Chondrus crispus commonly called Irish moss or carrageen moss (Irish carraigín, "little rock") is a species of red algae, a type of seaweed which grows abundantly in cold water and is used in raw food recipes for nutrition and thickening properties. It can vary in colour, from a greenish-yellow, through red, to a dark purple or purplish-brown.

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Irish Moss is found along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, and especially in Ireland. The Irish would take it on long journeys as a good luck charm and a sign of prosperity. When the Irish went through a major famine in the 19th century, they greatly relied on Irish moss as a main source of nutrition. It also grows in Asia and the oceans of North America.  Raw foodies love Irish Moss for its use as a thickener, so it is a great addition to a raw vegan diet. Its high Vitamin and mineral content make it the perfect food to replenish and revitalise the body after a long battle with dis-ease.

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In Jamaica Irish Moss has a reputation for being an aphrodisiac and cure for male impotence. Jamaicans serve it is a thick, sweet drink spiced with vanilla. Likewise in Scotland it is made into a kind of sweet jelly.

The principal constituent is a mucilaginous body, made of the polysaccharide carrageenan, which constitutes 55% of its weight. This mucilage compound helps restore the health of the mucous membrane throughout the body. The organism also consists of nearly 10% protein and about 15% mineral matter, and is rich in iodides, bromides, phosphates, sulphur. fibre, protein, trace minerals and other nutrients When softened in water it has a sea-like odour and because of the abundant cell wall polysaccharides it will form a jelly when boiled, containing from 20 to 100 times its weight of water.

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Irish Moss contains many essential vitamins and trace minerals. It has been used for many centuries as a building food, nourishing those recovering from debilitating illness, fatigue, physical injury or trauma. The seaweed is also a “time released” fuel source, providing long chain polysaccharides that help to deliver nutrients over a long period of time for a slower and more sustained nutritional uptake.

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There are 92 essential minerals in each serving out of the 102 the body is made from. Irish Moss contain 15 of the 18 essential elements that make up the human body. This includes great amounts calcium, magnesium, folate, sodium, iodine, sulphur, and potassium as well as Vitamins A, B, C, D, E, F and K. This is why this most amazing seaweed is thought to be able to cure everything from bladder disorders, bronchitis, halitosis (bad breath), intestinal disorders and glandular problems to swollen joints, lung difficulties, thyroid conditions, tuberculosis, tumors, and ulcers. It also is known to protect against radiation poisoning. Recent studies have also found that Irish moss does in fact have some great anti-viral properties and can help fight the Influenza B and mumps viruses.

 

1 ¼ Cups of Irish moss contains the following nutrients:

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Iron 8.0mg

Magnesium 144mg

Manganese 0.4mg

Phosphorus 157mg

Zinc 1.9mg

Calcium 72.mg

Copper 0.1mg

Folate 182mcg

Riboflavin 0.5mg

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Irish Moss is nature’s only plant based source of thyroid hormone!!!

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Uses for Irish Moss Include:

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Skin problems such as dry skin, eczema, rashes psoriasis and even sunburn

Dysentery

Halitosis

Coughs and colds

Regulates the bowels

Kidney function

Heart function

Obesity

Arthritis

Tuberculosis

Pneumonia

Fibroids

Reduces mucus and Inflammation

Varicose Veins

Radiation poisoning

Recovery from cancer

 

Benefits of Irish Moss include:

 

HELPS NOURISH DEBILITATION

 

Irish moss contains many beneficial vitamins and trace minerals such as iodine, iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium and folate. As mentioned, the seaweed broth has been used for centuries as a building food, nourishing those recovering from debilitating illness, fatigue, physical injury or traumas. This practice was largely employed during the 19th century Irish famine (1845 and 1852) to strengthen the body and speed the recuperation from malnourishment and an extremely weakened physical state.

The seaweed is also a “time released” fuel source, providing long chain polysaccharides that help to deliver nutrients over a longer period of time for a slower and more sustained nutritional uptake.

 

COMMONLY USED RESPIRATORY TONIC

Another common use of this seaweed is as a remedy for issues involving the respiratory tract. As both an expectorant and demulcent, it can be very helpful for coughs, sore throats, relieving congestion and expelling excess mucus from the lungs. Chondrus crispus has been used extensively as an anti-mucous and respiratory tonic for bronchitis and pneumonia in many coastal cultures around the world.

 

GREAT FOR THE SKIN

Irish moss is utilized extensively in natural cosmetics, creams and beauty products for its nourishing effects to the skin. One of the reasons for this is because of its higher sulfur, high concentrations of sulphur.

 

The benefits to skin health can be achieved also by consuming the seaweed which can help to rehydrate and moisturize the skin from the inside out. It can be of great value in cases of eczema, sun burns, rashes or psoriasis.

 

STRENGTHENS CONNECTIVE TISSUE AND JOINTS

The seaweed can be used to accelerate the recovery from injuries to the joints and is particularly well known for strengthening connective tissues and cartilage. It is known to reduce swelling acting as a natural anti-inflammatory to sports injuries or conditions effecting the knees, ankles and other joints of the body.

 

This nutrient rich seaweed also contains taurine, and other sulfur based amino acids in greater number than any other type of seaweed. Sulfur helps to shield the joints against infectious organisms that may lead to joint problems like arthritis further down the road.

 

SOOTHING TO DIGESTIVE TRACT

Rich soup broths made from irish moss seaweed have been used for centuries to relieve gastritis and ulcerations of the digestive tract. This is because of its demulcent qualities (acting as a mild laxative) that are lubricating and soothing to the mucus membranes of the stomach and intestines

 

Before you work with Irish Moss, you usually need to make it into a paste.

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To make a paste, soak ¼ cup Irish Moss in cold water for at least 3 hours.

Then rinse your moss in cold water really well

Put your moss in the blender with 1 cup water

Blend on high until completely smooth and creamy.  

Store the paste in fridge in a glass jar for up to 10 days.

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**Note:  Soak your moss for 3 – 10 hours before making a paste.  You can let the moss soak longer, but it will lose some of its gelling properties and you would have to use more paste in your specific recipe.  If you don’t have time to make the paste after you soak the moss, leave it in the fridge in a jar without water for up to 3-days.