The Medicinal Benefits of Sea Salt & Seaweed

Sea Salt

 

Minerals and salts act as buffers, binding and neutralizing acids in the body. Among other things, they maintain and repair bone and muscle tissue. When you don't consume or absorb enough natural salt and minerals, your body develops acidosis (too much acid). Research from the University of Edinburgh (2019) suggests that sea salt can help reduce symptoms of the common cold virus by boosting the immune system's antiviral defense. And when eaten in small amounts, seaweed helps the body rid itself of toxins and restore pH balance, thereby minimizing the risk of herpes infections. 

 

Some minerals and salts can be obtained from the foods you eat. However, typical American foods often lack sufficient amounts of the necessary minerals to balance your pH. One way to enhance electrolyte function is to consume or absorb sea salt by flavoring your food with it or bathing in it.

 

But here's the thing. Your average "run of the mill" table salt (99.99% sodium chloride) contains no medicinal benefits whatsoever. Throw it away. It will only serve to give you hypertension. Only natural sea salt, such as Himalayan sea salt (84% minerals), contains the minerals your body needs to thrive. ​There are many types to choose from, such as Dead Sea, Himalayan, French Sea, Alaea, and others. 

 

 

Sea Vegetables

 

Seaweed is the richest form of plant life on earth. The minerals in seaweed are already chelated, so your body quickly absorbs them. Many of the nutrients and trace minerals in seaweed are those you will not find in a land diet, even if you take vitamins and supplements. 

 

Again, when eaten in even small amounts, seaweed helps the body rid itself of toxins and restore pH balance, which in turn helps minimize pain and disease. Poor pH levels trigger inflammation, which in turn triggers herpes outbreaks. Consuming only 1-2 teaspoons of sea vegetables daily can reap numerous benefits, including reduced toxicity, decreased inflammation, fewer body aches, softer skin, a more alert mind, and fewer herpes lesions.

 

Land plants (and humans, animals, birds, and insects that eat them) become polluted with acid rain and fertilizers. They don't grow as they should, become sick, and are vulnerable to attacks by insects and diseases. Sea vegetables don't have these problems. Seaweed, unlike land food and some seafood, absorbs very few toxins.

 

Seaweed is a high-fiber vegetable. Seaweed offers a source of fiber that is physiologically distinct from land plants because it originates from water, which makes up approximately 72% of the human body. A high dietary fiber intake reduces the risk of Cancer, high blood pressure, bowel problems, Arthritis, and Diabetes. However, it is essential to drink plenty of water when increasing fiber intake to prevent constipation.

 

Many people crave salt, which is a sign of potassium deficiency. Potassium is essential for maintaining proper nerve function, hormone balance, and muscle function. However, the salt in typical foods is sodium chloride, which is wrong for you. The salt in sea vegetables is potassium chloride, which the body needs. Potassium chloride reduces cravings for salty foods.

 

Dietary seaweed helps balance hormones and eliminate symptoms of menopause and andropause (male menopause). Seaweed helps with thyroid dysfunction, chronic fatigue, lethargy, Depression, circulatory conditions, Cancer prevention, phobias, anxiety, diseases of the joints, digestive issues, Sleep Apnea, muscle myalgia, and more. Anything you do to prevent inflammation will also help to reduce your risk of Cancer or make things a bit easier for you if you already live with Cancer. See HSV & Overlapping Conditions for holistic alternatives to address symptoms and conditions. 

 

 

Types of Sea Vegetables to Choose From 

 

Several types of sea vegetables grow naturally in different sea depths. Seaweed gets its color from sunlight, and the depth of the water determines its color. It usually grows between the high and low tide marks of the ocean shore.

 

  • Arame is light, lacy, and wiry. It is less salty, milder, and sweeter than other sea vegetables and can be steamed, sautéed, and easily added to soups and salads.

 

  • Bladderwrack is similar to wakame (see below).

