Irish Sea Moss

Sea moss, Chondrus crispus is an edible algae believed to improve many areas of one’s health, increase energy, and enhance your skin and bones. It grows in abundance on the Atlantic coastlines of North America, Europe, and in the Caribbean. While sea moss is gaining popularity among the superfoods, it has long been consumed in Ireland since the 1800’s as a survival food during the potato famine. Evidence of its use in Chinese medicine dates back to 600 BC, and has long been consumed in beverages throughout the Caribbean islands as a fortifying agent to increase and sustain stamina. Sea moss has a long history of traditional herbal uses for helping the body eliminate excessive mucus and for supporting respiratory health. Some people have flaunted it to be the perfect elixir for increasing the male libido and can help boost the fertility of women. Sea moss is a whole food packed with 92 of the 102 essential minerals needed in the body.

Top 5 Benefits of Irish Sea Moss

Better Digestion: Sea moss has prebiotic factors that can improve your digestion. The fiber content in sea moss calms inflamed tissues and brings relief from intestinal disorders. The gelatin elements of sea moss if helpful against indigestion, constipation, heartburn, nausea, and harmful bacteria.
Improved thyroid function: Iodine, a trace mineral found in sea moss plays a significant role in balancing the thyroid hormones. A deficiency in iodine can affect your metabolism, causing severe health issues such as goiter (enlarged thyroid gland), cognitive impairment, and cretinism.
Immunity Booster: During the winter, try adding sea moss to smoothies, soup or any meal as a great way to take in some antioxidants, amino acids, vitamin C and some potassium iodide that will be great in breaking mucus from the clogged airways.
Nourished skin: Since the sea moss is packed with 92 minerals, 13 vitamins, antioxidants, protein and omega fatty acids, people around the globe are widely using it as facial masks and adding it their skin care products to ease eczema, burns, and psoriasis. With thorough research, scientists concluded that sea moss contains citrulline, a compound that can improve cell growth and metabolism. This compound also possesses an amino acid that can soften the hair and generate soft glowing skin.Sea moss is rich in calcium and collagen which support bone and joint health. 
Obesity reduction: Sea moss helps control one’s appetite by filling the intestinal tract as a dietary fiber. Moreover, the iodine content present in the sea moss will kick start the metabolism, thus increasing the energy levels, which accelerates the weight loss process.
Respiratory health: With the natural sources of potassium chloride, sea moss dissolves catarrh and phlegm by soothing inflammation of the mucus membrane. These qualities help clear out the lungs and do not allow any phlegm to develop into a common cold which can potentially turn into pneumonia. Potassium chloride help supports those suffering from bronchitis, asthma, sore throat, smoker’s cough, and the flu.

How to add sea moss to your diet? Sea moss is tasteless, so it is easy to add to a favorite meal. With its gelatin-like properties, it is a great thickening agent and can replace the eggs in your bake goods, incorporate into smoothies, sauces, salad dressings, homemade ice creams, and juices. To prepare the sea moss as a gel for daily consumption, submerge the dry moss in water for 15-30 minutes to remove ocean debris such as sand. Thoroughly rinse then soak the sea moss in clean water Allow it to soak for at least four to five hours or overnight until it expands and turns almost translucent in color. Pour out the water, rinse the sea moss then blend it with a little water at a time for the desired consistency. The food processor produces a gel that has the consistency of applesauce and a blender will produce a thinner gel but will later solidify as jello.

Precautions: Though sea moss is known as a healthy super food for the human body, specific side effects may follow since it contains a high level of iodine. Too much Iodine will interfere with thyroid medication. Take precautionary measures by seeking the advice of your doctor.

Other side effects may follow:

• Severe itching
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Burning in skin