Sea kelp and Irish moss both grow in sea water along coastal shores. As a foodstuff or as an extracted supplement, both plants are high in iodine and other minerals. Sea kelp is a kind of seaweed, whereas Irish moss is a form of algae. Consult your doctor before making significant changes to your diet or if eating either of these plants as they may interact with your medications.
Sea Kelp
Sea kelp is another name for Fucus vesiculosus, also known as brown kelp seaweed, marine oak, sea wrack or bladder wrack. This kind of seaweed is common on the coasts of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Sea kelp is different from "kelp," which is a different species of seaweed. Sea kelp can be eaten as food and contains a significant quantity of iodine. Sea kelp has been proposed as beneficial in weight-loss efforts, reducing menstrual symptoms improving the quality of your skin when applied topically. None of these effects have yet been conclusively proven in clinical trials.
Irish Moss
Irish moss is a name used to describe two plants: the seaweed known as Chondrus crispus and the land-growing plant Sagina subulata. The seaweed form of Irish moss, also known as carrageen moss, is a type of red algae that grows on rocky shorelines of the Atlantic ocean between North America and Europe. Some 10 percent of Irish moss is comprised of protein, and it also is rich in many minerals. Like sea kelp, Irish moss is a rich iodine source, and also contains significant quantities of sulfur. Seaweed mixtures sold as Irish moss, or carrageen, often also contain the seaweed Mastocarpus stellatus.
Considerations: Sea Kelp
When sea kelp grows in polluted waters, traces of pollutants, such as mercury, cadmium and arsenic, may be present in the harvested kelp. These toxic metals can pass into your body if you consume polluted sea kelp. Check with your doctor whether sea kelp consumption could affect any regular prescription medication you take. It is possible for sea kelp to augment the effects of certain medications for high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
Uses: Irish Moss
Carrageenan is extracted from Irish moss and used industrially as a stabilizer in food and drink products. Irish moss itself can be boiled into a jelly-like state and can be used as the basis for soup or jelly. In Ireland, Irish moss has traditionally been used as an herbal remedy for respiratory problems such as the common cold, flu or tuberculosis. Because of its high iodine content, Irish moss -- like sea kelp -- can be consumed as a therapy for hypothyroidism. In Jamaica, flavored beverages are made from Irish moss and sold fresh or in cans.
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