How to use the power of mosses

In the garden, in the home, in pet care and for skin care

Mosses have been around for 350 million years. These plants, which live in damp places, have a natural protection against mould and other fungal attack. Although they live together in direct contact with harmful organisms such as fungi or bacteria, for example on forest soil or rotten wood, they are not attacked by them. Nor do they protect themselves against infestation - as higher plants do - with wax coatings or a bark. Similarly, mosses are not eaten by snails or beetles, even though these delicate plants should be a "ready meal" for such animals.

There is a reason for this: in the course of their evolution, all mosses have developed a large cocktail of substances as a shield that protects them from bacterial infestation or animal predation. Fungal spores, for example, that get onto the moss are blocked from growing by these ingredients in the cell walls of the moss. If the mosses had not developed this protection, they would probably have died out.

This protection was already known to indigenous peoples. The Indians of North America used mosses to treat wounds, with the substances in the mosses preventing wound infections. The Maoris in New Zealand treated venereal diseases with mosses by applying wet moss pads to the affected body parts. Mosses were also used in traditional Chinese medicine. However, this knowledge has been lost here. Scientists rediscovered these effects 40 years ago. In laboratory tests, biological activity was found in 150 tested moss species.

Protecting and strengthening plants with liverwort extract ("Lebermooser")

"Lebermooser" extract is a plant strengthening agent from liverworts. It has a preventive effect against fungal diseases and bacterioses and improves plant growth.
It is a natural product that inhibits the reproduction of certain bacteria and fungi and is quickly biodegradable. Unlike fungicides such as copper broth, no residues remain in the soil. There are also no known side effects. This moss extract contains a "cocktail" of the most diverse chemical compounds. Synergistic effects of these active ingredient combinations play a major role. In contrast, individually isolated active substances are only effective against certain pests and the effect of such isolates is also not as effective.

Origin and production of liverwort extract ("Lebermooser")

"Lebermooser" is produced using a process developed at the University of Bonn which ensures optimal efficacy. The liverwort for this purpose are taken from nature in an eco-friendly way. The species are not subject to nature conservation and are therefore a renewable resource. The removal does not harm the population of the species. The active ingredients of liverwort are dissolved in 70% alcohol. The effectiveness of the extract is continuously tested by independent laboratories.

Usage examples in the garden

• Powdery and downy mildew on fruit, vegetables and ornamental plants
• Grey mould (Botrytis sp.) on strawberries, grapevines, peppers, tomatoes, lettuce, flowers
• Rust diseases on roses, fruit trees and ornamental plants
• Rose black spot disease (Marssonina rosae) on roses
• Scab disease (Venturia sp.) on apple and pear trees
• Peach leaf curl disease (Taphrina deformans) on peach trees
• White and red spot disease on strawberries

Application against fungal infestation in the garden

For plant strengthening and prevention:
Ratio 1:200 in water: prepare 5 ml of "Lebermooser" per litre of water.
Spray the diluted solution evenly onto the plants with a spray bottle (dripping wet). Repeat approx. every 10 - 14 days.

Treatment of infested plants:
Ratio 1:50 in water: prepare 20 ml of Lebermooser per litre of water.

Please note:

• The extract should be sprayed as a preventive measure. This is due to its mode of action: fungal spores and bacterioses falling on the plants are prevented from germinating. The strengthening effect on already infested plants is limited to half.
• The moss extract can be applied with a formulated plant oil, e.g. neem oil plus emulsifier. This reduces the surface tension of the water and causes the spray to spread better on the surface of the plants.
• Do not spray in rainy weather. Otherwise the spray will be washed off again. This applies not only to moss extract but to all sprays. Therefore, spray more frequently during rainy periods.
• Do not spray in strong sunshine, early morning or late afternoon is better.
• Spraying ornamental plants as well as above-ground parts of root or tuber vegetables is completely safe. Fruit plants whose fruits are eaten raw (e.g. strawberries) should be washed before consumption.
• "Lebermooser-Extrakt" is approved for organic farming and listed in the "Betriebsmittelliste für den ökologischen Landbau" (list of resources for ecological agriculture) in Germany. It is also registered with the Federal Biological Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry as a plant strengthening agent under No. LS 005102-00-00.

"Lebermooser" use in cosmetics (external use only!):

• For the prevention of athlete`s foot: foot baths with 20 ml Lebermooser per 5 litres of water.
• To prevent nail fungus: dab pure onto affected skin and nails.

"Lebermooser" use in the household

• Mould infestation on walls, wood and other utensils: 10 ml Lebermooser plus detergent per 10 litres of wiping water.
• Impregnation of insulating materials and textiles to protect against micro-fungi: 10 ml Lebermooser per sqm of treated surface.

"Lebermooser" for animal care (external use only!)

• For coat and skin care: Dilute 10 to 20 ml Lebermooser with 100 ml water and spray or dab onto coat, skin or horn. Apply 2 - 3 times a week.

Lebermooser extract is a product of the Niem-Handel.de company.