Savvy to Seaweed...

 Seaweed is another of our worlds age old beauty secrets.  A food source, a medicine chest, and an  advocate for beauty and vitality anchored into another world, not inhabited but often visited by humans.  Pelagic seaweed (meaning living at sea, growing independently of land) has been used by coastal villagers for food, medicine and beauty since the dawn of time.

Seaweed Harvest

Seaweed Harvest

Seaweed Harvest

Seaweed has been harvested by hand and sun dried world over for century upon century. Harvest methods have included leaving a couple of inches of plant attached to its parent rock or surface, which in turn allows faster regrowth. Only today, with increased demand on sea vegetation do we begin to see unsustainable practices with seaweed harvesting occur. Prior to the last 50 years, seaweed was harvested on a much smaller scale.  Allowing the forests below the waves time to regenerate and propagate.  Today there are companies touting 100,000 tons of commercially harvested sea vegetation annually.  Poverty stricken coastal towns have offered jobs (even here in the USA) mechanically harvesting 6 tons of seaweed per day at a pay rate of $25.00/ton.  There are companies that vacuum harvest certain seaweeds such as Irish Moss, with serious threats to both the ecosystem as well as huge numbers of by-catch of other fauna.

Seaweed Farm in China

 Thankfully though, there are sustainable seaweed farms happening around the globe.  People have found different ways to create surfaces that seaweed attaches to easily and harvest and re-harvest as one would take lettuce leaves  from a home garden.  Taking some fronds as they reach maturity and leaving the rest to continue growth.

 There are hundreds and hundreds of varieties of seaweed world over.  It is found in every ocean across the globe.  These plants draw an incredible amount of minerals, micro and macro nutrients from the water that surrounds them.  Some seaweed have a mineral content of up to 36% of total dry weight!  They have Vitamins A, B's (1, 2, 3, 6, and 12) , C, E, D, K and Folic Acid.  Over 60 trace minerals such as flourine, calcium and magnesium are found hidden within their leafy fronds. B vitamins are known for protecting the skins surface and helping reduce inflammation.  Flourine, calcium and magnesium restore radiance to the skins complexion. It is full of lipids, proteins, which are easily absorbed to moisturize and nourish the skin.  This helps to maintain firmness and deep seeded hydration of the dermal layers. There are many amino acids and enzymes present in seaweed that are potent anti oxidants, fighting off free radicals and working to promote tissue regeneration and elasticity.  Algae's and Seaweeds are a superfood for the skin. Ultimately skin is made healthier by simply using this ingredient.

Brown Algae

BROWN ALGAE:

Brown Algae has a chemical component called Citrinol that has been found effective in fighting against gram-positive bacteria, including bacteria associated with acne and acne inflammation.  It helps boost collagen production (which works hand in hand with elastin) one of the major components in keeping skin firm, youthful looking and wrinkle free.

Green Algae

GREEN ALGAE:
Green Algaes work wonders with dry, irritated and edematous skin due to over exposure to the elements.  It has detoxifying and antiseptic properties and is found in numerous skin benefiting personal care items. It's anti-inflammatory properties make it a wonderful ingredient for sensitive skin, and this group of algeas in particular have great natural propensities to reducing redness and excessive irritation.

Red Algae

RED ALGAE: 
 Red Algae is the best of all the algae types for drawing out impurities and toxins as well as  regulating oil levels of your skin.   When applied topically, Red Algae draws out toxins and helps the skin absorb some of its many nutrients.





SEAWEED: restores moisture levels, revitalizes and firms skin, nourishes, oxygenates and detoxifies skin, balances oil levels, cell generating, purifying, improves skin texture and tone, makes hair shiny, cleanses, soothes, slows skin aging, restores micro and macro nutrients to the skin.

 DIY SEAWEED BATH: 

Get dried seaweed in bulk from your store; Kelp and Dulse are both great options but any kind of seaweed will work.  10 lbs of wet seaweed dries out to 1 lb of dried seaweed.  Online sources may be another great place to purchase bulk seaweed from.  Twenty dollars will give you 5-6 baths worth of plant material.

add 3-4 oz of seaweed mixture (or single type) to a muslin bag, cheese cloth or some other enclosed bag that will allow the nutrients to seep out and into your bath water.  (3-4 oz is approx 2.5 lbs of wet seaweed). Keeping it enclosed will make clean up after bath time much simpler.

Allow your self 20+ minutes to soak in this nutrient rich water.  For something a little extra add a couple of drops of your favorite essential oil to the water, sit back and relax.

This and more from the head soap maker at RECHERCHE ORGANICS.  Master Herbalist, Holistic Nutrition Consultant, Soap Maker extrodinaire...

http:///www.rechercheorganics.com