What’s The Story Behind Bladderwrack and Seamoss?

Bladderwrack and seamoss aren’t a new thing. They have been used as a food source and for medicinal purposes in cultures around the world for thousands of years.

With the focus on health and wellness being something that has become increasingly monetized, these two have found a welcome return to the limelight.

It’s better that we focus on the study of health instead of the study of disease and illness.

Now that might sound like semantics, but the power of words and the energy behind them is something that we are becoming more and more conscious of.

But you’re not here for that conversation. So let’s take a look at the story behind Bladderwrack and seamoss.

What is Seamoss?

Seamoss is best described as a collection of different species of seaweeds. Now, I agree that that sounds really vague, but there are so many different things being called ‘seamoss’ online these days.

Sure, you can go with the Instagram Influencer and YouTuber hype and take their word on what real seamoss is. Or, you can dive in to some aquaculture and phycology resources to find out the truth.

Some great places to start are the Developments in Applied Phycology publications, and the International Seaweed Symposium publications.

The popularization of seamoss was something that Lisa (Left Eye) Lopes fanned, along with Doctor Sebi. Think what you like about Dr. Sebi; I’m not here to change perceptions or beliefs, simply to challenge you to find out for yourself.

Given that we all have much better access to an ocean of information today than we have at any other time in history, let’s use our resources to get a better picture of what exactly seamoss is.

If you were to take the example offered by Dr. Sebi as Chondrus Crispus being the real seamoss (as named at approximately 48 seconds in the video below), the footage in one of his public appearances uncovers his understanding of the species.

What Sebi holds up (at approximately 4 minutes and 8 seconds) looks more like a specimen of Gracilaria or maybe Eucheuma Cottonii.

As only two of the known and named species, these are consistently being recategorised as our understanding of the 35,000+ species of seaweed improves.

Sebi may not have had (or chosen to have) access to the power of the Internet at the time. But the video and the phycology text books don’t lie. Compare the two images below.

Chondrus Crispus
Bladderwrack and Seamoss - result
Eucheuma Cottonii

I know I’m going to stir some disagreement with this point. I’m only asking you to do your own research rather than trusting the words of others. In fact, Sebi taught people to always challenge things and learn; so do that.

Are Bladderwrack and Seamoss good for you?

Seamoss has some amazing properties, and I’ve enjoyed the benefits that it offers for a long time. We’ve shared a lot about our experiences here with seamoss. Some of the best being outlined in our top 10 benefits of seamoss.

I’ve found that I really notice the difference in my body when I don’t have seamoss now. It’s become a core part of my day!

I’ve been using seamoss to help with improving digestion and it’s made a really positive impact. I no longer feel sluggish. I feel like I’m not needing to eat as much.

And I feel like my energy levels are higher. And that’s not even going in to the topical application of seamoss gel at night for younger looking skin.

On its own, it is great, but when you have a mix of Bladderwrack and seamoss you’re in a whole other league.

In fact, many people believe that Bladderwrack holds the last of the 102 minerals found in the human body.

Seamoss is accredited with holding 92 minerals. In that regard, Bladderwrack is the icing to the seamoss cake.

What is Bladderwrack?

Bladderwrack is a brown seaweed which normally grows in cooler waters. It has been found in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Known to grow between the low and high water mark, Bladderwrack is more often found in higher concentrations between these two water levels.

Bladderwrack

Bladderwrack is also found in the Baltic, but the concentration in that region over recent years has diminished. Native Bladderwrack species here have been impacted by increasing presence of Blue Green algae, and turbid waters.

Bladderwrack and seamoss can’t thrive in these conditions, and as a result, the naturally occurring supply begins to struggle to meet the commercial demand. This brings up the question of how seamoss and Bladderwrack are cultivated. If you’re a regular here you will know that we’re not supporters of wildcrafting.

Where does Bladderwrack get its name?

The name ‘Bladderwrack’ came from the little pods that are full of air that form on the plant. Theses pods are on the stem, or thallus. These are a part of the clever design that help the plant keep afloat and grow healthy.

So that’s the ‘bladder’ part of the name. What about the ‘wrack’ part of the name? Well, apparently that’s a term that was given to ships that were washed up on the shore way back in the day. So it’s something of an old English and Middle Dutch blend.

