When we eat Irish moss in it’s whole-food form, it has a healing, effect. Read on to find out how you can reap the nutritional best from this under-used ingredient:

What Is Irish moss?
Irish moss, also known as sea moss, grows on rocks close to the shore in the Atlantic ocean and Caribbean sea. Like other sea vegetables, it is rich in iodine and other trace minerals.

Why I love it
Irish moss, when soaked and simmered (see directions below) and added to recipes, adds a thick, creamy silky texture to homemade nut and seed milks, ice creams and  dairy free soups.  Aside from the cooking benefits, it’s also a healing powerhouse. It’s one of nature’s best foods for thyroid support helps soothe and heal the digestive tract, is jam-packed with potassium and helps us detoxify by drawing out heavy metals.

The potassium chloride present in Irish moss helps dissolve catarrhs which cause congestion (read: snot). It also contains natural antimicrobial and antiviral agents, helping rid the body of infections.

Why you’ll love it
Irish moss thickens homemade nut milks, soups, and smoothies. Aside from the texture, you won’t even notice it’s there — it’s virtually tasteless once it’s prepared into a gel. In addition to it’s health benefits, it’s also a fantastic topical treatment for eczema and psoriasis.

Why you need it
If you suffer from thyroid or digestive problems, you must try Irish moss! It’s also a great alternative to store-bought nut and seed milks that are infused with the  processed derivative carrageenan that I strongly encourage you to avoid. If you make a batch of Irish moss just once a month it will be enough to add to shakes and milks as you need.