Evernia prunastri (Huds.) or oak moss, is a fungus that turns into a lichen and spreads on the branches of trees generally belonging to the Fagaceae family, including oaks.

Evernia prunastri extract is used in different industrial and pharmaceutical sectors and has a variety of applications. 

What it is used for and where

It is used in different fields and has several applications.:

• coloring the wool
• scent the environment
• fix the scents

Medical

Data obtained from this study clearly showed that Evernia prunastri methanol extract has significant anti-cancer effects that are believed to be partly due to antioxidant activity and the ability to induce antioxidants Evernia prunastri methanol extract. This is the first report indicating the anti-genetossic activities of Evernia prunastri methanol extract against various mutagenic agents (1).

This study evaluated for the first time the in vitro cytoprotective properties, based on the antioxidant activities, of the Parmeliaceae lichens Evernia prunastri and Usnea ghattensis and the mechanism of action of their major phenolic constituents: the evernic and usnic acids, respectively. In two models of central nervous system (2).

As with lichens in general, the antifungal and anti-biofilm activity of Evernia prunastri has also been confirmed (3).

Cosmetics

It is a fragrance inserted to impart a scent of mistletoe or tree. Unfortunately, it contains a known allergen:  Chloroatranol (3-Chloro-2,6-dihydroxy-4-methylbenzaldehyde). 

Safety

The patch tests with the mixes containing Evernia prunastri (oak moss) with a high content of chloratranol/atranol resulted in substantially more positive reactions than the corresponding tests with the mixes containing oak moss with a low content of chloratranol/atranol (4).

The most relevant studies on the subject have been selected with a summary of their contents:

Evernia prunastri studies

References___________________________________________________________________

(1) Alpsoy L, Orhan F, Nardemir G, Agar G, Gulluce M, Aslan A. Antigenotoxic potencies of a lichen species, Evernia prunastri. Toxicol Ind Health. 2015 Feb;31(2):153-61. doi: 10.1177/0748233712469655. 

(2) Fernández-Moriano C, Divakar PK, Crespo A, Gómez-Serranillos MP. Protective effects of lichen metabolites evernic and usnic acids against redox impairment-mediated cytotoxicity in central nervous system-like cells. Food Chem Toxicol. 2017 Jul;105:262-277. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2017.04.030. 

(3) Millot M, Girardot M, Dutreix L, Mambu L, Imbert C.  Antifungal and Anti-Biofilm Activities of Acetone Lichen Extracts against Candida albicans.    Molecules. 2017 Apr 19;22(4). pii: E651. doi: 10.3390/molecules2204065

 (4) Bruze M, Mowitz M, Ofenloch R, Coenraads PJ, Diepgen TL, Elsner P, Gonçalo M, Naldi L, Svensson Å. The significance of batch and patch test method in establishing contact allergy to fragrance mix I-EDEN Fragrance Study Group. Contact Dermatitis. 2019 Aug;81(2):104-109. doi: 10.1111/cod.13253.