Benefits AND Uses – For millennia humans have prized seaweed as a nutritional food. In fact, sea moss or Irish moss was a superfood before anyone knew what that was. Today, its popularity—and notoriety—has resurged, but why? Can sea moss be a beneficial part of your wellness regimen, and if so, why? Is Irish moss good for you as everyone says?
Even the most ancient superfoods get their trendy moments. For sea moss, it came when Kim Kardashian and a sea moss smoothie graced Instagram. You can definitely get your Irish moss on via smoothie, but that’s really just the tip of the iceberg. You’ll find sea moss in facial masks and body lotions, prized for its soothing qualities. You’ll also see it in whole dried form and in capsules (SEE OUR SHOP) and powders, slightly yellowy-green, usually. Sea moss fans claim that using the plant can boost immunity, calm digestion, improve skin health, soothe respiratory illnesses, and strengthen joints. But could Irish moss really live up to the hype? My feelings are yes as I take this personally most days.
Sea moss is an edible North Atlantic seaweed. The edible portions come from the dried thallus of a species called Chondrus crispus found on the rocky Atlantic coasts of the British Isles, the EU, and North America. Also called carrageen from the Irish “carraigín” for “little rock”, this variety of red algae yields a gummy substance. In fact, this is one of the reasons it is so widely used today. Many laypeople have used Irish moss to enhance their skin and boost their health, although there is no significant science supporting its benefits. This doesn’t mean they don’t exist, however.
One reason the science isn’t there may be that it hasn’t been done. Experts do conclude that various cultures have used sea moss as a folk medicine for generations—and that as a plant it has some inherent medicinal advantages. In some places, principally the British Isles and the Caribbean, people still use sea moss to fight off colds and respiratory illnesses by boosting their immune systems. Today, most don’t just eat Irish moss straight. Instead, they use it to create a gel by boiling the dried or raw sea moss in water—as a thickening agent, the result is a sticky gel. Often in the Caribbean, people also serve Irish moss boiled like tea and mixed with sweetened milk, cold. Of course, most modern users consume Irish moss in pill or powdered form.
The Health Benefits of Sea Moss Okay, let’s break down the health benefits of sea moss in more detail. Thyroid Support Tri-iodothyronine (T3) is a thyroid hormone that occurs naturally in the body. It eventually breaks down into DI-Iodothyronine (DIT), which occurs in brown sea moss in abundance and which doctors use to treat thyroid disorders. Thyroxin (T4), another thyroid hormone, and T3 are the primary iodine compounds in a few seaweeds—including sea moss. For these reasons, Irish moss treats thyroid disorders effectively. In addition, iodine fuels thyroid hormone production and is highly concentrated in Irish moss.
Sea moss is also rich in selenium, another important metabolic factor. A healthy thyroid function helps improve mood, digestion, and more. It’s not that surprising that iodine-rich Irish moss is so prized for boosting energy levels based on thyroid alone, but that’s not all it does.
Sea moss also contains folate (B9) and riboflavin (B2). Both contribute to energy levels overall as they assist the body in forming red blood cells and genetic material, and breaking down carbs, fats, and proteins.
Emotional/Mental Health. Rich in potassium, sea moss helps the cells of the body function optimally. Adding sea moss and other high-potassium foods into your diet can notably improve mental functioning, particularly for people suffering from ADHD. High-potassium foods are also useful for treating hyperactivity, anxiety disorders, depression, fibromyalgia, and mood swings. Irish moss can also reduce stress and support the nervous system because it is an excellent source of B vitamins. Sea moss also has a neuroprotective effect against Parkinson’s disease and neuro-degeneration, protecting the brain from accumulating too much α-synuclein protein.
In addition, sea moss contains the phytonutrient algin, which can help our existing detoxifying tissues remove heavy metals from our bodies.
