Seaweed. Ancient. Otherworldly. Restorative.
Containing all the complexity, healing, and mystery of the ocean.
A brief deep-dive into the benefits of seaweed
Seaweeds are tonic superfoods. These humble and strange plants are easy to forget about, and often unappreciated. In a world constantly touting the everpresent superfood ingredient du jour, seaweeds tend to be seen as something mundane rather than exotic, and are generally not considered as thrilling or exciting as their new, shiny superfood comrades.
Yet here are some of the things sea plants have:
A complex and abundant matrix of nutrients.
A rich relationship with our human ancestors all across the globe, and all throughout time.
A remarkable suitability and affinity for the human body.
To put it simply — Seaweeds are an imprint of the the vast spectrum of nutrients found within the sea itself, and are easily some of the most important and nutrient-rich foods you can put in and on your body.
Included in the host of compounds contained within sea plants are:
• Humectants • Polysaccharides / polyphenols (antioxidants)
• Sodium alginate • Minerals (including rare trace-minerals) • Vitamins • Amino Acids
As you might imagine, the breakdown of these compounds tell us that seaweed is highly supportive to the wellbeing of the human body, both internally and externally.
While our ancestors may have not known the scientific breakdown we now use to recognize the power of sea plants, they certainly still knew the value of them. Sea plants and animals have always been an important part of trade — both sea, and land — throughout human history and there is evidence of sea plants and animals in landlocked regions across the globe as a result of it.
“The sea cures all ailments of man.”
On coastlines around the world a historic healing method is practiced today — Thalassotherapy. Thalassotherapy is the practice of using elements of the ocean — seawater, sea plants, sea mud, etc — as restorative tools for healing.
Why are these topical applications of seaweed still so prominent? Because the skin is an exquisite delivery system, and sea plants have a profound harmony with the ecosystem of the skin.
Another reason to love seaweed: Kelp is highly regenerative. It’s one of the fastest growing plants on the planet, and can grow between 4 inches and two feet in a single day (depending on species and conditions), making it a sustainable source of nourishment for skin and body.
Eating Seaweed
Seaweeds provide deep nourishment to the entire system, and have proven to have a particular affinity to the endocrine system.
Yin in nature, seaweeds are cooling and moistening. Throughout time, from antiquity to the twenty-first century, seaweeds have been thought to support: gut-health, weight harmony, internal hydration, heart health, beauty, thyroid & endocrine health, and women’s balance — just to name a small handful.
Seaweeds are tonic and adaptogenic in nature, and help to re-establish and maintain the inner harmony of the body. They are completely their effects are amplified with regular use.
Beyond therapeutic nourishment, seaweeds support gentle detoxification. Here, sodium alginate is the star. It has been part of a protective protocol and consumed by the workers of nuclear facilities to help protect the body against radiation, as well as gently purify radiation from the body.
An important addition to the modern diet.
Some of our favorite ways to consume seaweed?
Simmered into broths, or added to the pot during the cooking of grains and legumes. Sprinkled onto foods, and into sauces and dressings to add both a hefty dose of nutrients and a special umamije ne sais quois. And of course, there’s always snacking on toasted nori, dulse, or sea palm fronds.
We like Maine Coast Sea Vegetables and Mountain Rose Herbs. Both are completely certified organic and from northern atlantic waters. If you prefer to take capsules, we like Oregon’s Wild Harvest Kelp Capsules. One of our team members takes kelp capsules (in addition to grass-fed bovine liver) daily as her version of a whole-food, endocrine system supportive multi-vitamin.
Speaking of delicious and nourishing seaweed broths — have you ever seen the movie The Secret of Roan Innish? It’s one of Evan’s favorites, and in it there’s a scene of what we can only imagine is the most fragrant and bone-deep-nourishing seaweed soup. It’s pretty likely that no scene has ever made us hungrier. Watch it if you haven’t.
Topical Seaweed
Let us paint a picture for you. Imagine a rocky shoreline. Chilly, salty waters under the blaring and radiant sun. In the waters lies a kelp bed, slowly dancing and churning in the current.
If it were us in the water instead of the kelp, the saltwater would dry out our tissues, and the reflection of the sun would fry us to a crisp. And yet it is in this exact environment that seaweeds thrive - remaining plump, juicy, and resilient.
Think of this image when you think of seaweed’s effects on the skin. Seaweed encourages skin to look its best. Hydrated and supple, smooth, and clear. Topical use improves the appearance of skin texture, as well as support skin that’s received to much UV exposure — softening the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as well as the appearance of sun damage and hyperpigmentation.
Some studies have compared the effects of bladderwrack seaweed extracts to the effects of Retinol on the skin, in regards to activity and relationship with collagen and elasticity.
Sea Algae Serum
“ Better than Botox.”
If it’s not already obvious, let us say that seaweed is a truly incredible ally for the skin. We value it so much that we created a product formulated specifically to showcase the many remarkable gifts sea plants can bring to the skin — Sea Algae Serum.
Our Sea Algae Serum is centered around three ocean plants (bio-fermented bull kelp, bladderwrack, and microaglae) to infuse a complex diversity of transformative nutrients and constituents into the skin. To amplify the beautifying effects of this special marine trinity, we add Gotu Kola, CoQ10, and Hyaluronic Acid.
Multifunctional Sea Algae Serum
Antioxidant Treatment •Eye Serum • Primer
What it provides:
High antioxidant activity • Hydration • Adaptability
Unique Nourishment •Softens the appearance of fine lines and pores.
On the skin it is silky, refreshing, lightweight and awakening.
When, Where & How to apply
Sea Algae Serum is a supplemental serum within our line. It is water-based and is NOT meant to replace the oil portion of your Oil/HydroSoul combination. It is intended to be supplement to your skin care ritual, not foundational.
Like seaweed itself, Sea Algae Serum is quite adaptable, and its benefits can be reaped in a myriad of ways. It can be applied as the first step after cleansing and misting with HydroSoul. It can be mixed into your Oil Serum & HydroSoul combination, or moisturizer. Or it can be layered over top of your Oil Serum & HydroSoul — this is our favorite method if you’re using it as a makeup primer.
Another wonderful way is to use Sea Algae Serum as an eye treatment. Simply put a drop on your ring finger, distributing across both ring fingers, and then gently tap and smooth around the eye area.
** The information in this blog has not been evaluated by the FDA, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. It is for educational purposes only.
1 comment
I love this post on Oceanic Beauty—-and your Sea Algae serum is one my faves.
Mother Ocean gives us sooo much.
One thing I like to do is take a sea salt bath: a handful each of baking soda, Epsom salt, powdered Dulce and sea salt in a very warm bath. (This is from a Jeanne Rose book). Even simpler, sometimes I bring home a piece of seaweed from a trip to the beach, put it in the bathtub with water to soak for a awhile then remove and fill up the rest of the tub with warm water to soak myself in. (The seaweed then goes in my garden).