Water Plants - Herbs Of The Ocean

The ocean, the sea, the lakes- all the water that surrounds us offers much more than we think. Besides being a vital part for all environmental cycles around us, those bodies of water are also a home to a plethora of sea plants falling under the common name of "seaweed." Those plants are filled with minerals, vitamins and protein and should not be overlooked when it comes to holistic nutrition and self-care rituals. 

Seaweed is the general name used for various marine species and algae that grow into the sea, ocean or lakes. It could be edible or toxic, can vary in size and can various health benefits and properties. Here, we're exploring some of the most potent seaweed types.

Nori

Nori is an edible Japanese seaweed containing a ton of micrunutrients. It's rich in vitamin A, K, C and B, as well as calcium, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus. It's often used as a sheet for wrapping sushi. Just a single sheet of nori contains as much calcium as one egg.

The nori is known to aid digestion as well as the thyroid function due to its iodine. On top of all this, it contains fibre, protein and DHA fatty acids, making is super nutritious and great for vegetarians. 

Kelp

Kelp is a large brown algae, known as the "superfood from the sea" as it contains 10 times more calcium than milk and more vit C than orange juice. Due to this, it's a great supplement for supporting bone health. As the nori, it also supports the thyroid due to iodine contents. 

Kelp contains the natural fiber called alginate, which inhibits fat absorption by up to 75%, aiding in weight loss and maintenance. 

Wakame

Wakame is an edible seaweed that has been used in Japan and Korea for centuries.

It's very low in calories and high in nutrients, including iodine, manganese, folate, magnesium and calcium. 

As the other seaweed types, it has high concentration of iodine, supporting the thyroid gland. 

Adding wakame to your diet also shows reduced blood pressure and heart disease risk. That's connected to its property of reducing cholesterol levels, which are directly correlated to heart conditions. Some studies also show that it has an ability to improve insulin resistance.

Chlorella

Chlorella is a single-celled, green freshwater algae, that is known for its impressive health benefits. 

Chlorella has a hard wall, so it must be taken as a supplement in order to fully absorb its positive nutrients. 

The algae has an impressive nutrients list, making it a 'super food.' 50% of it is protein, complimented with omega 3s, fiber, iron, vit C and other minerals.

Chlorella can aid the body in getting rid of toxic metals, as it has a binding property which allows it to attract such harmful chemicals and releasing them from the system. 

Chlorella is also a powerful immune stimulant that can power up the body's fighting properties and make it more robust in fighting free radicals. It also has antioxidant properties, that help fight chronic diseases.