Irish Moss 100 g, 50 g, 25 g

Irish Moss – 100 g ($19.99), 50 g ($12.99), 25 g ($8.99)

Benefits:
Sea moss is a cousin of seaweed. While there’s plenty of research data on the health benefits of seaweed, the benefits of sea moss haven’t been studied thoroughly. Still, it’s considered generally safe for consumption, and the benefits are understood to likely be similar to other seaweeds. There are many different species of plants that can be called sea moss, but we are focused on the species Chondrus Crispus which is also called Irish Moss. There is a widespread confusion concerning Irish Moss (Chondrus Crispus), which grows in colder water (Ireland, Canada, Etc) and Sea Moss (Genus Graciliaria), which grows in warmer water (ie Caribbean). Articles regularly mix these up, usually referring to Sea Moss as Chondrus Crispus. For more about this see the section below.

Nutrients  There seem to be a number of health benefits of Irish moss, but they aren’t heavily studied. Irish moss is a healthy source of certain vitamins and nutrients that can be a boon for your health. Certain species of red algae, including Irish moss, are a source of several nutrients. Some manufacturers claim that sea moss contains 92 minerals, but more research is needed to confirm this.

Among them:

• Fiber
• Calcium
• Iodine
• Zinc
• Iron
• Magnesium
• Manganese
• Phosphorus
• Potassium
• Selenium
• Vitamins A, C, D, E, and K, and several B vitamins, including Folate(vitamin B9)

The exact nutritional composition varies among algae. Researchers have yet to thoroughly understand the digestibility and bioavailability of the nutrients in sea moss. It’s unclear how much of each nutrient is absorbed from your digestive tract into the bloodstream.⁴¹²

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Data Central, 2 tablespoons (tbsp) or a 10 gram (g) serving of Irish moss contains approximately:

• calories: 4.9
• protein: 0.2 g
• fat: 0 g
• carbohydrates: 1.2 g
• sugars: 0.1 g

The same serving of Irish moss also contains these vitamins and minerals:

• calcium: 7.2 milligrams (mg)
• magnesium: 14.4 mg
• phosphorous: 15.7 mg
• potassium: 6.3 mg
• iron: 0.9 mg
• zinc: 0.2 mg
• copper: 0.02 mg
• manganese: 0.04 mg

Red seaweeds also have antioxidant properties, which may help prevent oxidative damage in the cells.

Similar to other sea vegetables, sea moss is a natural source of the mineral iodine. Research posted to the Journal of Medicinal Food notes that Irish moss contains about 47 mg of iodine per gram.

Heart Health  Seaweed is a superfood. It has a higher fiber content than most vegetables, which is a good thing for your heart and overall health. Fiber has all kinds of positive effects on your body. It can help to:

• Manage your blood sugar
• Lower cholesterol
• Lower blood pressure
• Reduce your risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease

Studies show that sea moss may help lower bad cholesterol, which is one of the factors for heart disease,. It’s also been shown to help lower blood pressure, another key factor in heart health.

Irish moss is a source of soluble fiber, which forms a gel when it combines with water. This gel slows digestion, which keeps you full for long periods and regulates bowel movements.¹³ Soluble fiber has also been shown to benefit heart health. It can decrease low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. High LDL (“bad”) cholesterol is a significant heart disease risk factor.¹⁴ Irish moss is also a source of antioxidants, which counter the harmful effects of free radicals. Free radicals are unstable atoms that may cause cell damage or oxidative stress. This cell damage can increase the risk of heart disease.¹⁵¹⁶

Weight Loss  Remember how much fiber seaweed has? High-fiber foods are filling foods, which means they may keep you from overeating. “Fiber keeps us fuller longer, which may help with weight control,”

Seaweeds may help support weight loss. In a 12-week study of 78 adults, those who took 1,000 milligrams of red seaweed extract per day had a significant reduction in total body fat mass and body weight than the placebo group.

Research posted to Marine Drugs also notes that a compound in many seaweeds called fucoxanthin shows promise in helping to break down and metabolize fat.

Weight loss effects may vary with each type of seaweed, and much of the research focuses on isolated compounds, rather than the effects of Irish moss generally.

Thyroid Function  Iodine is one of the keys to a healthy thyroid. That’s because iodine is an important ingredient in making thyroid hormones. Too little thyroid hormone can put you at risk for hypothyroidism. But your body doesn’t make iodine on its own; you can only get it through diet. Most people get enough iodine from their diet. Including from foods like dairy products, seafood and iodized salt.

Irish moss may be a good source of iodine for some people who don’t get enough through other means. But be careful not to go overboard. And never take Irish moss without a healthcare provider’s recommendation if you have a thyroid condition.

