IRISH MOSS (Chondrus crispus)
Family: Gigartinaceae
Parts commonly used: Dried thallus.
Properties/energetics: Nutritive, tonic, demulcent, emollient, expectorant/Cool, moist; slightly sweet, salty, bland.
Systems predominantly affected: Respiratory, urinary, digestive, skin, whole body.
Uses: A highly nutritive tonic and convalescence supplement. It is well-endowed with iron, iodine, bromine, and many other minerals, as well as vitamin A and the vitamin B complex. Its mucilaginous, demulcent properties make it valuable primarily for treating bronchitis, pneumonia, stomach inflammation, heartburn, and ulcers.
Combinations: Combines with Licorice for bronchial inflammation and with Marshmallow for easing stomach inflammation and indigestion.
Affects on specific body types: This nutritive, moisturizing seaweed nourishes the blood, the fluids, and the tissues, making it an excellent tonic for deficient conditions that manifest dryness. These restorative demulcent qualities are ideal to comfort and relax the Seer constitution. I have listened to people of this constitutional nature rave about its use as a food that soothed their lungs and lubricated their bowels.
Preparations/dosage: Decoction: 1/2 to 1 cup three times a day. Tincture: 15 to 40 drops three times a day. Works very well taken as a food prepared in puddings and smoothies.
By James Green, Herbalist, copyright 2008
For more information please refer to James Green’s book, The Male Herbal, 2nd Edition