Traditional Medicinal Uses of Mosses

Abstract

The use of plants by people has a history as old as the existence of humanity. From ancient times to the present, humanity has sought solutions to diseases by making use of plants in nature. Plants that were beneficial against diseases by trial and error in the old times were recognized, used, and passed on to future generations. This process, which has been going on for centuries between plants and humans, continues as an ethnobotanical science that has been accepted worldwide today and where great resources are transferred and important researches are carried out. One of the plant groups used in the treatment of diseases is Bryophytes. Approximately 150 ethnobotanical bryophyte species are known worldwide. One of the important groups in the bryophyte division is mosses, which can live on wet grounds, in humid environments, sometimes completely submerged in water or on soil, rocks, and tree trunks in wide areas from swamps to alpine and arctic regions. Although the general characteristics of mosses vary according to different systematic schools, they are included in the Bryophyta division, which includes 1036 genera and approximately 18.409 species. Chinese and Native Americans discovered centuries ago that moss is effective in healing wounds and reducing infections in wounds. Since this discovery, mosses have been extensively studied and used in various fields. The majority of the species used are generally listed in Traditional Chinese Medicine and by Native North Americans. In this study, the use of mosses in traditional medicine is explained.

Antimicrobial and Antifungal Action of Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles in Combination with Antibiotics and Fungicides, against Opportunistic Bacteria and Yeast

“…Recent studies have shown that secondary metabolites of the S. fallax species have a pronounced antimicrobial effect [56]. The mechanism of action of this moss on bacteria has not been fully studied, but it seems to be related to a substance contained in it called Sphagnol [57].…”

Advancement of bryophytes from traditional uses to pharmaceutical applications: A review

“…The ethnobotanical uses of bryophytes have been documented in various regions, including Africa, America, Europe, Poland, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, Turkey, Japan, Taiwan, Pakistan, China, Nepal, and different parts of South, North, and Eastern India (Chandra et al, 2017;Drobnik & Stebel, 2021). Furthermore, bryophytes have been recognized for their potential pharmacological activity, with specific genera such as Sphagnum, Marchantia, and Polytrichum being commonly used in traditional medicine (Benek et al, 2022). The high levels of genetic variability in certain bryophyte species challenge the traditional view of these plants as genetically depauperate, highlighting their potential for further exploration in medicine and other fields (Wyatt et al, 1989).…”

Effects of Water–Ethanol Extracts from Four Sphagnum Species on Gene Expression of Selected Enzymes in Normal Human Dermal Fibroblasts and Their Antioxidant Properties

“…The use of various species of Sphagnum in ethnomedicine has certainly contributed to the research mentioned above and expanded knowledge about the use of this group of plants. In traditional Chinese medicine, they are used in the treatment of skin diseases, acne, eye diseases and hemorrhoids [ 18 ], while traditional Korean medicine finds them effective in treating heart pain and strokes [ 9 , 12 ]. Various facts regarding the historical usage of the genus Sphagnum in medicine and ethnomedicine were collected and described by Drobnik and Stebel in their work [ 19 ].…”

“…Antimicrobial and absorption properties allowed the effective use of these plants as early as in the Mayan Civilization [ 20 ]. Since 1880, they have also been used in Europe as wound dressings and in the prevention of gas gangrene, in particular during World War I [ 7 , 18 , 19 , 21 , 22 ]. Recent studies on species of the genus Sphagnum revealed the UV-absorbing effect of extracts obtained from various species, such as S. magellanicum Brid.…”