Diets rich in iodine may support thyroid health. The thyroid needs this mineral to create and use important hormones in the body. Without enough iodine, the thyroid may not function properly and could cause metabolic issues.

As a natural source of iodine, types of sea algae such as Irish moss may help prevent iodine deficiency.

Gut Health  Your digestive system is full of bacteria — both good and bad. Balancing out those bacteria is an important element for your well-being. Certain algae, including Irish moss, can help keep the good bacteria happy and healthy.

That’s because sea moss is a solid source of fiber and live bacteria. It can help replenish the good bacteria in our gut.

When your good bacteria are thriving, it can help keep your digestive tract in tip-top shape. That can mean less:

• Heartburn
• Gas
• Bloating
• Constipation
• Diarrhea

Irish moss may have prebiotic effects which could play a role in improving the health of the gut microbiome.

Research posted to BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies notes that Irish moss is rich in dietary fiber and oligosaccharides such as carrageenan. The Irish moss seemed to support gut health by feeding the healthy bacteria in the intestines.

This was an animal study, though. Researchers would need to do further human studies to support these findings.

Immune Health  Those gut health benefits extend beyond a strong stomach. A healthy gut microbiome is associated with a healthy immune system, too. What’s more, Irish moss is high in iron and antioxidants, which both contribute to immune health. The gut relates to the immune system. A diet rich in prebiotic, fiber-rich foods such as Irish moss may help promote a healthy immune system. Research posted to BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies found higher levels of immune antibodies in rats who had eaten Irish moss. Further research in humans could help support these findings.

Workout Recovery  Irish moss is rich in an amino acid called taurine, which helps with muscle-building. When we exercise, we get little micro-tears in our muscles, but amino acids can help with that recovery.

Muscle-building is also important to your workout success. And Irish moss has about 6 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Its best to not rely solely on Irish moss for exercise recovery. Irish moss may help, but it’s not a replacement for regular, healthy exercise that includes eating healthy food, staying hydrated and getting the rest your body needs.

Irish moss may play a role in helping the body recover from workouts or help relieve fatigue. A study in the Asian Journal of Medical Sciences involved 80 adults over the age of 40 with musculoskeletal symptoms. The research found that people given certain types of Irish moss had reduced fatigue, exhaustion, and pain levels. This may be due to the high levels of amino acids and total proteins present in the plant.

Women’s Health
Women may benefit from Irish moss in specific ways. For example:

1. Fiber helps regulate hormones, in addition to its weight loss and heart-health benefits. For females, that may translate to supporting regular menstrual cycles and increasing fertility.
2. Calcium can help females maintain bone density as they age. During peri-menopause and menopause, estrogen levels drop, which can affect bone health and lead to osteoporosis.

Men’s Health  Irish moss can also have specific benefits for men.
Give zinc the credit here. Zinc can support male sexual health in a few ways, including helping maintain healthy testosterone levels and potentially improving sperm quality (and, therefore, improved fertility).

There is not much formal research to back up the claim that Irish moss will promote fertility. Irish moss may make up part of fertility treatment in traditional medicinal systems, and anecdotally some people claim the algae helps their fertility. More formal research is needed to evaluate this claim.

Cancer  Compounds in some algae may help fight against specific cancers. Research posted to Cancers notes that fucoxanthin, found abundantly in some algae, may help fight against specific markers of colorectal cancer or reduce risk factors. With this said, the research focused heavily on high concentrations and extracts of fucoxanthin. More research into Irish moss itself could show if the same benefits apply.

Neuroprotective   Antioxidant properties in algae may help protect against neurodegenerative disease. Research posted to Marine Drugs found that Irish moss protected against markers of Parkinson’s disease.

Researchers carried out the study on roundworms. Further research in humans would help explore the potential neuroprotective effects of Irish moss on humans.

Hair, Skin  Some anecdotally claim that taking Irish moss regularly improves the look and feel of their skin and hair. Researchers need more evidence to support this claim.

Parkinson’s  Parkinson’s disease happens when the nerve cells in your brain that make dopamine do not work as usual. Dopamine is a chemical that aids in movement. Parkinson’s disease causes symptoms of trembling, stiffness, and poor balance.¹⁰ Sea moss is a source of amino acids, antioxidants, and proteins that protect the brain against damage. One animal study found that an extract from sea moss protected against damage to cells that produce dopamine in worms. The worms had improved movement. Human studies are needed, but these results are promising.¹¹

Botanical Name: Chondrus crispus
English: Irish Moss
Also, known as: Carragheen, Carraigin, Carrageen, Carrageen Moss, Mouse d’Irlande, Irisch Moos, Musgo, perlado, Irlandisches Moss, Jelly Moss, Felsenmoss, Gelatitung, Knorpeltang, Perimoss, and Dorset Weed
Habitat: North Atlantic at low tide shores
Origin: Canada
Harvested: Cultivated
Parts Used: Entire plant (Thallus)

