Sea Moss (Gracilaria spp.)

Sea moss, also known as Irish moss in commercial use, is a mineral-rich, mucilaginous seaweed prized for its ability to deeply nourish, moisten, and tonify tissues across the entire body. Traditionally used to rebuild strength, soothe inflamed mucous membranes, and support fluid metabolism, sea moss is a food-medicine with powerful applications in digestive, respiratory, immune, and endocrine health.

Monograph of Sea Moss

(Gracilaria spp.)

• Family

  Gracilariaceae (red algae family)

• Taste

  Salty (Slightly) - Salty refers to anything with salt, or high mineral content.

  Bland - Bland means doesn't have much taste. A food without little macronutrients, such as cabbage, radish or bok choy.

• Season

  Late winter to early spring (to rebuild and flush toxins)

  Fall (to moisten and restore respiratory and digestive lining)

  Year-round for dry constitutions or those recovering from illness

• Qualities

  Clearing - Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests metabolic toxins.

  Gooey - Gooey is identified by anything gelatinous or increases mucus production.

  Moist -

  Cooling - Cold refers to anything that reduces body temperature, metabolism, and blood flow.

  Heavy - Heavy is identified by sedation, sluggishness, or increased weight.

  Easy - Easy refers to anything easy to digest, or digests quickly. Sea Moss is easily digested once prepared as a gel.

• Suitability

  Signs of Catabolic excess- Dryness, feeling cold and too light. If it’s not easy to gain weight, you are most likely a Catabolic type.

  Signs of Metabolic excess- Excess heat, irritation and inflammation. When balanced, digestion is strong and weight is healthy.

  Signs of Anabolic excess- Feeling heaviness, slow digestion and lethargy. A slow metabolism is common. Gaining weight from a diet high in carbs and sugar is too easy.

  Sea Moss may:

  Balance catabolic depletion (restores moisture, minerals, and core vitality)

  Balance metabolic excess (cools inflammation, clears heat and irritation)

  May aggravate anabolic excess (in large doses, can increase dampness or congestion if already present)

• Indicated Tissue States

  Indicated tissue states identify the dynamic patterns of imbalance within the body that a substance is suited to correct, helping guide personalized treatment.

  Sea Moss is best indicated for tissue states involving Dry/Atrophy and Heat/Excitation.

  Simpler explanation: Tissue states show what’s happening at the tissue level — whether things are too dry, too tense, too inflamed — and what foods or herbs can help fix that.

• Affinities

  Affinities are the targeted tissues that Sample acts on after chemical releases:

  Sea Moss has a strong affinity for Digestive tract, Respiratory tract, Skin, Immune system, Thyroid and endocrine system and Blood and lymph.

• Chemical Constituents

  Iodine – Supports thyroid and metabolism

  Carrageenan (in native form) – Mucilage that soothes membranes and supports detox

  Calcium, magnesium, potassium – Electrolyte minerals

  Zinc, iron, selenium – Trace minerals for immunity and energy

  Fucoidan and laminarin – Polysaccharides with anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating effects

  B vitamins – Especially folate and riboflavin

  Protein – Contains all essential amino acids (in small amounts)

• Nutritional Value

  (per 1 tbsp sea moss gel)

  • Calories: ~5

  • Protein: <0.5g

  • Carbohydrates: ~1.2g

  • Sugars: 0g

  • Fat: 0g

  • Fiber: Trace (mainly mucilage, not bulk fiber)

  • Iodine: ~50–150 mcg (varies by ocean source)

  • Calcium: ~7 mg

  • Magnesium: ~14 mg

  • Potassium: ~30–50 mg

  • Iron: ~0.9 mg

  • Zinc: Trace

  • B vitamins: Trace amounts of B2 (riboflavin) and B9 (folate)

• Mineral Richness

  Sea moss (Gracilaria spp. and Chondrus crispus) is renowned for being mineral-rich — often cited as containing “92 of the 102 minerals the body needs.” While exact amounts vary by species, harvesting region, and processing, here’s a breakdown of the most commonly measured minerals found in sea moss (based on average lab analyses of dried sea moss, typically per 10g serving — about 1 tbsp dry or 2–3 tbsp gel):

  Major Minerals in Sea Moss (approx. per 10g dry)

  Iodine: 200–500 mcg 133–333% DV (Thyroid hormone production, metabolism)

  Calcium: 70–100 mg 7–10% DV (Bone, nerve, and muscle health)

  Magnesium: 14–60 mg 3–15% DVNerve, muscle, enzyme function

  Potassium: 100–250 mg 2–5% DVFluid balance, muscle, nerve signaling

  Iron: 1–9 mg6–50% DVOxygen transport, energy metabolism

  Phosphorus: 10–50 mg1–5% DVBone health, ATP production

  Sodium: 20–50 mg<2% DVElectrolyte, nerve, fluid balance

  Zinc: 0.2–0.6 mg 2–5% DV Immunity, skin, wound healing

  Selenium: 0.1–0.3 mcg <1% DVAntioxidant, thyroid support

  🧪 Other Trace Minerals Often Present (in very small amounts):

  • Copper

  • Manganese

  • Chromium

  • Sulfur

  • Boron

  • Silica

  • Fluoride (natural, in trace amounts)

  📌 Note:

  • Gracilaria typically contains slightly lower iodine and more potassium, while

  • Chondrus crispus (true Irish moss) tends to have higher iodine and calcium.

  • Gel form is diluted, so expect about ⅓ to ¼ of the above mineral amounts per tablespoon.

• Preparation Methods

  Soaked and blended into a gel to be taken by spoon or added to smoothies

  Added to soups, stews, and broths as a thickener or nutritive booster

  Combined with herbs in mineral-rich tonics or detox elixirs

  Used topically in masks or salves for irritated or dry skin

Note:

To find out which foods and dosages are best suited for your body type, please take the Body Type Quiz to detect any current imbalances and consult a traditional whole-person health practitioner (like myself) for personalized support and recommendations.

