Description
Sea Moss is a type of red sea algae, its principal constituent being the polysaccharide carrageenan which gives Irish Moss its signature gelling qualities. It is important to note that “carrageenan”, which is industrially produced and widely used in food production, is an extract of Irish moss, and has different qualities than the whole food, which is naturally balanced.
Besides being a great source of nutrients, sea moss is also it is mucilaginous, so it soothes mucus membranes and helps your body get rid of any excess mucus. It is especially helpful in reducing congestion and clearing out phlegm buildup in the lungs. Sea Moss is also a prebiotic and helps to get rid of bad bacteria in the gut, which further increases digestive health. Due its high vitamin and mineral content, sea moss is also great when applied directly to the skin to help improve eczema, psoriasis, and acne outbreaks.
Like all seaweeds, sea moss contains naturally high levels of iodine. This product is harvested from the sea. Consumption of this product may cause a serious or life-threatening reaction in persons with allergies to fish or shellfish.
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How to Prepare:
It is important to first, clean the sea moss and remove any discoloured leaves or debris that can be rolled up in the dry creases (shells, salt, sand etc…). When handling sea moss always make sure your hands are clean to prevent contamination and be sure to use filtered, spring, or alkaline water. Never use tap water to clean your sea moss. Clean your sea moss twice to make sure it is cleaned thoroughly. Simply place your dried sea moss in a large bowl, cover it with water, and massage it while remove any visible dirt and debris.
After cleaning the sea moss, place it in a large bowl and cover it with fresh water (filtered, alkaline, or spring). Make sure all the parts of the sea moss are covered. Then, cover the bowl and allow it to soak for at least 12-24 hours at room temperature.
Once it is done soaking it will have expanded as it has absorbed the water, and will be rubbery and smooth. It is now ready to use. You can leave the sea moss in this state and use as needed, or prepare a sea moss gel (highly recommended).
Boiling the sea moss is a method some people use when making sea moss gel, and it still provides incredible nutrient benefits, but soaking it raw helps maintain the highest integrity and nutrient content. To follow the boiling method, place your clean, soaked sea moss in a saucepan. Cover with water, bring to a gentle boil, reduce heat and simmer for 12-15 mins. Allow to cool before the next step.
Remove your soaked-raw or soaked-and-boiled sea moss from the liquid. Do not discard the water because this water, which now contains tons of nutrients from the sea moss, will be used to make the gel. (But if your water has lots of debris in it or is cloudy, discard and use fresh spring or alkaline water.)
Add the sea moss to a high-powered blender along with 1 cup of water (fresh or from soaking or boiling) to start and add more depending on the consistency you would like your gel.
Blend until it is smooth, about 1-3 minutes. Transfer to an airtight container/mason jar, and refrigerate. The sea moss gel will thicken in the fridge after 2 hours. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it can last up to 1 month. You can also pour it into an ice-cube tray and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. This is perfect for taking the cubes and throwing them into your smoothies.
Sea moss is a rich source of iodine, an essential mineral that helps stimulate proper thyroid function. However, having too much iodine in your diet can cause health issues. Always be mindful of how much sea moss you are consuming daily and stick to the recommended amount of 1 to 2 tablespoons or 4 to 8 grams of the gel.
