Bladderwrack

Fucus vesiculosus

Kelp is common to many New England and Eastern seaboard shorelines that are rocky and have low tide water marks. This sea vegetation is olive-green in color, regularly branched, with branches of spiraling shape and leathery feel. They may occasionally lack air bladders, but usually occur with paired bladders. The midrib is distinct and the stipe unbranched as it comes out of the disc-shaped holdfast.

Kelp should be used to correct an insufficiency of normal glandular performance. The best way to do this is to make a simple clear broth using fresh or dried kelp. The liquid is strained and consumed like soup; kelp is sweet and delicious and increases glandular activity.

Other names

• Black Tany
• Bladder Fucus
• Cutweed
• Hai-ts'ao
• Kelp
• Kelpware
• Rockweed
• Sea Oak
• Seaweed
• Seawrack

Parts used

Whole plant.

Uses

Due to its iodine content, kelp is taken as an ant goiter remedy. Kelp appears to raise the metabolic rate by increasing hormone production by the thyroid gland, but this increase may be limited to poorly functioning thyroids. Kelp is reputedly helpful in rheumatic conditions.
Bladderwrack is also used to treat teeth grinding (bruxism).

Habitat & cultivation

Kelp is native to the shores of the North Atlantic and western Mediterranean, and is harvested throughout the year.

Research

In one clinical trial (Italy 1976), patients taking kelp lost much more weight than the control group.

Constituents

Kelp contains phenols, polysaccharides, and minerals, especially iodine (up to 0.1%). The polysaccharides are immune-stimulant. The iodine may stimulate the thyroid gland.

How much to take

It may usefully be taken in tablet form as a dietary supplement or as an infusion by pouring a cup of boiling water onto 2-3 teaspoonfuls of the dried herb and leaving it to steep for 10 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day.

Applications

THALLI:

TINCTURE - Take for thyroid deficiency, as a gentle metabolic stimulant, or for rheumatic conditions.

INFUSION - Take as the tincture. Can be used as part of a weight-reducing program, especially if obesity is linked to a slow metabolism, but it should not be regarded as an easy method for losing weight.

TABLETS/CAPSULES - Take 3 - 6 a day as a metabolic stimulant. Can help reduce obesity related to thyroid under activity.

INFUSED OIL - Macerate 500 g dried kelp overnight in 500 ml sunflower oil. Heat in a water bath for two hours and strain. Use the oil externally for arthritic joint pains or rheumatism.

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