 

  • Dulce is reddish-brown, soft, and chewy. It contains less iodine than kelp, but each serving provides the daily requirements of B-12, iron, and potassium. You can add dulce to a recipe without softening or cooking first. Just rinse it quickly under cool, running water, and then cut it with a rocking motion using your knife. It is excellent in soups, along with kombu and wakame.

 

  • Hijiki is a type of brown algae seaweed commonly found in the Far East. It looks like wiry pasta strands and contains the highest amount of calcium. You shouldn't consume it raw, as it is too rough. It is traditionally dried, then steamed, and finally dried again for optimal flavor. Place hijiki in a strainer to rinse, then place it in a bowl of warm water to soften (5 minutes or so). Strain and rinse again. Then, chop into the desired size. It is strong-flavored and tastes good, sprinkled in Chinese cabbage salads (tossed with soy sauce) or stir-fried.

 

  • Irish moss is a red algae seaweed popular in breads such as laverbread. Some people snack on it raw. Irish moss works specifically against the Herpes Simplex Virus. 

 

  • Kelp is a type of brown algae seaweed that makes up approximately 10% of the Japanese diet. It has a higher potassium content than other seaweeds and is rich in iodine. It grows along the Atlantic and Pacific coastlines. It is light brown to dark green and is usually dried and sold in whole or granulated form for sprinkling on food. Kelp is the primary seaweed used by people with Hypothyroidism. As an added nutrient, a jar of kelp flakes can be mixed with other seasonings, such as garlic, parsley, onion powder, and pepper.

 

  • Kombu is a type of brown algae, commonly known as seaweed, that is popularly consumed in China. It is incredibly dark in color and is the only seaweed that produces stock (a vegetable broth) by immersing it in water. This stock is called dashi. Kombu is one of the most beneficial sea vegetables to include in your diet. Rinse under running water, then place in warm water for about 12 minutes to soften. Chop into desired pieces. You can add kombu to the bottom of a pot of rice for flavoring, use it in sushi, as a side dish, or in bean dishes to help prevent gas. Kombu takes about 20 minutes to cook (10 minutes longer than other sea vegetables), so add it to the pot first.

 

  • Nori is a type of red algae seaweed grown in Japan, rather than collected from the wild seas. It is high in protein and vitamin A and is used to cover or wrap rice, onigiri, or sushi. It is a purplish-black color that turns a phosphorescent green when toasted. It comes in toasted strips for snacking and in crumbled form for soups or salads. To toast your nori, place it in a preheated oven (350 degrees) for 1-2 minutes until it turns green. Note: Nori is one of the two types of seaweed that can usually be tolerated when you have Histamine Intolerance. The other is wakame (directly below).

 

  • Wakame is a type of kelp seaweed, similar to bladderwrack and kombu, with a texture like spinach. However, it has the highest sodium (salt) content. Rinse under cool running water, then soak in warm water for 4-7 minutes, or until soft. It will turn silky green. Chop and add to your recipe. Use it as a topping in salads and soups, especially miso soup. Cook it for only 10 minutes. Note: Like nori (directly above), wakame can usually be tolerated when you have Histamine Intolerance. However, wakame is higher in iron, which can be problematic for individuals with certain health conditions. Viruses "love" iron. 

 

Note: Seaweed, especially dulce, wakame, or kelp, contains iodine. Kelp contains 415 micrograms of iodine per 1/4 cup serving. I suggest eating seaweed in moderation, especially kelp, even if you don't have thyroid problems. Also, if you suffer from Histamine Intolerance, nori is your only option. It contains less iodine than other seaweeds. All other seaweeds will trigger a histamine response, while nori may not. Nori also contains no iron. The next best choice is wakame, although it's higher in iron. 