Digestive Health Like aloe, chia seeds, and okra, sea moss is a mucilaginous food. Yes—that means it has a slimy consistency, but that also means it can serve as a healing and soothing agent for mucous membranes anywhere in the body. That includes the membranes in the internal digestive tract.
As a prebiotic, Irish moss increases the colon’s production of helpful short-chain fatty acids, improves overall gut immunity and health, and reduces detrimental gut bacteria specifically.
Immune Support~ Sea moss may help prevent or relieve symptoms of flu or colds. It does two things naturally that you’d hope a cough syrup, cold medicine, expectorant, and antibiotic combination might do: fight congestion and phlegm, and boost immunity to infections. Irish moss is rich in the nutrient potassium chloride, which helps to eliminate catarrhs—phlegm and inflammation in the mucous membranes. By reducing these sources of congestion and acting as a natural antiviral and antimicrobial agent, sea moss may help to battle infections and respiratory illnesses.
For all of these reasons, something with a shot of sea moss such as a smoothie (EMPTY 2 OF OUR CAPSULES INTO YOUR SMOOTHIE MIX) might become your go-to during cold and flu season and when infectious diseases are raging. This kind of Irish moss supplement or treat loads you up with potassium iodide, to help your body open airways and dissolve phlegm. It is also rich in antioxidants, amino acids, vitamin C, and other antimicrobial and antiviral agents that can help you ward off respiratory illnesses: Bronchitis, Chest coughs, Cold, Flu, Mucous, Pneumonia, Sore throat, and Tuberculosis.
Sea Moss May Nourish Your Skin. Sea moss, once transformed into sea moss gel, is basically a natural gelatine-like substance filled with minerals and vitamins useful in treating burns, dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis. It also contains citrulline–arginine, a compound that can improve metabolism and cell growth. Irish moss can also support softer skin and hair by aiding the body in producing collagen. It does this because citrulline–arginine releases amino acids critical to synthesizing collagen and protein.
Our Natural Solutions Sea Moss is a non-GMO. Certified Organic, and contains Potassium, Calcium, Iodine, and Natural Vitamins A, B, D, E & K.
Sea Moss for the Skin.”How to use Sea Moss Topically ~ To start reaping the benefits of sea moss on behalf of your skin, make some of this silky lotion.
Sea Moss Lotion recipe: 2 tablespoons sea moss,(8 of our capsules opened) 2 cups distilled water; 2/3 cup aloe vera gel; 2 tablespoons almond oil; 1 tablespoon coconut oil; 1 tablespoon olive oil; several drops essential oil, such as tea tree if desired (optional). Soak sea moss in distilled water for 30 to 60 minutes. Boil for 30 to 40 minutes in a deep saucepan. Strain off solids to reveal a transparent seaweed jelly. Combine ½ cup of the seaweed jelly and the aloe vera gel (you should have a little extra Irish moss gel). Allow the mixture to cool. Blend sea moss/aloe mixture at low speed. Slowly add the almond oil, coconut oil, and olive oil one by one in thin streams until blended. You will end up with a smooth, light lotion. Store it in a clean jar.
Final Note:-What Nutrients Are in Sea Moss? Whole food sea moss is filled with beneficial antioxidants, nutrients, and vitamins. Along with foods like salmon rich in omega-3s, blueberries, walnuts, and kale, Irish moss deserves a reputation as a superfood. So, what does sea moss do for your body? Sea moss is a well-known naturally occurring iodine source, making it a resource for people suffering from thyroid disease. Iodized salt is the most common source of iodine in most Western diets, making it tougher for people needing to eat less sodium for medical reasons to get enough iodine in their food. Irish moss is also rich in potassium chloride, which is why it works wonders in breaking up mucous and congestion by helping dissolve inflammation and phlegm in the mucous membranes called catarrhs. It also holds anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties important for battling respiratory illnesses.Sea moss is rich in vitamins A, E, F, and K. It is also a good source of minerals such as potassium and calcium that aid in absorption. You can see, then, why people traditionally prize sea moss for treating dry skin and other skin issues such as psoriasis and eczema. Irish moss moisturizers, creams, masks, and lotions are all popular.
