Medicine from the sea.
I grew up in Nova Scotia. A part of me is always somewhere beyond the land onto the sea. Here in landlocked Ontario, it is easy to forget about medicine from the sea. The ocean is ineffable. Unless you have stood on the shore and watched the waves crash upon the rocks, felt the fine mist of water upon your check, and smelled the salt in the air there can be no true knowing of the sea.
“The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” Jacques Cousteau
Seaweeds are macroalgae. 3 main kinds – brown, red, and green. Each kind contains any number of species. As examples for brown, we can think of
kelp
bladderwrack
kombu
For red – dulse comes to mind and for green a good example would be chlorella.
I want to focus on the brown seaweeds today and in particular bladderwrack – Fucus vesiculosus.
As medicine from the sea seaweeds have been used for centuries. In seafaring communities, they are an important part of the diet. Seaweeds and brown seaweeds in particular are important nutritive tonics. Many chronic conditions respond to improved nutrition. It isn’t so much that the person is ill for instance but rather that they lack the basic building blocks for good health.
A side of minerals with that kelp frond.
Aquatic plants have large amounts of minerals concentrated in them. More than any plant growing on land. Seaweeds are excellent sources of calcium, chloride, chromium, copper, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, selenium, sodium, sulphur, and zinc. Healthy metabolic function demands essential minerals. Seaweeds are also excellent sources of vitamins – containing vitamin C, B vitamins, and the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K. Without getting sidetracked I will just quickly state that neither macroalgae nor microalgae are a source of B12. Seaweeds are excellent additions to soups and stir-fries. When decocted they can be drunk as a tea or as a long infusion. Herbalist Ryan Drum is an expert in the use of macroalgae for healing and in using sea vegetables as part of your diet. For medicinal benefit it is better to have some seaweed every day (in smaller amounts) rather than eat large quantities infrequently.
Seaweed, iodine and the thyroid.
Bladderwrack is a thyroid trophorestorative. A trophorestorative is an herb that has a specific affinity for one particular organ or body system and acts to restore that herb/system to fill function. Sometimes they push, sometimes they pull. They are nutritives – containing nutrients that a specific organ/system is in need of for full function. The iodine in bladderwrack is essential to proper thyroid function. Thyroid hormones regulate large parts of our metabolism. Without iodine these hormones cannot be made.
Bladderwrack
Bladderwrack lives between the low tide mark and the high tide mark. The herb consists of a mass attached at the base to the rocks. The vegetative body is a thallus. The bladders are air filled pods that help keep the algae afloat during high tide. Usually found in pairs along the mid rib of the thallus. The heavier the wave action the fewer the number of bladders on the plant.
Beyond the thyroid.
Bladderwrack is indispensable for thyroid conditions – in particular hypothyroidism. In addition, it has many other healing properties. Excellent antioxidant, antiviral, cardiac tonic, analgesic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antineoplastic. New research shows that bladderwrack can be use in cancerous conditions. It arrests cell growth, encourages apoptosis, and inhibits angiogenesis. The herb inhibits collagenase and elastase. These are enzymes that breakdown collagen and elastin in the body. Those seaweed wraps at the spa can be effective. It has a history of being used for musculoskeletal problems and there are case reports of resolution of joint inflammations/pain.
Harvesting.
I shot this photo the last time I was in Nova Scotia. There is no visit during which I don’t spend at least some time at the sea. Here in Ottawa any medicine from the sea I want to work with has to come from a reputable supplier. Seaweeds bioaccumulate elements from sea water. This is why they are so mineral rich. It also means that they may contain heavy metals, pesticide residue, and petroleum products. Sadly, the ocean is not pristine. Only use a supplier that tests their harvest. I like Maine Coast Sea Vegetables as a supplier and feel confident using their products.
To harvest my own, I would go at low tide, choose an area free from pollutants, and I would trim some a variety of plants. If you pull the plant off the rocks you’ve killed it and there is no need. I have not lived in Nova Scotia for many years, as a result, I feel more comfortable ordering from a quality supplier as I do not know enough about the N.S. shoreline to truly be informed about where to harvest and where not to.
Folks with hyperthyroidism should only use seaweeds medicinally if they are working with an herbalist.