Sea moss is one of my all-time favorite superfoods and skincare ingredients. Upon mixing it into my smoothies regularly, I noticed a significant change in my skin, energy, and mood. This fantastic plant can help support immunity, thyroid health, digestive function, mood, reproductive and sexual health, joint health, and relieve anemia.

It contains potassium chloride that helps with inflammation and phlegm in mucous membranes; this is one reason the late Dr. Sebi was a huge advocate of its consumption. He believed that all disease stems from mucus build up in our system, and sea moss helps dissolve mucus.

This superfood also has 90 of the 102 minerals our bodies need to thrive, including the 12 essential minerals such as selenium, calcium, potassium, and magnesium, as well as Vitamins D, F, A, E, and K. The iodine content helps support the thyroid because the thyroid uses iodine to make thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) and has even been used to help treat thyroid dysfunction. (1)

It is also antimicrobial and antiviral, making it even better for the immune system. Since it has a mucilaginous consistency and supports mucus membranes like the digestive tract, it adds even more benefit to our immune system. 

Culinarily it adds a great texture to raw desserts like pies, ice cream, and puddings. Click here to find my Lemon Meringue Pie recipe that features sea moss. 

Topically it is an effective face mask that can help with hydration, premature aging, and even blemishes. When you think about the abundance of minerals in this plant, it is no wonder that one application can leave your skin hydrated and glowing. I use it twice a week to help nourish my skin.

How To Prepare Sea Moss

You can also learn how to use sea moss in this video.

1. Rinse off.
2. Place in a glass jar filling up the only ¼ of the jar then fill the rest of the jar (to the top) with clean filtered water. It will expand dramatically overnight.
3. 24 hours later, remove the moss, do NOT toss out the water if you are making a mask or blending it up. Rinse the moss. 
4. If you are using it in a recipe, stop there and proceed with the recipe directions.
5. If you are making a mask or blending it up to have the gel on hand to add to smoothies or other dishes, place it in a high-speed blender with some of the soaking water. 
6. Blend until it is a smooth consistency is reached. You will need to stop blending and push the pieces on the sides down as you go. 

For culinary use outside of dessert recipes 

1. Place the blended gel in a glass jar and refrigerate. It will become a more solid gel after refrigeration.
2. Add 1-2 tablespoons to smoothies, sauces, or dips and enjoy!
3. The blended gel will last for about two weeks, refrigerated. 

For face masks

1. Place some of the gel in a small glass jar. 
2. Optional: Add a few drops of your favorite essential oils. I like to use neroli, rose, manuka, frankincense, helichrysum, and roman chamomile.
3. Place in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
4. When you are ready to use it, apply a medium-thin layer to your face, and let it dry, 10-30 min. It may become a bit tight or tingle, depending on what essential oils you’ve added.
5. Wipe off with warm water and moisturize.

** Always do a patch test first! 

For dessert recipes

1. You will want the moss to be soaked and shaken dry but NOT blended. 

Pecan Pie Recipe – Adapted from Sweet Gratitude 

*I love Sweet Gratitude as it helped teach me to make raw desserts; however, they use a great deal of agave, and it is NOT a healthy food. Click here to learn why I recommend avoiding agave.

Crust

• 3 cups macadamia nuts
• ⅛ tsp salt
• 1 Tbsp gelatinized maca 

Directions

1. Process all of the ingredients together. Be careful not to over-process as it will become oily and not stay together as a crust.
2. In a 9-inch pie pan, push the processed ingredients into an even crust. 
3. Set aside.

Pecan filling

• 1 ½ ounces Irish moss by weight
  • Follow the directions above for soaking. Remove excess water from the moss before weighing it. Always weigh it twice; a slight mismeasurement can throw off the recipe. 
• ¾ cup filtered water
• ¾ cup maple syrup
• 1 ½ cups pecans
• 9 ounces date paste
• 2 tablespoons liquid vanilla
• 2 tablespoons yacon syrup or additional maple syrup
• ⅛ tsp salt

Directions

1. Blend the moss with water and ¾ cup maple syrup until the moss is completely broken down.
2. Process the pecans alone until they are a paste-like consistency.
3. Add the processed pecans to the blended ingredients along with the vanilla, yacon syrup, and salt until smooth.
4. While still blending, add the date paste one heaping spoonful at a time.
5. Continue to blend until there is a very smooth consistency. 
6. Pour the blended mixture on top of the crust.
7. Decorate as desired, optional. 
8. Set in the fridge for 20-30 min.

There you have it! The many wonderful benefits of sea moss internally and externally. Have you tried this superfood? Or would you? Comment below!

Resources

1. Jane Teas, Lewis E. Braverman, Mindy S. Kurzer, Sam Pino, Thomas G. Hurley, and James R. Hebert.Journal of Medicinal Food.Mar 2007 
2. Liu J, Banskota AH, Critchley AT, Hafting J, Prithiviraj B. Neuroprotective effects of the cultivated Chondrus crispus in a C. elegans model of Parkinson’s disease. Mar Drugs. 2015;13(4):2250–2266. Published 2015 Apr 14. doi:10.3390/md13042250
3. Stefanis L. α-Synuclein in Parkinson’s disease. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med. 2012;2(2):a009399. doi:10.1101/cshperspect.a009399