Irish moss is one of the most nutritious foods on earth. Also known as carrageen (from the Irish word carraigín meaning “little rock”) it is a species of red algae that grows in the cool Atlantic waters along the rocky coastlines of Europe and North America.
It’s also popular in Jamaica. Apart from its powerful anti-inflammatory effects, this red algae is packed with protein, fiber, selenium, iodine, potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, and zinc. As a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, iodine, iron, folate, and many other essential vitamins and minerals.
What makes Irish Moss so unique as a food additive is a carrageenan that is extracted from it. Carrageen Moss is a nutritional powerhouse with a vast array of uses.
Carrageenan is found in edible seaweeds such as Irish Moss and is responsible for the gooey, slimy texture. Benefits of the carrageenan moss include use as a vegetarian alternative to animal gelatins, a natural source of key vitamins, minerals and fiber, and as a skin emulsifier.
In its natural form, carrageenan is an effective and vastly-healthier food additive. Carrageen moss is also a rich vegetarian source of omega-3 fatty acids, which is key in reducing inflammation, mental function, and heart health.
Carrageen moss benefits include lots of nutrients, minerals and vitamins, it is capable of curing various health issues like lung disorders, thyroid malfunctions, less immunity level, ulcers, bladder issues, intestinal disorders, tumors and glandular issues.
The healthful properties of carrageen moss include Vitamins A, E, F and K, calcium, potassium and sulfur. It is also a naturally occurring source of iodine, which can be difficult to include in one’s diet through food alone.
Carrageen Moss Benefits
1. Promotes regular thyroid function
An unhealthy thyroid can cause symptoms such as tiredness, weight gain, feeling cold and many others. Fortunately, eating the right nutrients and taking medications may help reduce your symptoms and improve thyroid functions.
The most common cause of thyroid abnormalities is iodine deficiency. Iodine is one of the many minerals found abundantly in sea moss. By consuming sea moss regularly, you are directly feeding the thyroid.
2. Improves metabolism
One of the most important functions of the thyroid is to produce thyroid hormones, which directly affect your body’s metabolism rate. When your metabolism is running normally, messages get sent back and forth between your brain and your body that help determine how many calories you need. When these messages become scrambled, key hormones such as insulin go out of balance.
3. Boosts immune function
Although you may not be able to fully prevent a cold or flu this season, a healthy immune system is one way to give your body extra protection. Carrageen moss is known to have antiviral, antibacterial, anticoagulant, and antimicrobial properties.
The immune system is your body’s network of organs, tissues, and cells that work together to keep you healthy by fighting off harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi. It acts as a barrier between your body and the things that can make you sick.
4. Improves Skin Health
Most skin care products are full of harmful ingredients, toxins and chemicals. Natural and organic skincare combines essential vitamins, botanicals, and minerals which heal and restore our skin—without toxins. Used topically as a skin and hair nourisher. Sea moss can be applied directly to the skin. It works great on sunburn, dermatitis, psoriasis, and eczema.
5. Improve Joint Health
A key to joint health is minimizing inflammation. Carrageen Moss’s anti-inflammatory properties help to decrease swelling in and around the joints. In addition, it soothes the soft tissue and promotes motility. Keeping your joints healthy will allow you to run, walk, jump, play sports, and do the other things you like to do. It is great for anyone suffering from Arthritis, joint pain or even athletes desiring to speed recovery after intense workouts.
6. Aphrodisiac Properties
Carrageen Moss is high in zinc, vitamin E, and folate—all of which are necessary in producing healthy sperm. Most people don’t realize that their reproductive health system is the most fragile system in the body.
The potassium iodine in Irish Moss is also essential in maintaining a healthy thyroid, which in turn means balanced hormones. This can help both men and women enjoy a strong and vigorous sexual drive.
7. Treat Illnesses
Antiviral herbs inhibit the development of viruses. They can be used to treat infections without caution because they’re harmless and typically cause no or few side effects. Carrageen Moss has antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antiviral properties which can help guard against illness. Many antiviral herbs boost the immune system, which allows the body to attack viral pathogens.
This can be even better than attacking specific pathogens, which antiviral drugs are designed to do, because pathogens mutate over time and become less susceptible to treatment.
8. Improves Anemia Symptoms
Anemia is a condition in which you don’t have enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to the body’s tissues. Anemia symptoms can include fatigue, skin pallor, shortness of breath, lightheadness, dizziness, or a fast heartbeat. Carrageen Moss, which is rich iron helps to maintain a healthy red blood cell count, and fight this condition.
9. Boosts Energy
Carrageen Moss is its high essential mineral content. Some of the best adaptogen herbs that have been shown to boost energy and combat low energy in females and males alike include. Potassium helps our body maintain healthy mental and emotional function. A lack of it leads to anxiety, irritability, and depression
10. Improves Respiratory Problems
Carrageen moss is an expectorant it can break up mucus and help clear out the lungs of any phlegm that builds up with a common cold, alleviate inflammation of the nasal passages, ease sore throat or dry coughing, and also can treat other respiratory problems such as bronchitis and even pneumonia. It is especially effective for pulmonary (lung) complaints with its ability to absorb liquid and eliminate it from the body.
11. Helps in Weight Loss
Carrageen Moss’s iodine content helps to boost metabolism and increase energy. It’s true that metabolism is linked to weight. If you’re hoping to lose weight, understanding your metabolism can help. Your metabolism is the process your body uses to make and burn energy from food. Rev up your metabolism to gain energy and lose weight.
12. Prevents Radiation Poisoning
Radiation sickness is damage to your body caused by a large dose of radiation often received over a short period of time. Carrageen moss has been found to be very helpful with the recovery of radiation poisoning and cancer. It can absorb toxins from the bowel drawing radiation poisoning out of the body.
13. Promotes Recovery
Carrageen Moss is great for strengthening connective tissues which makes it excellent for recovery from strenuous exercise, or even more extreme injuries, surgeries, or invasive procedures.
Athletes commonly employ recovery aids to help cope with the demands of frequent bouts of physical training, minimize exercise-induced muscle soreness and help maximize the benefits of their training sessions.
Want to see another sea superfood? Check out 11 Incredible Fucoidan Seaweed Benefits