5 Seaweeds That Enrich Your Diet

Discover the amazing health benefits of this ancient PowerFood. Sea vegetables have a broad range of  medicinal uses and have been used in spas and therapeutic baths for ages.

Popular misconception: Seaweeds are fishy tasting.

Properly harvested, dried, and stored seaweeds do not acquire a fishy taste.

Seaweeds are high in nutrients and in general contain more minerals than vegetables, meat, milk or eggs.
MINERALS: Sea vegetables are excellent sources of most Minerals, especially: potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, nitrogen, iron, zinc, boron, copper, manganese, chromium, selenium, bromine, vanadium, nickel.

VITAMINS: Most sea vegetables are excellent sources of the known vitamins (A, B’s, especially B12, C, D, E, and K) as well as essential fatty acids. Bladderwrack powder is mixed with olive oil– a safe, effective alternative to cod liver oil.

1) Bull Kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana)
Nereo: Greek meaning mermaid  Cystis: Greek meaning bladder
Common names: Bullwhip Kelp, Ribbon Kelp, Sea Kelp
Taste: when dry it has fresh salty ocean taste.
How to use in food:
Bull Kelp (once dried) is one of the tastiest seaweeds. It’s fine and tender, easy to eat, and no cooking or soaking is required. It is usually used as a seasoning, sprinkled into foods such as salads, soups, quinoa, rice, pasta etc. Also, try enjoying kelp as a salty snack.
Nutrition:
Rich in calcium, magnesium, sodium, iodine, potassium, bromine, phosphorus, iron, bulk fiber, vitamin B complex, and vitamins A, C, D, E, and K.
Medicinal uses:
Treats Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), hyperactivity, insomnia, depression, hostility, schizophrenia, mineral depletion, heartburn, and improves electrical nerve flow and fibromyalgia.
Also used in Baths and Spas.
Place a handful of kelp in a piece of cotton. Tie closed. Toss in hot bath. Squeeze gently and seaweed gel (algin) will be released in bath water. Add gel to face for a Seaweed facial.


3) Kombu (laminaria spp.*) includes L. digitata
Laminaria means thin leaf, digitata means finger
Common names: broadleaf kelp, devil’s apron, horsetail kelp, finger kelp
Taste: When dry kombu has a salty, natural monosodium glutamate taste. It is tough and once you chew it, it becomes slimy. Kombu tastes best when cooked.
How to use in food:
Chop into bite size pieces and cook with your rice, quinoa, stews, and beans (improves digestibility), shred and pickle, or roast and crumble on food.
Add a peace of Kombu (or Wakame) to beans at they cook.  This will make the beans easier to digest and stop gas.
Nutrition:
High in iodine, calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, sodium, chromium, protein, mannitol, phosphorus, alginate, fucoidan, laminarin, carotene, phytohormones, vitamin A, C, D, E, K and B complex vitamins.
Medicinal Uses of Kombu:
Anti-viral, relieves sore joints and muscles, lowers high blood pressure, improves sleep, heals tissue, treats certain thyroid problems, aids weight loss, and inhibits tumors.
Also used in Baths and Spas.
Place a handful of Kombu in a piece of cotton. Tie closed. Toss in hot bath. Squeeze gently and seaweed gel (Algin) will be released in bath water. Add gel to face for a Seaweed facial.

3) Bladderwrack (Fucus spp.*) includes F. gardneri F. Vesiculosus
Fucus: greek for seaweed. Bladder, because the seaweed’s air filled bulbs resemble “bladders.” And, wrack comes from the Old English meaning: seaweed
Common names: pop weed, rock weed.
Taste: when dry it has a fresh oyster taste with a hint of iodine. Very flavorful.
How to use in food:
Make a mineral and iodine-rich broth, cook into rice, quinoa, seafood chowders, soups, and stews. Or, soak, chop, and cook into stir fry.
Nutrition:
Rich in iodine, calcium, potassium, protein, mannitol, phosphorus, alginate, fucoidan, phytohormones, laminarin, vitamins A, C, D, E, K and B complex vitamins.
Medicinal Uses of Bladderwrack:
Stimulates the thyroid, detoxifies, aids in weight loss, helps fibromyalgia, reduces fatigue, strengthens bones, and reduces inflammation. Bladderwrack also improves mood disorders such as anxiety and depression, and improves memory.
Also used in Baths and Spas.
Place a handful of Bladderwrack in a piece of cotton. Tie closed. Toss in hot bath. Squeeze gently and seaweed gel (Algin) will be released in bath water. Add gel to face for a Seaweed facial.

4) Giant Kelp (Macrocystis integrifolia), Greek meaning Macro large cystis bladder
Common names: Pacific kelp, brown kelp
Taste: when dry: mild salty taste.
How to use in food:
Cook into soups, rice, quinoa, stews, beans, fish chowder. Or, cut into thin strips and add to stir frys. For a snack, toast kelp in a hot frying pan with no oil. It takes only seconds and you can eat it like a chip!
Nutrition:
High in algin, mannitol, potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, nitrogen, iron, zinc, boron, copper, manganese, chromium, selenium, bromine, vanadium, nickel, vitamin A, B vitamins (especially B12), C, D, E, and K, as well as essential fatty acids.

Medicinal Uses of Macrocystis:
Supports a healthy thyroid, regulates hormones and metabolism, supports the immune system, provides antioxidants, and keeps your heart healthy.
Also used in Baths and Spas.
Place a handful of macro in a piece of cotton. Tie closed. Toss in hot bath. Squeeze gently and seaweed gel (algin) will be released in bath water. Add gel to face for a seaweed facial.

5) Wakame (Alaria spp.*) includes (Alaria marginata)
Alaria is Greek for wing and wakame is Japanese for young girl.
common names: winged kelp
Taste: when dry: salty, savoury taste.
How to use in food:
Eat as a snack right out of the bag. Chop and cook into rice and quinoa, soups, casseroles, stews, beans, and toast. Or, grind with a coffee mill and sprinkle flakes on salads, sandwiches, rice, etc.
Nutrition: high in calcium, protein, iron, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, potassium, chromium, zinc, iodine. Rich in B complex vitamins, vitamin A, C, and K.
Medicinal Uses of Wakame: Discourages tumors, Detoxifying, Aids congestion, Lowers blood pressure, Nourishing to the liver, Purifies the blood, Prevents arteriosclerosis, Healthy for the skin and hair etc.
Also used in Baths and Spas.
Place a handful of Wakame in a piece of cotton. Tie closed. Toss in hot bath. Squeeze gently and seaweed gel (algin) will be released in bath water. Add gel to face for a Seaweed facial.