Medicinal Actions of Sea Moss

(Gracilaria spp.)

• Nervous system

  Nerve relaxant grounding (mild–moderate): Rich in magnesium and B vitamins, supports calmness and stress recovery.

  Builds core vitality (moderate): Deeply nourishing to nerve tissue and adrenal function in post-depletion states.

  Neuroprotective (mild): Antioxidant polysaccharides help reduce nerve inflammation and support myelin repair over time.

• Circulatory System

  Electrolyte rebuilder (moderate–strong): Replenishes potassium, magnesium, and sodium lost through stress, sweat, or illness.

  Blood tonic (moderate): Supports blood quality and hydration through trace minerals and mucilaginous action.

  Reduces swelling (mild–moderate): Helps reduce systemic puffiness via gentle lymphatic support.

  Rebuilds fluids (strong): Highly hydrating and restorative to dry plasma and circulatory tissue.

• Digestive System

  Demulcent (strong): Soothes inflamed, dry, or irritated mucosa in the stomach and intestines.

  Digestive tonic (moderate): Rebuilds gut lining and supports microbiome balance when used consistently.

  Prebiotic (mild): Polysaccharides support beneficial gut flora.

  Antacid (mild): Helps buffer stomach acids due to mucilage.

  Internal detoxificant (moderate): Binds toxins and supports gentle elimination.

• Immune/Lymphatic

  Immune modulating (moderate): Fucoidan and sulfated polysaccharides help balance immune activity.

  Flushes membranes (moderate): Clears sticky, dry, or congested mucosa in the sinuses and lymphatic system.

  Antiviral (mild–moderate): Traditional and emerging evidence shows action against enveloped viruses.

  Internal detoxificant (moderate): Supports gentle lymphatic drainage and systemic cleansing.

• Skin/Integumentary System

  Skin tonic (moderate–strong): Improves hydration, elasticity, and repair when taken internally or used topically.

  Topically soothing (strong): Used in masks and salves to reduce itching, dryness, and inflammation.

  Antioxidant (mild–moderate): Neutralizes free radicals and supports collagen repair.

  Photoprotective (mild): May reduce UV sensitivity over time due to antioxidant support.

• Liver/Detoxification System

  Liver tonic (mild): Replenishes depleted liver tissue through gentle nourishment.

  Burns toxins (mild): Supports liver's processing of waste through gentle detox pathways.

  Hypolipidemic (mild): May support fat metabolism via increased bile flow and mineral action.

• Urinary System

  Rebuilds fluids (strong): Rehydrates urinary tract tissues and cools irritation.

  Urinary tonic (mild): Soothes urinary membranes, especially in dryness-related imbalances.

  Diuretic (mild): May gently promote urination by clearing heat and encouraging hydration.

• Respiratory System

  Expectorant (moderate): Helps expel mucus when congestion is sticky or dry.

  Soothes throat (moderate): Mucilage coats and cools irritated respiratory pathways.

  Mucolytic (mild): Breaks apart dry or stuck mucus when combined with warming herbs.

  Lung tonic (mild): Moistens lung tissue and supports long-term recovery from dryness or irritation.

• Reproductive system

  Builds reproductive fluids (moderate): Moistens and nourishes deep fluids, helpful in fertility or post-illness depletion.

  Uterine tonic (mild): Supports tone and recovery after birth or menstruation.

  Aphrodisiac (traditional use): Often included in virility and libido blends for its nutrient density and cooling nature.

• Endocrine/Energy System

  Thyroid tonic (moderate–strong): Naturally high in iodine, supports sluggish thyroid and metabolism.

  Adrenal tonic (mild): Replenishes minerals lost through chronic stress.

  Stimulates energy (mild–moderate): Steady, cellular-level vitality rather than fast-acting stimulation.

  Builds core vitality (strong): One of the most complete whole food restoratives for long-term deficiency.

• Muscuskeletal System

  Bone tonic (moderate): Supplies calcium, magnesium, and silica in a highly bioavailable form.

  Arthritis relieving (mild): Mucilage reduces internal inflammation in joints.

  Muscle tonic (mild): Supports strength and repair after depletion or tension.

• Endocannaboid System

  Indirect ECS support (mild):

  Supports gut-lining integrity and lymphatic flow (key for ECS balance)

  Reduces neuroinflammation, indirectly supporting ECS receptor sensitivity

  Rich in trace minerals that aid neurotransmitter and ECS cofactor function

• References

  Teas, J. (1983). “The dietary intake of Japanese seaweed is linked to thyroid health and reduced risk of breast cancer.” Nutrition and Cancer, 4(3), 217–222.
  → Notes seaweed’s traditional use in thyroid and metabolic balance.

  Fitton, J.H. (2003). “Therapeutic potential of fucoidan and other seaweed-derived polysaccharides.” Phytotherapy Research, 17(6), 485–487.
  → Describes immune, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties of sea moss polysaccharides.

  Murray, M.T. (2003). The Healing Power of Foods. Three Rivers Press.
  → Profiles sea moss as a mucilaginous, demulcent, and mineral-rich restorative.

  Pitchford, P. (2002). Healing with Whole Foods (3rd ed.). North Atlantic Books.
  → Emphasizes seaweed’s tissue-cleansing and fluid-building role, especially in spring.

  Duke, J.A. (2000). Handbook of Medicinal Herbs (2nd ed.). CRC Press.
  → General seaweed actions: nutritive, demulcent, and detoxifying.

  USDA FoodData Central (2024). Sea moss, raw.
  → Nutritional data on iodine, calcium, potassium, and fiber content.