Pulmonaria shortage?

I have been using Lungwort (pulmonaria officinalis) for years to promote respiratory health, especially in the winter. I like to combine it with nettles, marshmallow root and thyme. I also find it works well with peppermint and tulsi. Here is my issue- I was buying it in the bulk dried herbs from the local co-op for years (before I got into permaculture and realized it grows locally). In the past couple of years it has been harder and harder to find, even Mountain Rose Herbs has sold out. Surprisingly when we moved to our current location (northeast USA) I found I have some Pulmonaria Officinalis growing wild in my wooded yard but was worried about over harvesting. I have tried to research if there is a shortage and I found that the lichen type Lobaria Pulmonaria (lungmoss or lungwort lichen) is in fact on the decline in Europe as it is also used medicinally but I can't find information on the flowering plant that grows here. I am thinking that a simple solution is just to plant more in my yard and help to cultivate a larger patch in which I can harvest from.

But it got me thinking, is this something that needs protected, seed bombed, is it being overused? Or has it just fallen out of favor? I think it's a wonderful herb! Here are some interesting videos on two different types of Pulmonaria!

Has anyone else used Lungwort? Do you have experience with how much you responsibly harvest?

I have not found many people talking about this plant and I just want to raise awareness and say check it out it's wonderful for your lungs and I like the taste!

Lichen is extremely sensitive to particulates and air pollution.   It doesn't seem to mind woodsmoke but houses that burn natural gas or gas furnaces tend to lose lichen downwind and when new roads go in, especially where cars idle like traffic lights will also cause tree lichens to stop growing.  Combine that with poor harvesting techniques from those who do know the uses... yep.  It's declining quickly on the island where I live - near where humans go.    

On the reverse side, when we moved to this farm, there were zero lichens on the trees here and only the more hardy rock lichens.  By taking steps to reduce road air (trees and land shaping between us and the road), and switching from gas furnaces to primarily wood smoke.  By making sure there weren't sprays (even organic ones) on the fruit trees.  These things helped the lichens grow again.  Lungwort lichen is still not common on our farm yet - it likes a moister air than our microclimate - we are getting some of the traditional lichens here again without having to bring in spores from the deep forest.   It's taken a decade and I think with a bit more microclimate control we should get some pockets of moist air for old man's beard and lungwort lichen to grow here again.  

Lungwort lichen isn't a universal aid for all respiratory illnesses.  
There are actually much better local plants like grand fir buds for overall boosting of lung and body health.  And mullian which grows as a weed and will probably be categorized as an invasive here soon.  

The first nations here used lungwort sparingly in medicine.  From those I talked with who learned directly from those who lived that life, it was more often used for external treatment like wounds when other lichens weren't available or for a specific set of symptoms, not just generic breathing issues.  

r ranson wrote:Lungwort lichen isn't a universal aid for all respiratory illnesses.  
There are actually much better local plants like grand fir buds for overall boosting of lung and body health.  And mullian which grows as a weed and will probably be categorized as an invasive here soon.  

The first nations here used lungwort sparingly in medicine.  From those I talked with who learned directly from those who lived that life, it was more often used for external treatment like wounds when other lichens weren't available or for a specific set of symptoms, not just generic breathing issues.  

I should have clarified, I live in the Northeast USA and I don't think we have lungwort lichen, I was referring to searching for Pulmonaria Officialnis which is a little flowering plant in the first video. I am actually really interested how the two are even related as they seem so very different. And maybe only the name is related and I am confused? I did read that the lichen is actually a symbiotic relationship between 2 or 3 different things.
That is interesting about the other local (to you) plants that are better for lung health, I'd like to learn about more near me as well if my type of Pulmonaria is dwindling. I know mullein is a good one that grows wild here as well. I am fascinated by both of these plants and that makes sense first nations people used them externally, I did read about that as well. I think maybe I am linking the two plants when they only share part of their name?

r ranson wrote:
On the reverse side, when we moved to this farm, there were zero lichens on the trees here and only the more hardy rock lichens.  By taking steps to reduce road air (trees and land shaping between us and the road), and switching from gas furnaces to primarily wood smoke.  By making sure there weren't sprays (even organic ones) on the fruit trees.  These things helped the lichens grow again.  Lungwort lichen is still not common on our farm yet - it likes a moister air than our microclimate - we are getting some of the traditional lichens here again without having to bring in spores from the deep forest.   It's taken a decade and I think with a bit more microclimate control we should get some pockets of moist air for old man's beard and lungwort lichen to grow here again.  

That makes sense about the lichens being so sensitive and it's amazing that they are coming back after you have taken measures to shield them from pollution!

I suspect https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doctrine_of_signatures might have something to do with it.  

The idea is that the divine grants us clues in the natural world.  Plants look like parts of the body are used to treat ailments in that place.  The Doctrine of Signatures is the Medieval European take on this idea, but it's common in almost all cultures.  

It wouldn't persist if the plants didn't do something good and... reaching deep into my memory here ... I think there's a specific ailment of the lungs that resembles the leaves of the lungwort plant.  Can't remember what it is, but there were period (late medieval) accounts we had to read in uni of this plant being used for treating it.  

There seems to be a renewed interest in the Doctrine of Signatures over the last 30 years as a source for new medicines.  

In my experience in moist zone 5 the lungwort plant is easy to grow and tends to spread. So I recommend planting it in your yard and soon you will likely have plenty. I don't have experience using it medicinally but do enjoy its presence.