Seaweeds in the Health & Beauty Industry

 In Asia seaweed is often eaten as a regular part of the diet two or three times a week, and there is now evidence to indicate that these high levels of seaweed consumption may have health benefits.

Seaweeds are high in vitamins and minerals and have their own unique components and pigments not found in land based plants.   Medical research indicates that Fuciodan from the brown seaweeds, Bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus) Kombu (Saccharina japonica and Wakame (Undaria pinnatidifa) may be responsible for the low rates of breast cancer in Japan, in fact Okinawa where these seaweed are eaten uncooked appears to have the lowest rate of cancer mortality in the whole of Japan. (Prof M Guiry, www.seaweed.ie)

Kelp extracts are used in Japanese skin care products, (and now increasingly in Western skin care products) to block the breakdown of hyaluronic acid, a protein building block which increases skin elasticity.

The high mineral and vitamin concentrations found in seaweed extract may also help to balance the skin's natural moisture content.

In addition to all these benefits Kelp also contains sulfated polyfucose, an antioxident which could protect the skin from UV radiation and environmental pollution.   (Andrea Marshall - Seaweed Extract Used in Japanese Skin Care)

Seaweed extracts have also been shown to have antipyretic,
analgesic, and anti-inflamatory properties by researchers in
Korea.   (Antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities
in the seaweed Sargassum fulvellum and Sargassum thunbergii
in mice.   J Y Kanga, M N A Khana, N H Park, J Y Chob,
M C Lee, H Fujii, Y K Honga)

Seaweed Baths

In Ireland there has long been a tradition of seaweed baths to get rid of aches and pains.  Seaweed baths are  reputed to be excellent for rheumatism and arthritis, a wonderful treatment for the skin and a great cure for insomnia.   This services is offered in many spa and specialised seaweed bath houses.

Here in Cornwall there is a small but growing band of seaweed bath addicts who rush to the beach after a winters storm with bags and bins.     A few tips for the would be seaweed bather;   wash the seaweeds in the sea before taking them home.  Make sure that all the animals who live on seaweeds have vacated their home!!   Choose a mixture of Kelps, Thongweeds and Wracks since they all have different properties, put the seaweed in the bath and cover with really hot water.  Leave until cool before climbing in!!   You will probably feel rather sleepy while in the bath since that is one of the effects.   Don't leave the seaweed in the bath overnight or you will find thick clumps of firm jelly all over the bottom of the bath!!   The seaweed can go straight into the compost bin.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/5287770.stm



Dulse (Dillisk) Palmaria palmata
(Castle Beach - Crissy Haydon 2009)
 
Seaweed Body Wraps & Face masks

Thallassotherapy is now available at spa's throughout the world, and includes a number of body treatments and therapies involving seawater and seaweed products in some form or another.   Seaweed body wraps are a popular detox and de-stress treatment, thought to reduce fluid retention, tighten sagging skin and help the body eliminate toxins.

Speaking from experience these recipes can be messy.  Best prepare with plastic sheets, space blankets or something similar before hand.    You will probably find that you are thirsty after a seaweed wrap.   So as part of your detox treatment make sure you have a large glass of water after or during your wrap.

Basic Recipe

2 cups of powered clay  (pink kaolin for dry skin, yellow kaolin for normal or Bentonite for oily)
1 cup powdered seaweed (Dulse or Kelp)
2 tablespoons almond oil

Bring 8 cups of water to the boil and leave to cool.
Mix the dry ingredients together add the oil and stir into the  8 cups of distilled water until the mixture is thick and gloopy.  Dip your towel strips into the mixture and wrap around your body.  Lie down under a space blanket and relax for twenty minutes.  Drink a big glass of water with fresh lemon juice, and head for the shower.


Face Mask

1/2 cup spa facial clay
1/2 powdered kelp
1/2 aloe vera gel

Mix ingredients together with a few tablespoons of distilled water, added a little more as needed until the consistency is thick and gloopy.  Smooth gently over the skin and neck, leaving the skin close to the eyes bare.   Lie back and relax for ten minutes before removing with warm water.  Pat dry.

Alternatively with Fresh Kelp

Pick a bucket full of fresh kelp from the beach, always check that you leave any lifestock in the form of sand shrimps or nudibranchs where they are.  Wash quickly in cold water to remove sand, and then bring to the boil for twenty minutes.  Leave to cool, and then lie down on a towel and wrap the strips of kelp across and round you.  Its helpful to have a friend around at this point!  Cover your self with warm towels and a space blanket, with a thick warm blanket on top.  Relax for twenty minutes and once again head for the shower after drinking a big glass of water.
Seaweeds & E Numbers

Seaweeds are extensively used in the cosmetic and beauty industry, from toothpaste to hair conditioner.
Alganates       E400-405
Agars             E406
Carageenan    E407

Cyanobacteria - Blue Green Algaes

The two main species used for human consumption are Spirrulena maxima and Spirrulena platensis
These blue-green algaes have a tremendous range of habit from fresh water to marine waters.  Spirrulena is considered by some to be the super food of the future with its high levels of digestible protein ( 61-70%) and a complete balance of amino acids.   These microalges are now grown in pond
and tank aquaculture.

http://www.oilgae.com/algae/types/blue_green_algae
/blue_green_algae.html
LATEST NEWS

Nutrition: Let’s eat seaweed

It’s good for the thyroid, nutrient-rich and can even help to fight fat
 
It is green, slimy, and currently the food favoured by those on a mission to be slender. With Victoria Beckham reportedly encouraging her fellow Spice Girls to knock back a seaweed-based shake each morning, to help them get into shape for their forthcoming tour, and with “macrobiotic” dieters such as Madonna and Cindy Crawford consuming it by the bucketful, the sea vegetable has become inextricably linked with svelteness in celebrity circles. But even scientists agree that could be more than the latest fad.  Full article here.

Sept 23, 2007  http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/
food_and_drink/article2472720.ece



Seaweed extract protects against cervical cancer

Algae compound surprisingly effective at preventing cancer-causing viral infection.

by Narelle Towie, Nature News
http://www.bioedonline.org/news/news.cfm?art=2656






 Seaweed anticoagulant trials
 http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/
2008/06/17/2277169.htm

Posted Tue Jun 17, 2008 12:36pm AEST
Updated Tue Jun 17, 2008 3:24pm AEST




Researcher Dr Helen Fitton with jars of the Japanese pest seaweed undaria. (ABC News: Mark Smith)

A Tasmanian company is using seaweed to develop an alternative to the pharmaceutical drug Heparin.

Trials using seaweed harvested from Tasmanian waters to prevent blood clots have been positive.  Full Article
IRISH SEAWEED COMPANY 'CREAM' NEW
BUSINESS THANKS TO MICROTRADE ...
The West of Ireland shores contain the purest marine waters in the
world, a fact not lost on aqua engineer Seamus Mac Chathmhaoil
and his wife Deirdre, who is a member of the Society of Cosmetic
Scientists. Their marriage is not only one of love, but also of business
expertise because the couple have combined their experience and
knowledge to produce a range of luxury seaweed-based beauty
products.

 http://www.rinamara.com/
 

http://www.springerlink.com/content/y1776710r6rw373w/     jan 2008

Anti-allergic effects of the brown alga Eisenia arborea on Brown Norway rats
INTERESTING WEBSITES
http://www.seaweedjellydiet.com/seaweed-shakes.html

http://www.oilgae.com/algae/types/blue_green_algae
/blue_green_algae.html

http://www.seaweedireland.com/
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