Seaweed

Common names: Seaweed also is known as brown seaweed, red seaweed, kelp, carrageenin, and Irish moss.

Efficacy-safety rating:

●●...Ethno or other evidence of efficacy.

Safety rating:

What is Seaweed?

Seaweeds are marine algae, saltwater-dwelling, simple organisms that fall into the general category of plants. Most of them are the red (6,000), brown (2,000), or green (1,200) species and have root-like structures called holdfasts that serve an anchorage function.

What is Seaweed used for?

For centuries, seaweed has been of botanical, industrial, and pharmaceutical interest. Because of the high nutrient content, seaweed has been used as a food throughout Asia.

Traditional Chinese medicine used hot water extracts of certain seaweeds in the treatment of cancer. Additionally, the Japanese and Chinese cultures have used seaweeds to treat goiter and other glandular problems since 300 BC.

The Romans used seaweeds in the treatment of wounds, burns, and rashes. The Celts noted that ordinary seaweed contracted as it dried and then expanded with moisture. In Scotland during the 18th century, physicians used dried seaweed stem to successfully drain abdominal wall abscesses. They also inserted seaweed into the cervix in an attempt to treat dysmenorrhea. Many reports outline the use of seaweed to induce abortion. Seaweed was employed intravaginally for ripening of the cervix and was used rectally for strictures.

Research has led to the isolation of a number of polysaccharides from edible brown kelp seaweeds (Laminaria angustata, japonica, and religiosa), which slow the development of various induced cancers in laboratory tests. It has been noted that their extracts exert a stimulatory effect on B lymphocytes and macrophages, which may be used clinically for the modulation of immune responses. Breast cancer rates show dramatic differences in worldwide distribution; it appears that behavioral factors are involved. Epidemiologic studies have shown that the rates of breast cancer incidence in premenopausal women in Japan is about 3 times lower, and in postmenopausal women 9 times lower, than those found in the US. Not only do fewer Japanese women develop breast cancer, but when they do, they live longer than their counterparts in the US. One explanation for this may be the much higher consumption of dietary seaweed in Japan. The estimated per capita intake of seaweed in Japan ranges from 4.9 to 7.3 g/day. More clinical research is needed to fully understand the medicinal uses of seaweed.

Seaweed is used in calcium alginate wound dressings and for dilation of the cervix prior to gynecological procedures (although infections are a concern). There is limited information regarding its laxative, antibiotic, antifungal, and insecticide effects.

What is the dosage of Seaweed?

Seaweed fiber has been studied for mild hypertension at doses of 6 to 24 g daily. Calcium from seaweed and oyster shell has been studied in an osteoporosis trial at 900 mg daily.

Is Seaweed safe?

Contraindications have not yet been identified.

Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking. Avoid use.

Patients taking warfarin and consuming a large quantity of food containing seaweed may experience a change in INR because of seaweed's high vitamin K content.

Contact dermatitis, goiter, and, occasionally, GI effects.

Rare cases of potent inflammatory reactions, extreme GI symptoms resulting in death, and cholera.

References

Copyright © 2006 Wolters Kluwer Health

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