 

 

How To Use Seaweed in Food Recipes

 

You can purchase seaweed in various forms, including flakes, leaves, sheets, and powder. Seaweed can replace salt in cooking, be used to ferment foods, serve as a source of medicine, and be consumed as a nutritious food. Consuming only 1-2 teaspoons of seaweed daily can reap numerous benefits, including reduced toxicity, fewer body aches, softer skin, and a more alert mind. Since so little is used, you won't notice it any more than you would other herbs on the menu.

 

Seaweed varies in taste, ranging from nutty to tangy. Most seaweed has a robust flavor, so it is used minimally. Seaweed is fat-free and very low-calorie. Crispy roasted snack versions are available in various flavors (sesame, garlic, plain) at most Asian markets.

 

All seaweed species can be gently simmered in salted water or sautéed with olive oil. For recipes that require the liquid used after soaking seaweed, use only the amount needed.

 

Seaweed can be used in soups and chowders, stir-fries, omelets (either as a substitute for spinach or in addition to it), casseroles, rice dishes, and pasta. It can also be sprinkled on meats, stews, salads, and vegetables. 

 

One of my favorite places to find recipes incorporating seaweeds and algae into my diet is Yummly.com. You can enter any item in their search bar, and they will pull up all the recipes that contain it.

 

 

How & Where to Buy Sea Vegetables

 

Asian markets often feature a diverse selection of seaweeds. Other cultures that incorporate seaweed into their diets as a staple are Scotland, Ireland, Iceland, Denmark, Hawaii, the South Pacific Islands, and various Mediterranean cultures. All of these countries have food markets where people can purchase seaweed. You may also buy seaweed online.

 

Note: Make sure your seaweed is packaged tightly. Avoid any that are excessively moist. Some types are packaged in different forms (powder, flakes, sheets). 

 

 

How to Store Seaweed

 

Store dried seaweed in tightly sealed containers at room temperature in a cupboard or semi-dry in a tightly sealed container in the fridge or freezer. Either should last several months.

 

Seaweed Tea

 

Sailor's Cure-All herbal tea is a warming, aromatic blend of spicy ginger, earthy turmeric, and soothing bladderwrack (an antiviral seaweed). Bladderwrack also contains omega-3 oil, essential amino acids, and antioxidants. This tea is handcrafted in Portland, Oregon, using wild-harvested seaweed from the coast of Maine. It contains over 50 minerals vital for health, including iodine, potassium, magnesium, and vitamins A, B, C, E, and K. Caffeine-free Sailor's Cure-All is ideal for alleviating stomach complaints and inflammation. It may also help to relieve Interstitial Cystitis (bladder pain with no apparent infection). 

 

Pour boiling water over one teaspoon of tea and steep for 5-10 minutes. It's great plain, or you can add raw honey or green leaf stevia to taste. You can also brew it with coconut milk instead of water. 

 

Note: I used Sailor's Cure-All, which helped to relieve some of my bladder pain until I created my own THW Bladder Relief Tea Recipe, which works much better because I formulated it specifically for bladder pain and healing.

 

 

The Best Seaweeds for Managing Herpes Symptoms

 

Seaweed can help to reduce agonizing symptoms of herpes outbreaks. Why? Seaweed contains antimicrobials. Microorganisms include bacteria, viruses, protozoans, and fungi such as mold and mildew. 

 

Bladderwrack, Irish moss, and kelp are the best seaweeds for helping to put HSV in remission. I didn't mention Irish sea moss above because most people won't take the time to prepare it properly. It's better to take supplements to help manage the herpes virus and ensure you're getting a proper dose. Irish sea moss contains almost all the minerals your body requires daily. You can find the best Irish moss supplements here. 

 

 

Sea Supplements

 

I don't usually suggest taking sea supplements simply because the mineral and fiber content, as well as dosages, are often not listed on the bottle. These must be listed to tell the quality of the product. Additionally, not knowing whether or how much iodine is in each capsule can pose a health risk for those sensitive to iodine. Many sea supplements are treated to reduce their flavor and odor, which may remove some of the healing qualities of sea vegetables.