Our earth offers so many delicious and life-giving vegetables that we often forget there are also vegetables in the sea that are immensely beneficial for our health. One such vegetable is Irish sea moss – a rockstar detoxer of heavy metals, radiation, and toxins as well as a powerful nourisher of minerals and vitamins that support the immune system.
Check out how this fabulous Atlantic sea vegetable can help transform your health, plus my favorite method of incorporating it into my family’s diet.
6 Benefits of Irish Sea Moss
INCREASES IMMUNITY & HELPS RECOVER FROM ILLNESS
Packed with over 90 minerals and a host of vitamins, including Vitamin C, Irish moss is a fantastic support for your immune system and general health. It also effectively dissolves mucus and congestion in the respiratory system due to being rich in potassium iodide. This sea moss also contains amino acids, antioxidants, and antiviral and antimicrobial properties that help ward off infections.
REMOVES HEAVY METALS AND RADIATION
Atlantic sea vegetables are fabulous for this! It is known that sea vegetables such as irish moss and dulse bind to heavy metals such as mercury in the ocean. Many are worried that the heavy metals will be released into the body if these sea vegetables are eaten – however, this is not the case. In fact, they soak up heavy metals and radiation in the body and don’t let go until they have exited the body. Irish moss and dulse will hang out by the colon and make sure the toxins and metals leave your system. As we are exposed to heavy metals and radiation daily, Irish sea moss makes a wonderful addition to your daily regimen.
NOURISHES YOUR SKIN, HAIR, & NAILS
Rich with minerals and vitamins, Irish moss uniquely nourishes your skin, hair, and nails. Its gelatin-like quality makes a great base for homemade lotions and salves (see one recipe below) that can be used to treat eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis and burns. A compound in Irish moss has been linked to be anti-aging and able to renew cell growth and metabolism. Not to mention, all the antioxidants – which are your best friend for great skin. And guess what? Irish moss also has benefits for the bones, tendons, ligaments, connective tissue, and teeth!
AIDS DIGESTION
Similar to aloe, not only does Irish moss’ gelatinous texture help your external skin, hair, and nails, it also helps internally with the digestive system. It soothes the digestive tract and other mucus membranes in the body (including the respiratory system). In fact, sea vegetables have been found to act as a prebiotic and improve gut microbiota.
IMPROVES THYROID FUNCTION
Iodine is prevalent in sea vegetables, including Irish moss, and has an important regulatory factor in thyroid function. Irish moss has a few different iodine compounds, including ones that can treat thyroid dysfunction and regulate hormones that your thyroid creates to impact mood, energy, metabolism, digestion, and more. Due to its radiation-absorbing properties, Irish moss can also help prevent and resolve hypothyroidism and protect other glands in the body.
BOOSTS ENERGY & MOOD
When your body is low on essential minerals like magnesium and potassium, your energy and mood can take a downturn. Irish moss is rich in both of these mood-boosting minerals; plus, it also creates electrolytes to help assist your body with handling stress. Sea vegetables are particularly beneficial for the endocrine system, helping regulate hormones that can dictate your mood. Additionally, preliminary studies have found Irish moss to aid with Parkinson’s disease, suggesting it protects brain tissue.
A Note About Carrageenan
Carrageenan is a food additive that is derived from seaweed and mixed with acids to be used as a thickening agent. Carrageenan has been linked to increased inflammation, diabetes, cancer, and gastrointestinal problems. The food industry posits that there are “good” (undegraded) and “bad” (degraded) carrageenan, but independent studies have found from the manufacturer’s own data that both are harmful for health. Because many people have poor reactions to carrageenan (such as headaches, digestive issues, body aches, inflammation, etc), seaweed gets a bad reputation and people avoid seaweed altogether. When we start playing around with nature – extracting only certain parts and adding other man-made elements – it can create something that can make us sick or have detrimental effects. Why not just use sea moss itself as a thickener, as a whole plant in its most synergistic form – the way nature intended it to be?
Here’s how:
Ways To Use Irish Moss
So how do you incorporate this amazing sea vegetable into your diet or self-care regimen? Keep in mind, Irish moss tastes mildly like seaweed. It can make a great flavor enhancer or be easily hidden among other ingredients. Here are some ideas:
- Smoothies (hidden taste)
- Soups, sauces, and other dishes (flavor enhancer/thickener)
- Pies, pudding, homemade ice cream, and other desserts (as a thickener)
- As a salve for the skin
- And more! Get creative and experiment!
HOW TO PREPARE IRISH MOSS
This recipe is so flexible and can be used in a variety of ways. Here is how I prepare Irish moss for my family:
Ingredients:
- 1 package of Irish moss (8 ounces)
Pure filtered water for soaking, plus more for blending
Instructions:
- Empty the package into a large bowl and add enough water to cover. Let sit for 24 hours.
- Drain and rinse well. Transfer to a blender and fill with pure water about halfway up the moss.
- Blend. Transfer to a glass airtight container such as a mason jar. This initial texture is great to add to pies, or you can refrigerate for a few more hours to have it firm up and become more solid.
- Keep stored in the fridge for 2-3 weeks.
Notes: I give my family about 1-2 tablespoons per person a day, usually in a smoothie. This recipe makes two and a half mason jars that are 32 ounces each (so roughly 80 ounces).
IRISH MOSS LOTION
This recipe comes from Janice Cox in her book “Natural Beauty At Home”.
Ingredients:
- Organic powdered Irish moss
- 1 cup distilled water
- ¼ cup aloe vera gel
- 2 tablespoons almond oil*
Instructions:
- Soak Irish moss in distilled water for 20 minutes. Pour mixture into a small saucepan and boil for 20 minutes. Strain off solids; you will have a clear jelly.
- Measure ¼ cup of the seaweed jelly, then mix it with the aloe vera gel. Let the mixture cool completely.
- Pour seaweed mixture into a blender and blend on low speed; slowly add the almond oil in a thin stream until blended. You will have a light, white lotion.
- Pour lotion into a clean container. To use, massage a small amount into your skin.
*You can use my coupon code amberbodilyhealth at checkout to receive a 10% discount.
I hope you enjoy the benefits of Irish moss!
Blessings,
Amber
P.S. Curious on what else you can do to strengthen your immune system? Make sure you are on my email list to find out more about my upcoming online course! Plus, get a free ebook on immune-boosting smoothies when you join.
Prepared Irish Moss
Ingredients
- 1 package of Irish moss 12 ounces
- Pure filtered water for soaking plus more for blending
Instructions
-
Empty the package into a large bowl and add enough water to cover. Let sit for 24 hours.
-
Drain and rinse well. Transfer to a blender and fill with pure water about halfway up the moss.
-
Blend. Transfer to a glass airtight container such as a mason jar. This initial texture is great to add to pies, or you can refrigerate for a few more hours to have it firm up and become more solid.
-
Keep stored in the fridge for 2-3 weeks.
Recipe Notes
I use this brand of Irish Moss.
I give my family about 1-2 tablespoons per person a day, usually in a smoothie. This recipe makes two and a half mason jars that are 32 ounces each (so roughly 80 ounces).