The active constituents of sea moss are as follows. The majority of sea moss—about 55 percent—is a mucilaginous body. Another approximately 40 percent is polysaccharides and albuminoids, with the remaining 5 percent or so composed of mineral matter including calcium, iodine, potassium, magnesium, and sulfur.
What Are the Traditional Health Benefits of Sea Moss? Remember: this is not medical advice. Refer to our disclaimer above.
What is Sea Moss used for? There are two basic ways that people use sea moss. One area focuses on beauty and skin and may endorse either or both topical or edible use of Irish moss. The other centers upon immune support and is mostly focused on ingesting sea moss. One of the greatest benefits of eating sea moss, as mentioned above, is that it can soothe your digestive tract. Irish moss supports gut health and digestion as a prebiotic, a kind of dietary fiber that assists healthy bacteria—probiotics—to grow in your gut. It’s also a tremendous natural source of soluble fiber, meaning that sea moss dissolves in water to form a gel that helps move stool through the digestive system and keeps you feeling full. Irish moss may seem gross because of its thick, sticky consistency. But it actually is tasteless, and pretty easy to add to many foods, so long as they can stand to get thicker. Sea moss is low in calories, 49 for every 100 grams, so it remains a low-calorie, high-impact source of fiber. Additionally, sea moss benefits are that it soothes respiratory illness and boosts the immune system. Many of the same factors that enable it to soothe inflamed GI tissues allow it to calm respiratory tissues. Also, sea moss boasts immune-heightening essential minerals such as zinc, iron, phosphorus, and magnesium. And its prebiotic effects also boost immunity by improving the gut microbiome. Irish moss is rich in iodine, itself a thyroid super fuel.
It is therefore critical in assisting in brain and bone development during pregnancy and childhood and the regulation of metabolism throughout life. Iodine also promotes normal breast tissue development. Finally, sea moss is rich in important minerals such as folate. As always, consult a nutritionist before making radical changes to your diet.
More Benefits of Using Sea Moss Topically. Sea moss can help with aging skin and acne because it has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. It can also reduce inflammation and reduce microorganism populations on the skin because it is rich in sulfur. Minerals and vitamins such as magnesium, vitamin A, and vitamin K as well as omega-3 fatty acids promote optimal skin cell function and help hydrate the skin. Topical use allows healthy skin to absorb minerals and vitamins directly.
Is Sea Moss Bad For You? These are exciting benefits! But even so, there is not much solid science out there supporting them, even though the fans of this sea vegetable are serious about their position. Of course, there’s not much research on Irish moss generally, and that is in line with other algae. It was a favorite herb with Dr. Sebi, for those who have heard of this amazing herbalist.
It’s not that easy to identify the nutritional properties of Irish moss in a definitive way because minerals and vitamins vary by season and location. In addition, it’s difficult to determine how the body metabolizes and absorbs the nutrients in algae. Nevertheless, as with other folk medicine, superfoods, and natural remedies, time usually tells. Sea moss has been part of a health and wellness routine for longer than it had that name, so it is likely that some users do experience benefits.
Sea Moss and Pregnancy ~ As with anything else, without guidance from a doctor, you should assume that you should not use sea moss during pregnancy or lactation.
What Are the Side Effects of Sea Moss? Consult your doctor before using anything new, including sea moss, particularly if you take pharmaceutical drugs or have a medical problem or a health condition. Too much iodine can inflame the thyroid gland and even cause cancer. Iodine overdose can cause nausea, fever, vomiting, and coma. Do not take an iodine supplement and Irish moss at the same time.
My final thoughts are — this amazing superfood will enhance your life, and health, which is my reality as I take it daily. Just be cautious if you are taking big Pharma meds, especially for your thyroid. I would then say do not take this herb.