Why You Should Get More Irish Moss In Your Life

What is Irish moss?

Irish moss is a species of red algae, also known as sea moss, carrageen moss or Chondrus Crispus that grows along the rocky coastlines of North America, the Caribbean and Europe. When fresh, its colours vary from a greenish-yellow through various shades of red and dark purples growing darker the deeper in water it’s found.

Photo credits: Good Food Baddie

Uses of Irish moss

The algae contains a plant-compound called carrageenan which is used industrially as a stabiliser or thickening agent in acting as a vegan substitute for gelatin and even as a fining agent in the manufacturing of beer.

At home, it’s used in a rather different way though. It’s traditionally made into a gel that can be incorporated into everything from face masks to smoothies! One of it’s best-known forms has to be Jamaican Irish Moss drink (also known as love potion as it’s thought to be an aphrodisiac), famed for its health benefits and made from plant-milk, nutmeg, cinnamon, dates and vanilla.  

The gel has recently been popularised by Alfredo Bowman, better known as Dr Sebi, a Honduran herbalist over the past few decades. 

What’s in Irish moss?

If there was ever cause for superfood status, sea moss would definitely qualify for the status. According to Good Food Baddie, ‘it contains 92 of the 102 minerals that our bodies need like zinc, iodine, iron, and more’ along with amino acids, vitamins C and A, omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants.

Irish moss benefits

Because of its naturally thick and sticky properties, it’s great at soothing and calming mucus membranes, essentially regulating the amount of mucus in our bodies. This means that it’s great for respiratory health.

It’s high in iodine, an important mineral for your thyroid which produces hormones that help regulate your metabolism, nerves and bone growth. Because of its rich vitamin and mineral content, your skin loves it and it’s a natural prebiotic so it can even help your digestive health too.

It’s also believed that its plant-based omega-3 fatty acids can help promote better general heart health too, potentially lowering the risks of heart disease. 

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