The Caribbean’s answer to self-care – sea moss

With Spring finally arriving, also comes a mad dash to get yourself fit and healthy for summer.

For some this includes groans of picturing themselves in last year’s summer outfits that have come that little bit too tight. For others it may mean dreading hay fever season and yet others just having the energy to get out more and exercise.

Whichever one of those you can relate to make sure to check out and include sea moss in your diet. Nope – I’m not telling you to make a mad dash to the seaside and collect sea moss. The sea moss I have been using successfully is from the beautiful island of Grenada and one of the Caribbean’s health secrets we simply don’t tap enough into.

What is sea moss?

It is a type of seaweed, specifically known as Irish moss or red algae. It is rich in vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K, iron; and packed with fibre and high sulphur for antibacterial properties. It also contains alginate, a substance that helps block your body from absorbing fat cells as well as help improve gut health by adhering to toxins and harmful bacteria in the gut and preventing them from being absorbed by your body.

Basically it’s a natural superfood.

Health benefits

• It boosts thyroid function

• It boosts your immunity, gut and digestive system health

• It contributes to weight loss

• It boosts your heart health

• It rids the body of excess mucus

• It increases energy

• It is a great source of iodine

• It builds muscle and workout recovery

• It reduces skin irritation, hydrates skin and encourages a natural glow, heals damaged skin, and can prevent breakouts

When do you see results?

Well that really depends on you and your current state of health. Usually you start feeling its effects in just a few weeks or days after taking it regularly. Everyone is different so I would give it around 3 to 4 weeks of consistent use to start experiencing its full benefits.

How to take it

There are two ways my mum taught me to take sea moss. For both it’s important to give the sea moss a good rinse to get rid off any sand.

You then soak the sea moss in a container for about 4 hours (you can leave it over night too). Depending on what you use it for depends on the quantity you put in to soak. Remember the sea moss will expand and soak up most of the water like a sponge. So you don’t actually need a lot.

1. You can use it in salads

Once you’ve soaked the sea moss just take it out, chop it finely and add to your salad. I must confess this is my least favourite option but I’m told it gives a nice little crunch to the salad.

2. Or you can take it as a jelly

This is my preferred option. Take the sea moss and pop it in a blender with the water still in the container.

Remember the water will have the nutrients of the sea moss.

Liquidise it until it becomes a smooth paste. This takes a while so patience is the key. The taste takes some getting used to so I usually add some cordial to it or lemon juice just to give it a bit more of a flavour. Once it’s smooth just pop it into an air tight jar or container and stick it in the fridge. It will thicken to a jelly.

They say one tea spoon a day will already help improver your health. There is no rule to my knowledge of when to take it but to get the day started off right why not try it as part of your morning routine?

If you’ve tried sea moss before or are giving it a go after this blog just DM me on Instagram or pop a comment below this post. I’d love to hear how you got on.

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