Therefore, you could probably argue that Bladderwrack’s name means a washed up bubble seaweed based on the etymology. Pretty cool, huh? Well, the waters certainly need to be cool for it to grow.

The scientific name for Bladderwrack is Fucus vesiculosus. It’s also been known as black-tang, sea oak, sea spirit, rockweed and other names over time. 1

Unlike seamoss, Bladderwrack has a leathery feel to it. Seamoss is more firm, but obviously gelatinous. In my experience, when you try to pull and snap a piece of Bladderwrack off the plant it won’t come as easily as sea moss will.

Bladderwrack used as a medicine

Did you know that Bladderwrack is credited with being the first plant turned to as a source of iodine? In fact, it was used to treat Goitre well over 100 years ago in Western medicine.

Similar to seamoss, Bladderwrack has anticoagulant properties. Consuming it while on blood thinning medication is not advised. Speak with your trusted Doctor or Dietitian before making Bladderwrack or seamoss a part of your diet.

More and more research into the medicinal applications of different species of seaweed is consistently underway. We are actively doing our own research and commissioning laboratory tests to improve the collective wealth of knowledge around these amazing marine vegetables. 2

The Detox And Cure Commitment to our Community

As a part of our commitment to our community, we have been taking action in the research and collaboration space, and have been visiting seaweed farms in different countries. Through the relationships we have built with Seaweed Farmers we have been able to inspect their operations and facilities.

sea-moss-gone-bad-with-mold
An example of when Sea Moss goes bad. We were helping Seaweed Farmers in Indonesia understand the challenges they face in harvesting and processing. This is a sample that was impacted by mold. Find this image on Instagram.
sea-moss-gone-bad-with-ice-ice
Ice-ice; a disease that impacts on the quality of seaweed, in this case Sea Moss, while growing in the open ocean. This happens whether sustainably harvested or growing wild. The potential for Ice-ice in wild seaweed is a lot higher due to the fact that there isn’t anyone tending to it from a crop perspective. Find this image on Instagram.

We are consistently working on accumulating data on the chemical composition of seaweeds like Bladderwrack and seamoss. We aim to scientifically identify the exact proportions of the minerals found in these particular seaweeds.

Understandable there will be variations from one crop to the next as these are subject to the conditions they are grown in.

If you are interested in finding out more about Bladderwrack and seamoss, or working with us, reach out. We’re happy to build a community effort and work together.

  1. “Fucus vesiculosus Linnaeus, 1753” – WoRMS Staff, Last checked 21 February 2024 [WoRMS] [Archive] ↩︎
  2. “Fucus vesiculosus” – Science Direct Staff, Last checked 21 February 2024 [Science Direct] [Archive] ↩︎

Last Updated on 1 month by D&C Editorial Team

6 thoughts on “What’s The Story Behind Bladderwrack and Seamoss?”

  1. Great Post!! I’m constantly researching seamoss, I’ve used both Gold and Purple. The stomach fat burn is pretty remarkable. I also see the benefits in skin and nails and mood funnily enough. I get mind from ***supplier respectfully omitted to protect their identity*** so I hope it’s the good stuff and not the fake cultivated version.

    • Thank you for your feedback, Marie. We’re pleased to hear t=that you have experienced positive outcomes.

  2. Some say sea moss from Atlantic ocean is better..i buy wild crafted Irish sea moss..i just started purchasing.. this website seems to go into detail well to understand its nature. Send me more info.. thank you.. I know dr sebi has contributed alot with healing.. he’s my jesus😁

    • Thank you for your kind feedback, Donald.

      Dr. Sebi has certainly reached a lot of us over the years, and some more so now that he has passed on.

  3. I did not know that seamoss had so many health benefits, until I listen to Dr Sebi. Dr Sebi turned me into a person that will continue to eat and use natural products forever, thank you Dr Sebi.

    • Hello Latoya,

      Thank you for sharing your thoughts. There is certainly a lot of value that has been gained through the teachings, for sure! I can say I’m grateful for the wisdom that has been shared too.

Comments are closed.

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About the Author

Matthew has been on an active journey towards living a healthy life from a young age. Influenced by his Grandmother, a practicing Naturopath who served her community from the 1940's to the 1980's, his views on living holistically were shaped from a young age. Growing up in different parts of Australia, his connection with the Ocean and a passion for sustainability comes through in everything he does and shares.

"I'm not a Doctor, and I don't play one on the Internet." - me

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