General Information:
Chondrus crispus, also called carrageen, species of red algae are seaweed-like kelp or dulse, are good herbal foods Irish moss occurs both in the lower intertidal and shallow subtidal stages, in 5-25 m depending on wave action, water transparency and local topographic conditions is a tufted seaweed with thin branching fan-like fronds from 5-20 cm long. The alga is cartilaginous, varying in color from a greenish-yellow to a dark purple, when sun-dried and bleached Color of fronds varying with the period of the year and depth from white to yellowish-green in summer and n shallow water and dark purplish red in autumn and in deeper water, frequently incandescent underwater

Irish Moss has been used in Ireland since the beginning of the 19th century as a folk remedy for respiratory ailments They are effective both internally and externally for soothing dry and inflamed surfaces or membranes. Used as food for domestic animals like sheep and horses in Iceland, Norway, Scotland, and Ireland. The alga is also boiled with milk and sugar or honey and served as a drink. It was exported to New England in the USA in the mid-19th century.

It is found on rocks, stones and in tide pools. It is widely distributed and abundant, forming a thick carpet over rocks and ledges. Irish Moss is harvested as Carragheen to be used in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. It is a source of carrageenan used to make soups, jellies, etc. and as a thickening agent for sweets. Irish moss was also used as a traditional remedy for respiratory disorders. The Irish moss is the oldest seaweed industry in the USA, since 1940.

 

How to use:
We make these suggestions to help you get the best benefit from the herbs that you’re choosing to improve your health. Also we make these ideas and recommendations so that consuming them easier and better fit into your lifestyle by adding them to the food that you already eat.
For the full health benefit, it is best to consume (or use the whole herb in poultices) the whole herb. All of the compounds in the herb act best together, as nature intends. Extracts draw out the most prominent beneficial compounds and may concentrate them. What is not extracted can be helpful in ways that we do not yet understand.

Cut Pieces or Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use cut pieces or powdered herb.
Food Preparation: You can add powdered or pieces of herb (if the pieces you buy are bigger than you like, a coffee or herb grinder will quickly reduce) to any yogurt, smoothie, apple or other sauces, spreads, salads or other foods more familiar to you that don’t use heat. Heat can be damaging to the beneficial compounds in the herb. Other options like oatmeal, scrambled eggs, pasta sauce, soup, cookies and anything else that fits your lifestyle, but minimizing (by adding near the end of cooking) the heat is helpful.
Also, for children, you can mix powdered herb with honey or glycerin to make paste. The thicker the paste, the more potent and herbal in taste. The sweet taste of honey and glycerin will help medicine go down. The resulting liquid is called an electuary.
For seeds in general, but especially small seeds, it’s best to grind these to break the protective hulls a short time before consumption. This makes all the benefits available, rather than some remaining locked inside the hulls that are unbroken by insufficient chewing.
To make adding herbs even easier, you could add a week’s worth of your chosen herb(s) to an amount of, for example, yogurt that you would eat in a week. Mix thoroughly and eat this each day of the week. So you make once /week and just eat each other day.
Hot Infusion: The basic method for dried herbs and flower is, take 2-3 tablespoons of dried herb in a cup or teapot. Pour hot water over it and cover it with lid for 10-30 minutes. The heat from making tea can degrade some of the beneficial compounds in the herb. This method minimizes this effect. For the full health benefit, it is recommended to consume what is left over after making tea.
Decoctions: Decoctions are suitable for roots, barks, large seeds & berries, and other dense material. The simple way to make decoction is, in a saucepan, add 1 tablespoon of dried herbs to 1 cup of water, Bring the water to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30-60 minutes with the pot covered. Squeeze out as much as liquid as possible. Best practice is to drink the liquid and also consume the solid material that remains. Herb pieces can also be used.
Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use powdered herb.
Capsules: HerbsCrafters makes capsules guaranteed to be filled with the pure herb with no filler or any other products. You can also use powdered herb to make your own capsules at home. These capsules are best taken with liquid to aid in digestion and absorption and to ensure it doesn’t stick in your throat.
Poultice: Poultice can be made with an herbal powder and liquid (mostly water) to form a paste which is then applied to the skin. This method is very helpful for skin conditions.
Herbal shot: Powdered herb can be mixed with water, fruit juice or other liquid to make herbal shot.

Tips:
You can sweeten your herbal decoctions with bit of honey, natural fruit juice, stevia leaves powder or licorice root powder.

Precautions:
You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.
All information on this website is for educational purpose ONLY.
This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.