It's all over the news and social media platforms. What we grew up with and took for granted in the Caribbean is now trending for its healthy benefits. And with a reputation as being an 'aphrodisiac', how apropôs that we are show-casing this beauty as a tribute to Valentines all over, and to the month of Love. Check out the pictures below of 'regular' golden sea-moss with which you are probably most familiar. But also are pictures I took of purple and black sea-moss I was able to harvest on my recent trip to St. Lucia for my birthday!
Studies show purple sea-moss is high in anthocyanin (great anti-oxidant, promotes strong bones and healthy heart, and acts as an anti-inflammatory), while blue-green sea-moss is loaded with chlorophyll to help heal skin, boost energy and detoxify the body. The gold sea-moss which most are familiar with, is loaded with essential nutrients, helps the thyroid and soothes the digestive tract (source: The Sea Moss Guy; website: mossupyourlife.ca). Either way, regardless of the color, you can’t go wrong incorporating it into your diet; just make sure it is wild-crafted from a reliable source.
You may hear sea-moss being identified by other names including: Chondrus Crispus, Carrageen (albeit the highly processed derivative of sea-moss used as a stabilizer, thickening agent or to add texture), or plain "Irish Moss" (believed to have been introduced to the Caribbean by Irish immigrants during the 1800s). Growing up in the Caribbean, I remember the men gathering around at day's end, playing dominos, talking trash and drinking some magical punch us kids weren't allowed to have. It may have been healthy enough for us to get a small glass as a sample, but once they added Dragon Stout, Rum, Guinness or some other alcoholic modifier, it was off-limits to us kids! Mothers, grand-mothers and wives fed it to family members to help 'build them up' (aka "strong-back to enhance stamina"), and the Rastas would drink this punch (without alcohol of course), praising it for its “ITAL” (vital) benefits. Since it is often used as a thickening agent, it can be added to sauces, soups or baked goods. It can also be eaten raw, dried, or taken as a supplement in either powder or pill form, and can be found in skin care products.
Reported health benefits of sea-moss include:
a) Contains nutrients that support hormone levels (e.g. zinc, iodine, testosterone), fertility and sexual function;
b) Boosts energy;
c) Supports healthy thyroid;
d) Improves skin (creates collagen);
e) Contains pre-biotics to support digestive health; high in fiber so can help promote regular bowel movements;
f) Improves immunity (B-vitamins);
g) Has minerals like magnesium and phosphate to support blood pressure and regulate heart health, and an excellent plant source of Omega-3 fatty acids; and
g) Often included in alkaline diet and helps remove mucus from the body(ref: Dr. Sebi).
Side-effects to be aware of:
As with anything you ingest, please be aware of potential side effects and exercise caution when consuming sea-moss. For those with allergies to iodine, seaweed or shellfish, be aware of the risk of ingesting sea-moss as it does contain iodine. Also note that high iodine levels can affect the thyroid and it is not recommended for pregnant women or people on blood thinners, so please discuss with your doctor or a nutritionist.
So if your interest has been peaked by this beauty and you would like to include sea-moss in your diet, please carefully consider how your sea-moss is sourced. Allthough some recipes call for boiling the sea-moss as part of the preparation, us Die-Hards try to avoid that. It is recommended to wash any fresh sea-moss thoroughly to remove any sand, grit or dirt, and be aware it should not have an ‘off’ smell or smell like ammonia. We were blessed to visit a sea-moss farm in St. Lucia and participate in the fresh harvesting from the Caribbean Sea waters surrounding the island (Atlantic Ocean on 1 side), and I personally love the salty smell of the ocean on freshly harvested sea-moss.
Recipes include: blend until smooth and has a gel-like consistency, and refrigerate for use in smoothies, shakes or punches, or adding to recipes for its healthy benefits. Our favorite way in the Caribbean? - mixed with milk, sweetener of choice, various warm spices and - now that I’m an adult and a grown-a$$ woman - topped off with Dragon Stout or Guinness. Boom! Watch meh! :-)
In good health,
Dr. Audrey Steele, L.Ac.
Licensed Acupuncture Physician
www.Acupuncture4YourHealth.com
“Make one healthy choice every day!” (Dr. Sebi).