What Can Irish Moss Do For You?
When you think of Ireland, you think of lager and hills, whiskey barrels, romantic castles and…moss? Yes, Irish sea moss benefits are boundless and it gets its name from the Emerald Isle.
First, let’s tell you a little bit about what it actually is and then we’ll let you in on the secret.
Irish moss is also known as “carrageen” which can be translated to “little rock” or, if you want to get technical, you can call it by its scientific name, “Chondrus Crispus”.
The moss is actually a type of red algae and it tends to grow in waters that are a little cooler like in the Atlantic Ocean along the shores of northern Europe and North America.
The Irish have been harvesting this plant and exploiting its health benefits for many years, so the rest of the world is behind the curve but catching up quickly!
Irish sea moss benefits and what does it do
The vitamins and nutrients in Irish moss make it one of the most quickly trending superfoods in the world. Kale, blueberries and others are rich with antioxidants and this lovely plant is not far behind!
Sea moss benefits are so far and wide that it can be used in things other than food to benefit your skin or breathing.
VITAMINS
Irish moss is loaded with Vitamins A, E, F and K, all of which have a significant impact on your body.
- Vitamin A can support eyesight, a healthy immune system and reduce certain types of cancer.
- Vitamin E is even more important for your eyesight and reproductive health, but it can also be used to treat Alzheimer’s and liver disease.
- Vitamin F is a combination of fatty acids that contribute to brain health, hair and skin health as well as immune system functionality.
- Vitamin K is our natural defense against blood clots and high blood pressure because it prevents the accumulation of minerals in your arteries.
MINERALS
Outside of the vitamin dosage, Irish moss also has a plethora of minerals to provide you.
- It is rich with calcium, which not only supports healthy and strong bones but has also been linked to cancer prevention and warding off diabetes and high blood pressure.
- Potassium is also found in this superfood, and this mineral is one of the most plentiful minerals in the body. It is essentially an electrolyte and helps fluid movement and nerve functionality remain steady. It can be found both in your bones and muscles, and it can have a big impact on muscle contractions.
- The sulfur that is also found in Irish moss can support the cleansing process of your body. It exists in all tissue, making it also a highly present mineral in the human body. It has antibacterial properties that can reduce acne but it also helps us shed our dead skin cells. It can reduce infections but also unclog arteries, so this mineral is extremely versatile for your health!
- One mineral that can benefit your health a lot is iodine, and it can be hard to find in regular foods but it is present in abundance when you eat Irish sea moss. Iodine can be used to prevent or treat thyroid issues, so eat up and keep those problems at an arm’s length!
How Do I Use It?
There are two ways to incorporate Irish moss into your diet so that you can absorb all of the delicious morsels of healthiness that were previously discussed. Some people use the leafy bunches but others use it in powder form, but either way, it will get you all of the superfood superpowers!
If you use the moss in powder form, it has some interesting properties. It can thicken up a soup or a smoothie so try adding it to your next chicken noodle. It is easy to hide the flavor in dishes like this, so be adventurous and toss it in!
Now, if you are feeling extra adventurous then there are other ways to eat this with a little less help in masking the taste.
You can use Irish moss to make salads or other snacks that utilize seaweed. This embraces all of the salty sea-like flavors that can exist in the plant so be prepared to taste something a bit out of the ordinary. If you like the taste of seaweed, though, then you are probably not going to be shocked at all!
One easy way to cut the taste and eat up all of the healthy goodness of Irish moss is by using it in sweets. Desserts have sugar but also have flavorful items like vanilla extract, cinnamon or honey that tend to overpower faint tastes like with the Irish moss.
These are a great way to bury the notes of the sea that live in this superfood without sacrificing on the health.
Final Thoughts: Irish sea moss benefits and how to use it
Irish moss actually has non-food related benefits as well. It has antibacterial and antiviral properties so it can be utilized to treat various ailments.
The potassium chloride can help with chest congestion and the buildup of mucous, so try it out when you have a cold or flu. The powder form of the plant can also be added to lotions or body oils for people who are dealing with dry skin or skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis.
This superfood can easily speed up to the front of the line with how many different ways it can benefit the human body. With all of the amazing opportunities to put it into your food or drink, there are still even more ways to absorb it through skin and hair products.
Now that we have given you the entire list of ways that you can start adding Irish moss to your list of must-haves, we look forward to hearing your stories about how it has impacted your health!