Bladderwrack is a brown seaweed found in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. It is also known by several other names, including sea wrack, black tang, bladder fucus, sea kelp and Fucus vesiculosus, which is its scientific name. In some cultures, bladderwrack and other seaweeds are a common part of the diet. It is also used medicinally throughout the world, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Geography
Bladderwrack is commonly found on the northern coasts of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans as well as in the Baltic and North Seas. Because it is commonly harvested in coastal Asian nations, it has long been used as a staple of the diet and for herbal and alternative medicines in places such as Vietnam, the NIH says.
Medicinal Uses
Historically, bladderwrack was used to treat an array of medical conditions, including stomach and urinary conditions, asthma, boils, coughs, ulcers, tumors and headaches. Because of its high iodine content, it has also long been used to treat goiters and other thyroid conditions. Today, its purported uses include cancer prevention, diabetes control, hypothyroidism, weight loss, easing menstrual irregularities, fatigue fighter, skin care and cellulite fighter, according to the NIH. However, studies have not definitively demonstrated its efficacy in any of these uses.
How It Works
How bladderwrack is purported to be effective medicinally depends on the condition it is being used to treat. The iodine in the plant is what may make it useful in treating thyroid conditions. It is also said to have antioxidant and antibacterial properties that can make it useful for improving skin conditions and treating urinary infections, according to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Additionally, it may have anti-estrogenic properties that can be helpful in treating menstrual irregularities.
Available Forms
Bladderwrack supplements are available in several forms and can be used both topically and internally, according to the NIH. Tablets and capsules containing an alcohol extract can be taken by mouth. Drops of an extract can also be consumed, and a beverage can be prepared by mixing the plant with water. Topical applications are typically promoted for weight loss.
Side Effects
Most people can safely tolerate bladderwrack supplements, but in some cases, side effects can develop, among them acne or other skin rashes, increased bowel movements, changes in thyroid activity, lowered blood sugar levels, stomach discomfort and lowered red blood cell counts, according to the University of Utah Huntsman Cancer Institute. Also, because the waters where bladderwrack grows can be contaminated by heavy metals, it's possible to develop kidney and nerve damage because these metals are toxic. To prevent against this toxicity, only use bladderwrack products that are harvested from clean waters.
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