Sea Moss (Irish Moss)

Effects and Benefits

Core Identification

Common Names:
- Sea Moss
- Irish Moss
- Carragheen
- Carrageen Moss
- Pearl Moss

Latin Name: Chondrus crispus

Category: Herb (Seaweed)

Uses

Traditional Uses

• Respiratory ailments and coughs - Irish/European folk medicine, centuries of use
• Nutritive tonic during convalescence - Irish coastal communities
• Food thickener and nutritive food - Caribbean traditional cuisine
• Lung diseases associated with dryness and wasting - Western herbal medicine

Modern Uses

• Thyroid Support - High iodine content supports thyroid function | Research quality: Moderate
• Key findings: Sea moss contains exceptionally high iodine levels essential for thyroid hormone production; iodine deficiency is a known cause of hypothyroidism

• Source citations: Chevallier - Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine; O'Donnell - Everyday Ayurveda for Women's Health

• Respiratory Health - Demulcent and expectorant for coughs and bronchitis | Research quality: Moderate

• Key findings: Mucilage soothes dry and irritated mucous membranes; expectorant effect encourages the coughing up of phlegm

• Source citations: Chevallier - Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine; Tierra - The Way of Herbs

• Digestive Support - Relieves acid indigestion, gastritis, and ulcers | Research quality: Moderate

• Key findings: Mucilage forms a protective coating on the stomach lining, reduces gastric secretions, and promotes healthy bulky stools

• Source citations: Duke - Handbook of Medicinal Herbs; Chevallier - Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine

• Skin Health - Topical emollient for inflamed or irritated skin | Research quality: Preliminary

• Key findings: Applied externally, sea moss soothes inflamed skin due to its demulcent properties

• Source citations: Chevallier - Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine; Tierra - The Way of Herbs

• Menopausal Support - Supports metabolic changes during menopause | Research quality: Preliminary

• Key findings: High iodine content supports thyroid function during hormonal transitions; demulcent properties help with tissue dryness
• Source citations: O'Donnell - Everyday Ayurveda for Women's Health

Active Compounds

Primary Active Ingredients:
- Carrageenan - A polysaccharide that forms a protective mucilage; responsible for demulcent and blood-thinning properties
- Iodine - Essential mineral for thyroid hormone production; sea moss contains one of the highest iodine levels of any food source
- Trace Minerals - Contains 92 of the 102 trace minerals found in the human body, including potassium, calcium, and magnesium
- Protein - Contains up to 10% protein content, unusual for a seaweed
- Alginic Acid - A fiber that helps eliminate heavy metals from the body

Dosage Information

Standard Dosage:
- Form: Dried seaweed or gel
- Amount: 1-2 tablespoons of prepared gel daily
- Frequency: Once to twice daily

Therapeutic Dosage:
- Form: Dried seaweed
- Amount: 3-9 grams per day
- Purpose: Respiratory conditions, digestive support
- Duration: As needed; may be used long-term with appropriate breaks

Maximum Safe Dosage:
- Daily maximum: 9 grams dried seaweed
- Warning threshold: Monitor for signs of excessive iodine intake (thyroid sensitivity, metallic taste)

Bioavailability Notes:
- Gel form is most easily digestible and commonly used
- Dried sea moss must be soaked and blended to release nutrients
- Combining with warming spices like ginger may enhance absorption

How to Take It

Timing:
- Can be taken any time of day
- Often added to smoothies, soups, or beverages
- Best taken with food to enhance digestibility
- Allow sea moss to soak overnight before preparing gel

Synergies - What It Works Well With

Complementary Supplements:
1. Ginger - Enhances absorption and adds warming properties | Balances sea moss's cooling nature
2. Iceland Moss - Traditional pairing for respiratory conditions | Enhanced demulcent action for lung support
3. Bladderwrack - Fellow seaweed with complementary iodine profile | Comprehensive thyroid and mineral support
4. Elderberry - Immune support combination | Sea moss provides minerals while elderberry adds antiviral properties

Avoidance - What NOT to Combine With

Supplement Interactions:
1. Other iodine-rich supplements (Kelp, Bladderwrack) - Risk of excessive iodine intake | May overwhelm thyroid function

Drug Interactions:
1. Anticoagulant medications (Warfarin, Heparin, Aspirin) - Sea moss has blood-thinning properties | May increase bleeding risk | Severity: Severe
2. Thyroid medications (Levothyroxine, Synthroid) - High iodine content may interfere with thyroid hormone balance | Consult healthcare provider before combining | Severity: Moderate
3. Lithium - Iodine may affect lithium excretion | May alter drug effectiveness | Severity: Moderate

Food Interactions:
- No significant food interactions documented
- Those with shellfish allergies should exercise caution (cross-reactivity is rare but possible)

Safety Information

Contraindications:
- Hyperthyroidism or Graves' disease
- Hashimoto's thyroiditis (use with caution under medical supervision)
- People on anticoagulant therapy
- Known iodine sensitivity or allergy

Side Effects:
- Common: None at standard doses
- Uncommon: Thyroid sensitivity with excessive use
- Rare: Allergic reactions in sensitive individuals

Long-Term Use:
- Generally considered safe for extended use at moderate doses
- Recommend periodic breaks (e.g., 5 days on, 2 days off) to prevent excessive iodine accumulation
- Monitor thyroid function if using daily for extended periods
- Source quality matters: ensure sea moss is harvested from non-polluted waters to avoid heavy metal contamination

Special Precautions:
- Pregnancy: Use with caution; consult healthcare provider due to high iodine content
- Breastfeeding: Use with caution; iodine passes into breast milk
- Surgery: Discontinue 2 weeks before scheduled surgery due to blood-thinning properties
- Children: Use only under practitioner guidance

Primary Uses At-a-Glance

Primary: Thyroid support, respiratory health (coughs, bronchitis), digestive soothing (gastritis, acid reflux), mineral supplementation

Secondary: Skin health (topical), menopausal support, convalescence nutrition, immune support

Sources

Local Library:
- Chevallier, Andrew - Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine
- Tierra, Michael - The Way of Herbs
- Duke, James A. - Handbook of Medicinal Herbs
- O'Donnell, Kate - Everyday Ayurveda for Women's Health
- Bruton-Seal, Julie - The Herbalist's Bible
- Bone, Kerry - A Clinical Guide to Blending Liquid Herbs

General Knowledge:
- British Herbal Compendium
- Traditional Irish and Caribbean folk medicine