Irish Sea Moss – Chondrus crispus
“Miracle from the sea”
Irish sea moss, also known as carrageen moss is a relatively small seaweed, rarely exceeding 20cms in length that grows by clinging to rocks in the intertidal zones. It grows mainly along the rugged Atlantic coasts of Europe and North America. The name “carrageen moss” may derive from the Gaelic word, “carraign”, meaning little rock, as there is a location, bearing the same name, not far from the sea, in Co. Galway, where there is an abundance of sea moss.
Seaweeds such as Irish sea moss have been used for centuries as food and medicine in the British Isles and Ireland, and during times of crisis it has even helped save lives. During the great Irish potato famine for example, the people living on the western and southern coasts of Ireland used Irish sea moss as an abundant and nutrient rich food supplement when little else was available. The habit of using sea moss as a food supplement spread to America and the West Indies, where it is still popular as a tonic and restorative agent.
Analysis of Irish sea moss reveals why it became such a powerful dietary tool. It contains protein, carbohydrates and polyunsaturated fatty acids along with an array of vitamins and minerals. No wonder it saved lives…it’s an almost complete food by itself! The protein consists of a broad array of amino acids such as arginine, ornithine, citrulline, glutamic acid, taurine, tyrosine and lysine. The minerals include magnesium, calcium, zinc, iron and iodine. Vitamins include beta-carotene and vitamin E. The fatty acids consist of Omega-3, 6, 9 and 7 polyunsaturates, and even EPA that is normally found in fish oil! There are also powerful antioxidant phenolic compounds in Irish sea moss such as the catechins which are also found in green tea and red wine for example.
The carbohydrate fraction of Irish sea moss is most interesting as it has spawned a whole industry by itself. Within this fraction of the plant we find polysaccharides such as carrageenan, the famous thickening and gelling food additive used world-wide, and mucilages which are thick, slimy substances (also found in marshmallow and psyllium seeds). Polysaccharides are also found in the immune stimulating mushrooms such as Reishi etc., and we also see the seaweeds used throughout history for conditions where immune boosting would help If we look at the medicinal uses of Irish sea moss through time we find an amazing story, stretching back millennia.
During World War 1, for example, the seaweeds were used as antiseptic dressings due to their iodine content which kills germs, and the mucilage content soothes inflammation and stimulates healing. A liquid version was given to gassed soldiers to ease throat inflammation. Throughout history Irish sea moss has found a place in the treatment of all manner of chest and respiratory infections, from TB to bronchitis. With its broad spectrum anti-microbial effect it has found use in a number of viral and bacterial infections…even during the covid-19 pandemic. This antimicrobial effect extends to the treatment of gut infections and together with the mucilage content Irish sea moss can soothe all manner of gut inflammatory conditions, ulcers and acid reflux. The mucilages are also useful for delaying the absorption of fats and sugar from the gut and so may help high blood sugar problems and cholesterol/ arterial problems as well as feeding the gut bacteria needed for healthy gut function. The bioavailable iodine content means that Irish sea moss can be used to nourish the thyroid gland.
Apart from its internal use, seaweeds have been used externally and as cosmetic ingredients for centuries, providing an anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory restorative and healing agent for the skin and hair. With all these uses it is quite clear to see that Irish sea moss is indeed a ‘miracle from the sea’.
Our Irish sea moss extract is made using traditional hot water, maceration and percoltion procedures and is totally free from alcohol, sugar, gluten, lactose and all other unnecessary and unwanted additives.
CAUTION:
Do not take Irish sea moss if you are allergic to seafood, shellfish etc.
If you are taking medication for an over active thyroid (hyper-thyroidism) consult your health care practitioner before taking Irish sea moss
