Found in Britain, all over Europe, especially in the Arctic region. Iceland moss has been used since ancient times as a cough remedy and has also been used in European folk medicine as a cancer treatment.

In present day herbalism it is highly prized for for its strongly antibiotic and demulcent actions, being used especially to soothe the mucous membranes of the chest, to counter catarrh and calm dry and paroxysmal coughs-it is particularly helpful as a treatment for elderly people.

Iceland moss has both a demulcent and a bitter tonic effect within the gut-a combination almost unique amongst medicinal herbs.