema)

Read more about this topic:  Ethnolichenology

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