What Actually is Sea Moss?

There is too much conflicting information about sea moss on the internet and it can be challenging to differentiate fact from fiction, and name from name. But not for much longer. I will be your personal sea moss mythbuster - uncovering the truth backed by solid proof. This will be a long one so grab a cup of tea (or a glass of wine)!

Sea moss, also known by its scientific names Genus Gracilaria, or Eucheuma Cottonii, is one of 190 species of the Gracilaria seaweed, but is one of twenty four types of Gracilaria that can be used as food and medicine.

Sea moss gets its name from its appearance. It has a lush, ruffled appearance and tends to blanket cover rocks underwater, hence the name moss. It has no correlation to land plant mosses such as Ivy.

Gracilaria species are different types of red algae grown in regions including Asia, Africa, and the West Indies (Saint Lucia and neighbouring islands). All Gracilaria seaweed species are apart of the red algae family. Yes, sea moss is an algae, NOT a plant.

Algae are a range of different aquatic eukaryotic (meaning the nucleus is the powerhouse of the cell) organisms that possess the unique ability of being able to be self-sustinent through the process of photosynthesis, but lack roots, stems, and leaves. Gracilaria and red algae are also known by its other scientific name Rhodophytes.

Studies show that red algae (rhodophytes) breed rapidly and are regenerative, edible, and environmentally friendly. Red algae are rich in active components used as anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, and anti-tumor activities.

Sea moss and its cousins (some notable family members include Nori and Sea Chichory) are an important source of novel pharmaceutical and therapeutic compounds which solidifies the statement of it being an incredible superfood.

Red algae consists of 60% of the world’s seaweed production; it is a desirable resource due to its high levels of polysaccharides, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and also due to its incredible ability to be a gelling agent to make agar and carrageenan.

In conclusion, I hope this blog post gave you more clarity as to what sea moss is!

Dried Sea Moss in a bowl.