Usnea Lichen, Usnic Acid Aquarium Treatment
Usnea is a lichen of the family Parmeliaceae that grows in damp temperate woodlands and contains usnic acid. I have found it effective for bacterial (gram negative and positive), fungal and even parasites such ich. A natural antibiotic it has also proven effective against gram positive bacteria, such Mycobacterium tuberculosis (making usnea a great alternative to Isoniazid). Scientists believe that usnic acid works by disrupting cellular metabolism, either by preventing the formation of ATP which is the cells' energy source or by the stopping the action of oxidative phosphorylization. Usnea may also be a better choice than the drug metronidazole (as per human studies) for parasites and anaerobic bacterial treatments in aquariums. Usnea shows promise in the treatment of Hole in the Head in cichlids, especially when combined with seperate methylene blue baths.
More information about Usnea;
Test tube studies have suggested an anti-cancer and an anti-viral activity for usnic acid. This may also make Usnea useful for the hard to treat aquatic viral disease; Lymphocystis (which is usually not fatal in otherwise healthy fish).
Symptoms of Lymphocystis:
* Whitish patches or irregular growths on the fish most commonly on the tail and fins.
* These eventually become quite large and give rise to the name Cauliflower Disease.
This remedy is still in the testing phase, but early results are promising. The Usnea Lichen is proving to be the most effective natural remedy early in my testing This lichen is boiled like a tea then added to the aquarium. The only dangers that have been established (in human studies) is in rare cases liver damage, which would make this a poor choice for dropsy.
Application:
I boil one small sprig in 6 oz. of water and add this to every 10-20 gallons of water every day until cure is effective +2 days
Related Tags: aquarium, parasites, usnea, lichen, usnic acid, aquarium treatment, anti bacterial, protozoan
By Carl Strohmeyer
http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquarium_Medication.html
http://groups.msn.com/EverythingAquatic/
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