Discover the amazing health benefits of this ancient PowerFood. Sea vegetables have a broad range of medicinal uses and have been used in spas and therapeutic baths for ages.
Popular misconception: Seaweeds are fishy tasting.
Properly harvested, dried, and stored seaweeds do not acquire a fishy taste.
Seaweeds are high in nutrients and in general contain more minerals than vegetables, meat, milk or eggs.
MINERALS: Sea vegetables are excellent sources of most Minerals, especially: potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, nitrogen, iron, zinc, boron, copper, manganese, chromium, selenium, bromine, vanadium, nickel.
VITAMINS: Most sea vegetables are excellent sources of the known vitamins (A, B’s, especially B12, C, D, E, and K) as well as essential fatty acids. Bladderwrack powder is mixed with olive oil– a safe, effective alternative to cod liver oil.
1) Bull Kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana)
Nereo: Greek meaning mermaid Cystis: Greek meaning bladder
Common names: Bullwhip Kelp, Ribbon Kelp, Sea Kelp
Taste: when dry it has fresh salty ocean taste.
How to use in food:
Bull Kelp (once dried) is one of the tastiest seaweeds. It’s fine and tender, easy to eat, and no cooking or soaking is required. It is usually used as a seasoning, sprinkled into foods such as salads, soups, quinoa, rice, pasta etc. Also, try enjoying kelp as a salty snack.
Nutrition:
Rich in calcium, magnesium, sodium, iodine, potassium, bromine, phosphorus, iron, bulk fiber, vitamin B complex, and vitamins A, C, D, E, and K.
Medicinal uses:
Treats Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), hyperactivity, insomnia, depression, hostility, schizophrenia, mineral depletion, heartburn, and improves electrical nerve flow and fibromyalgia.
Also used in Baths and Spas.
Place a handful of kelp in a piece of cotton. Tie closed. Toss in hot bath. Squeeze gently and seaweed gel (algin) will be released in bath water. Add gel to face for a Seaweed facial.
3) Kombu (laminaria spp.*) includes L. digitata
Laminaria means thin leaf, digitata means finger
Common names: broadleaf kelp, devil’s apron, horsetail kelp, finger kelp
Taste: When dry kombu has a salty, natural monosodium glutamate taste. It is tough and once you chew it, it becomes slimy. Kombu tastes best when cooked.
How to use in food:
Chop into bite size pieces and cook with your rice, quinoa, stews, and beans (improves digestibility), shred and pickle, or roast and crumble on food.
Add a peace of Kombu (or Wakame) to beans at they cook. This will make the beans easier to digest and stop gas.
Nutrition:
High in iodine, calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, sodium, chromium, protein, mannitol, phosphorus, alginate, fucoidan, laminarin, carotene, phytohormones, vitamin A, C, D, E, K and B complex vitamins.
Medicinal Uses of Kombu:
Anti-viral, relieves sore joints and muscles, lowers high blood pressure, improves sleep, heals tissue, treats certain thyroid problems, aids weight loss, and inhibits tumors.
Also used in Baths and Spas.
Place a handful of Kombu in a piece of cotton. Tie closed. Toss in hot bath. Squeeze gently and seaweed gel (Algin) will be released in bath water. Add gel to face for a Seaweed facial.