Plant Profile: Bladderwrack / Kelp

Bladderwrack (A.K.A. Kelp)

(Fucus vesiculosus)

Family: FUCACEAE

Energetics: 

Taste: Salty.

Tissue States: 

Systems Affected: 

Parts Used: Whole plant (a common seaweed)

Key Components: Algin. Mannitol. Carotene. Zeaxanthin. Iodine. Bromine. Polysaccharides. Polyphenols. Tannins. Sterols. Minerals (Iodine, sodium, chlorine, phosphorus, iron, calcium, sulphur, silicon, potassium, magnesium, copper, zinc, manganese) Vitamins A, B complex, C & E. 

Preparations & dosage: Infusion: Steep 2-3 tsp in 1 cup boiled water for 10 minutes. Tablets: 

Actions: 
Foundational: Demulcent.
Primary: Anti-hypothyroid. 
Secondary: Nutritive. Anti-rheumatic. Anti-viral. 

Uses: 
Iron content makes it an important plant for an iron deficient thyroid. 

Fatty degeneration of the heart. 

Cleanses the lymph and kidneys. 

Poor digestion. 

Water retention. 

Combines well with: 

Identifying: 

Growing:

Harvesting:

Contraindications: 

Sources: 

The Complete Herbs Sourcebook: David Hoffman. Pg 223

The Earthwise Herbal: Volume 1: Matthew Wood. Pg 263-265

Studies: