[in Chinese with English abstract: ] Utilization of edible and medicinal lichen in China has a long history. Textual research of Chinese ancient and modern literatures and investigation of folk usages proved that lichen species used as medicine in China totalled 130 species belonging to 16 families and 43 genera, and as food 31 species belonging to seven families and 14 genera. A proposal concerning protection of the species with narrow distribution in special ecological environment, having important scientific significance is put forward. Key words: lichen; medicinal use; edible species; resource investigation.