This post contains affiliate links.
If you haven’t heard of this fantastic superfood, you’ll be raving about it soon. Sea moss is a type of algae that's packed with amazing nutrients, vitamins, and amino acids. The substance can be made into a gel, which makes it easier to consume and apply to the skin.
Sea moss gel can be used in several ways, but why should you try using it in the first place? We’ll get into all of the amazing benefits of sea moss gel in this article, as well as a few ways to use the gel for yourself.
What Is Sea Moss?
Irish Sea moss, also known as Chondrus Crispus, is a red algae that comes from areas on the Atlantic Coast, including North America, Europe, and the Caribbean Islands. This algae has long been consumed as food but has also been used as medicine within other cultures, used to treat everything from coughs to low sex drive.
Many types of seaweed and algae are called sea moss. The most common species today are named Chondrus Crispus, Eucheuma Cottonii, and Genus Gracilaria. While more research into the benefits is still needed, we do know that these algae contain an astonishing amount of antioxidants and minerals.
You can find raw sea moss in its dried form, but it’s available in gels that make it easier to use. In gel form, sea moss can be both ingested and applied topically. If you prefer, you can also make your own sea moss gel from its raw dried form.
Sea Moss Gel Benefits
Sea Moss is packed with vitamins, proteins, minerals, and antioxidants. It’s also rich in 92 of the 102 minerals that our bodies need, such as iron, potassium, and zinc. In both gel and raw form, sea moss is thick and sticky, which helps the body clear out extra mucus. This is great when you're experiencing a cold, as it can remove excess phlegm within the lungs, along with mucus from the nasal passages, reducing congestion over time.
Others claim that sea moss is also good for digestive health. It acts as a prebiotic, aiding the body in removing harmful bacteria within the intestines. As it contains a large number of vitamins and minerals, sea moss may help skin issues when applied topically. Several people believe that it can soothe acne, eczema, and dry skin.
Sea moss is rich in many vitamins and minerals. These include:
Selenium
Manganese
Zinc
Vitamins A, K, and E
Magnesium
Calcium
How Much Sea Moss Gel To Take Daily
While sea moss has many benefits, it is important not to take too much. It’s a great source of iodine, which is important for producing thyroid hormones. However, iodine needs to be taken in specific amounts. Too little and too much iodine can affect the thyroid, causing it to become under or overactive.
Most people get some form of iodine from their diet, so make sure that you don’t take too much sea moss, as this could be more iodine than your body needs. The recommended amount of sea moss gel is 4 to 8 grams daily. This works out to 1 to 2 tablespoons.
How To Store Sea Moss Gel
Whether you’ve made your gel yourself or purchased it from a vendor, sea moss gel needs to be kept in an airtight container. It’s best kept in cool conditions, like the fridge or freezer. Sea moss gel lasts up to a month when refrigerated, and up to three months when frozen.
If you want to freeze your sea moss gel, you can spoon the gel into an ice cube tray and freeze it for later. These cubes are great for throwing into your blender or defrosting for mixing into a face mask.
Sea moss gel has a shorter lifespan than dry sea moss. Dry sea moss comes in raw and unsoaked forms. Both of these varieties can be kept up to a year, as long as they’re stored in an airtight container and kept in a cool dark place.
How To Use Sea Moss Gel
You can use sea moss gel in many different ways. Here are some of the most common uses for this unique algae.
Mix Sea Moss Gel In A Smoothie
This is one of the easiest ways to use sea moss gel. The actual gel only has a light flavor, so any smoothie ingredients that you add will cover its initial taste. Simply place all of your smoothie ingredients into a blender and add a teaspoon of sea moss to the mix. You can use any fruits or vegetables that you’d like, but a common recipe uses cocoa powder, raspberries, coconut milk, and of course, sea moss. You’ll get the good fatty acids from coconut milk, vitamins from the raspberries, and all of the extra goodness from the sea moss! This is just an example, but there are plenty of smoothie recipes online to try.
As A Thickening Agent
Many people also refer to sea moss as vegan gelatin, thanks to its mucilaginous texture. As it's thick and gel-like, it’s perfect for thickening up certain dishes, like soups and stews.
By adding a little sea moss into your soup, you’ll get a much more satisfying meal that contains more antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins. These dishes don’t have to be savory either. You can add sea moss to your jam recipe, ice cream, or protein shake! Make sure that your protein powder is flavored if you don’t like sea moss’ taste.
Watering Plants
If your plants are looking a little worse for wear, try adding some sea moss to your gardening routine. As sea moss is rich in nutrients, your soil will get the same benefits if you mix it with your water. The method is simple enough. Mix up to 2 tablespoons of sea moss gel into 2 liters of water. Pour the solution into a watering can and water your plants as usual. Do this method once a month to give your plants a new lease of life. After a while, you should see an improvement in their growth, color, and vibrancy.
Sea Moss Gel Face Mask
We’ve covered why sea moss is great when consumed, but it's a fabulous treat for your skin too. Some people also refer to sea moss as vegan collagen, as it can help your system produce more protein. Its several vitamins and minerals also help to soothe your skin when applied to the face.
It’s best to mix sea moss into natural DIY masks, as it may react with chemicals in your everyday face care. An easy recipe involves mixing a teaspoon of turmeric powder with 2 tablespoons of sea moss. Turmeric is known for its antibacterial properties, while sea moss moisturizes and soothes your skin. This mask will make your skin glow and is great for both acne and dry skin.