Seaweeds are one of the most abundant and nutrient dense food sources we have available to us. Many of us are concerned about the health and mineral content of our soils, resulting in mineral depleted vegetables, but this is not a concern with seaweeds, who absorb the vast mineral supply of our oceans. Many of us are also concerned about the supply of fish and shellfish in our oceans, and the ability for us to continue supporting our fishermen. Educating ourselves about seaweeds as food is an incredible way to support the health of Maine’s future. Seaweeds provide an opportunity for us to be in right relationship with the ocean. We don’t know what to expect for the future of the Gulf of Maine. If we take a page from our seaweed tenders like Larch Hanson and Micah Woodcock of Atlantic Holdfast and say, “Please, treat the water kindly, harvest responsibly, and say thank you,” we can count on seaweeds to be there with us along the way. Red seaweeds such as Irish Moss, Chondrus crispus, who grow below the tide line, are also protected from many of the impacts of climate change.
So why should we eat this seaweed?
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- Adds bioavailable minerals to our diet—magnesium, calcium, potassium, iron, iodine, selenium, phosphorus, etc—which support tissue relaxation, heart health, thyroid health, bone strength, and much more
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- Source of vitamins A, B2, and folate in significant amounts, along with smaller amounts of B3 and vitamin C
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- Source of dietary fiber—especially easy to digest soluble fibers such as carrageenan* that improve blood sugar and cholesterol regulation, as well as contribute to a balanced microbiome
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- Source of various antioxidants—selenium, anthocyanins, polyphenols, sterols, and more
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- Source of amino acids—an especially excellent source of arginine known for supporting cardiovascular health, stamina, and energy levels. Also includes alanine, aspartic acid, citrulline, glutamic acid, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, lysine, methionine, ornitine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, taurine, threonine, tyrosine, and valine.
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- Supports the nervous system due to amino acid profile, mineral content, and support for hormonal levels, partially due to thyroid benefits. Promising research also shows neuroprotective capabilities of Irish Moss in animal studies, showing it to prevent nerve tissue from degenerative conditions
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- Supports the gut lining and soothes digestive inflammation and ulceration due to demulcent properties—very similar to marshmallow root and slippery elm in this way
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- Soothes respiratory inflammation and thins mucous due to the same demulcent properties—an excellent choice for either acute or chronic lung concerns
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- Supports overall tissue hydration—an excellent choice for long term usage to counteract dryness in the skin and mucous membranes
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- Often chosen to support menopause due to complementary properties—iodine protecting thyroid and breast tissue, selenium supporting the thyroid, magnesium supporting the liver, adrenal glands, relaxation and much more, calcium supporting bone health, and demulcent properties rebalancing dryness
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- Supports kidney and urinary system due to anti-inflammatory, demulcent, and mineral and saccharide content. After digestion, it becomes a significant source of mannose, which is shown to prevent bacterial adhesion in the urinary tract
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- Multifactored support for cardiovascular health
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- Supports cholesterol levels due to anti-inflammatory impacts and polysaccharide content
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- Supports healthy blood pressure by directly benefiting vascular tissue, as well as promoting tissue relaxation through mineral content, amino acid content, and antioxidant content
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- Prevents unhealthy blood clotting
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- Helps support healthy blood sugar levels
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- Multifactored support for cardiovascular health
Foods and herbs cannot be boiled down to the sum of their parts—something also noted by Maine Coast Sea Vegetables. It would be impossible to fit all the benefits of this seaweed into one blog post. The complete personality of this red seaweed is cooling to inflammation, nourishing, slippery, juicy, replenishing, calming, rejuvenating, and strengthening. From an herbal perspective, it can be utilized in place of herbs such as marshmallow root and slippery elm for digestive, respiratory, and urinary purposes, but it provides more mineral, amino acid, and antioxidant benefits, making it applicable to reproductive, cardiovascular, and endocrine concerns in ways that can’t be directly compared to another herb directly. This is not a complete list of the benefits of Irish Moss. Research continues into the neuroprotective, antitumor, antiviral, antibacterial, anticoagulant, anti-stress, antivenom, renoprotective, immunomodulatory, and bio-film disrupting properties of this incredible seaweed.
History of this Beloved Seaweed
You may have heard of Irish Moss more lately due to its growing popularity, but it is not a fad. It is estimated that Irish Moss has been consumed by humans for roughly 14,000 years, and is a vital traditional food to cultures of this land and to the Atlantic coastline of Europe. It is known by many names. Here, in the Penobscot language, it is known as askáləčəss (see link in sources for pronunciation). In Ireland, it is known as caraigin, or carageen. In English, it is commonly referred to as Irish Moss due to the intense reverence for it in Irish culture, which gained popularity as it was one of the main traditional foods that supported starving Irish people during the potato famine. To this day, the Irish Aran sweater stitch called the “Irish Moss” represents wealth. No matter the culture associated with it, Chondrus crispus is an incredible food source that is not to be viewed as a passing fascination, but as important part of the health and sustainability of life along the northern Atlantic.
How do I consume Irish Moss?
Most often, Irish Moss is prepared into a gel, blending the soaked dry seaweed with water, to be added to other foods. Here at the Co-op, we add it to smoothies to impart a silky texture, along with the diverse profile of nutrients and health benefits, to our recipes. You also can use the gel to thicken desserts, fruit sauces, jellies, soups, sauces, and to bind baked goods. You can try adding it to almost any recipe and see what you like.
During acute throat and respiratory complaints, Prannie Rhatigan of Irish Seaweed Kitchen recommends combining demulcent Irish Moss gel with warming grated ginger (you could substitute ginger juice if needed), some lemon juice, and some honey. Take a few spoonfuls of this mixture in a mug, top with boiling water, and drink 2-3 times a day, until you feel better. I love this suggestion! I would add that this recommendation would greatly support our gut lining and digestive health, as well. My teacher, Katja Swift from Commonwealth School of Holistic Herbalism, recommends a similar preparation, adding cinnamon either for respiratory support or for digestive inflammation and ulceration.
The gel can also be used as a face or scalp mask, or as a wash, compress, or foment for irritated skin. Its mineral and amino acid content, demulcent properties, and vitamins such as B3, help to soothe irritation. Personally, I love it as a scalp mask when it is feeling dry, red, or flaky.
If you try something, let us know and we will share it with others who ask for support from seaweed medicine.
*Note: Carrageenan is a polysaccharide naturally occurring in algae, but can also be isolated in a lab and included as a food additive. Some people are digestively sensitive to lab-isolated carrageenan, but this sensitivity is generally not a concern from the whole food when it’s in proper relationship with other constituents.
We are not doctors. The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only. There are no state or federal authorities in the U.S. that license herbalists. The staff at Blue Hill Co-op do not prescribe, offer medical opinions, or practice medicine. Please reach out to your primary care provider or seek emergency support if you require medical care.
Continued Reading from Co-op Blog:
Source Material:
Red Seaweeds: Herb of the Week · CommonWealth Holistic Herbalism
Seaweed as Food and Medicine · CommonWealth Holistic Herbalism
Podcast 138: Accessible Herbalism for Respiratory Ailments
Podcast 063: Top 7 Herbs for Nutritionists and Dietitians · CommonWealth Holistic Herbalism
Maine Coast Sea Vegetables – Seaweed Nutritional Information
Irish Sea Moss — Atlantic Holdfast Seaweed Company
Carraigin moss remedy for a cough
