What's in Xanthoparmelia?
A number of chemicals are found in this lichen including epipolythiopiperazinediones. Xanthoparmelia in bulk powder form is a brownish color, and the taste is not bitter.

How does Xanthoparmelia work?
We have not come across any studies that indicate how (or if) xanthoparmelia scabrosa works in helping with erections, libido, or sex organ engorgement or any other aspect of sexuality.

Xanthoparmelia Caution
I have only come across one study regarding xanthoparmelia scabrosa (see below) and it concerns me since there may be toxins in this lichen, but at the same time these toxins are able to kill cancer cells. So, not much can be said for sure till we have at least a couple of more studies.

Summary
At this point we are not in a position to recommend the use of xanthoparmelia until more is known regarding its toxicity. There are many sexual enhancing herbs or Viagra alternatives and products that work well, including Deer-Antler-Velvet product, Tongkat-Ali extract LJ100 herbal extract, tribulus terrestris extract  and extract from the herb Mucuna-Pruriens.

Xanthoparmelia Research study, caution
Evidence that the lichen-derived scabrosin esters target mitochondrial ATP synthase in P388D1 cells.
Moerman KL. Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2003 Aug 1;190(3):232-40.
Scabrosin esters, which have been recently isolated from the lichen Xanthoparmelia scabrosa, belong to the epipolythiodioxopiperazine (ETP) class of secondary metabolites characterized by possession of a reactive disulfide bond. Colony forming assays show that these toxins are active against human tumor cell lines at nanomolar concentrations. Other members of the ETP class of toxins such as gliotoxin have been shown to induce apoptosis in cells, although the cellular target(s) of the ETP toxins is currently unknown. ETP toxins have been shown to inhibit a variety of enzymes via interaction with sensitive cysteine residues. Here we show that the typical scabrosin ester acetate butyrate induces early mitochondrial membrane hyperpolarization assessed by JC-1 staining accompanied by apoptotic cell death. The toxin lowers ATP in intact cells and inhibits the rate of ATP synthesis in permeabilzed cells. Comparison with the effects of the known ATP synthase inhibitor oligomycin B is consistent with ATP synthase as an early target in scabrosin ester-induced cell death.

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Q. I see some herbal libido boosting supplements with tongkat ali and xanthoparmelia, along with yohimbe. Do these products work?
   A. It is difficult to say whether an herbal libido boosting product works by just looking at the supplement fact panel. One has to try it for several days to know.