Linn.
Family: Fucaceae. (Laminaria sp.)
Habitat: On the shores of the United Kingdom, North Atlantic Ocean, North Pacific Coast of America; as a weed; found in Indian Ocean on the Manora Rocks. Allied species—F. distichus Linn., and F nodosus Linn. (Included in Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants, CSIR, also in its second supplement.) F. nodosus is found in India along sea shores.
English: Bladderwrack, Black Tang, Rockweed, Kelp.
Action: Weed—one of the richest source of minerals, chiefly iodine, sodium, manganese, sulphur, silicon, zinc and copper. Effective against obesity, antirheumatic. Stimulates circulation of lymph. Endocrine gland stimulant. Allays onset of arteriosclerosis by maintaining elasticity of walls of blood vessels. Mild diuretic, bulk, laxative, antibiotic. High sodium content may reduce effectiveness of diuretics.
(The herb contains trace metal, particularly iodine from 0.03-1.0%. It may contain waste metals such as cadmium and strontium, when grown in a polluted environment. Variable iodine content and arsenic contamination make the herb unsafe.)The herb should be used with caution in hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Excess thyroid activity maybe aggravated by the iodine content of the herb; it may disrupt thyroid function. One gram of Bladderwrack might contain as much as 600 mcg iodine (Ingesting more than 150 mcg iodine per day may cause hyperthyroidism or exacerbate existing hyperthyroidism.) (Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 2007.)Due to the antithrombin effects ofits fucan polysaccharides, consumption of the herb in cases of G1 bleeding disorders is contraindicated.(Included among unapproved herbs by German Commission E.)
Black tang. Fucus vesiculosis L. German: Algen. French: Algue marine. Italian: Alga marina. A sea-plant which transforms inert inorganic substances from the sea into organic minerals capable of nourishing the human body. One of the richest sources of minerals (micro-nutrients) chiefly iodine, sodium, manganese, sulphur, silicon, zinc and copper.
Keynote: thyroid gland.
Action: anti-hypothyroid, anti-obesic, anti-rheumatic, blood tonic, adaptogen, stimulates the circulation of lymph. Endocrine gland stimulant. Laxative. Antibiotic. Diuretic (mild).
Uses: Thyroid disease, thyroxin deficiency, simple goitre. Obesity of low-thyroid function, myxoedema (adaptogen). Faulty nutrition, listlessness, rickets, glandular ailments, general debility; to build up old broken-down constitutions. Cases requiring increased body heat – hypothermia. Allays onset of arteriosclerosis by maintaining elasticity of walls of blood vessels. Beneficial to male and female reproductive organs, liver, gall bladder and pancreas. Militates against onset of rheumatism and arthritis. Contains Vitamin K for prevention of strokes.
Combination. Burdock root, Clivers, Ground Ivy and Bladderwrack. (Heath and Heather)
Preparations: Thrice daily.
Teas: half teaspoon to each cup boiling water; infuse 15 minutes. Half-1 cup.
Liquid Extract: 1:1, 25 per cent ethanol, 5-10 drops.
Tincture, BHC Vol 1. 1:5, 25 per cent ethanol, Dose: 4-10ml.
Powder: important to those who do not eat fish or sea-foods. Added to soups, salads, cottage cheese; sprinkled on muesli or on a cooked meal.
Tablets/capsules. 300mg Kelp BHP (1983) with 12mg Kelp extract. 1 tablet or capsule thrice daily after meals. Not for children under five.
Diet: Combination rich in essential nutrients: Kelp powder, Alfalfa tea, Soya bean products, Dandelion (coffee). ... bladderwrack
Not a medical term. Puffy skin from deposition of fat. “Orange peel skin”. Occurs chiefly in women as lumpy flesh on buttocks, thighs, stomach, knees and upper arm. Though not due to increased fluid in the tissues, it is sufficient to arrest the circulation. Constriction of capillaries causes toxic wastes to build up, forming nodules that lock away fat in the tissues. Hormone imbalance also suspected. Varicose veins may appear with cellulite from poorly supportive connective tissue. Usual cause: poor posture and unhealthy lifestyle.
Treatment. To activate capillary function and assist toxic elimination: Bladderwrack, Gotu Kola, Kola, Parsley tea. A diuretic may assist by eliminating excess fluid.
Gotu Kola tea: Quarter to half a teaspoon leaves to each cup boiling water; infuse 5-10 minutes. 1 cup morning and evening.
Formula. Tea. Equal parts: Alfalfa, Clivers, Fennel, Senna leaves. 1 heaped teaspoon to each cup boiling water: infuse 5-10 minutes. Half-1 cup morning and evening.
Seline. Tablets. Ingredients: Each tablet contains Lecithin 100mg; Pulverised Dandelion 100mg; Pulverised Horsetail 100mg; Pulverised extract Fucus 5:1 30mg; Vitamin C 40mg; Vitamin B6 1mg. 1 tablet thrice daily.
Aescin. Compound isolated from Horse-chestnuts to decrease capillary permeability and swelling. Topical. Decoction of Horse-chestnuts as a lotion. Or: infusion of Bladderwrack.
Aromatherapy and Herb essences. Combination for external use. Ingredients: Almond oil 47ml; Fennel oil 1ml; Juniper oil 1ml; Cypress essence 0.5ml; Lemon essence 0.5ml. Apply to affected areas morning and evening; small area 5 drops, large area 10 drops (Gerard). Gentle massage with a string glove, loofah or massage glove.
Diet. Reduce calorie intake. Raw fresh fruits and vegetable salads to account for 50 per cent of the diet. No sweet or dried fruits. Conservatively-cooked vegetables. Seafood. Iodine-rich foods. Wholegrain cereals. Protein: beans, chicken, poached eggs, fish, little lean meat: no pork, bacon or ham. Low-fat yoghurt. Cold-pressed unsaturated oils for salad dressings with lemon juice. Dandelion coffee to stimulate liver. Avoid sugar, alcohol, bananas and white flour products. Spring water.
Supportives. Stop smoking. Adopt an alternative to the contraceptive pill. To avoid fluid retention, 2-3 glasses of water daily. ... cellulite
To promote production of hormones of the male and female sex organs (androgens and oestrogens), hormones of the adrenal cortex, pituitary, thyroid and other glands. Agnus Castus, Beth root, Black Cohosh, Blue Cohosh, Damiana, Helonias, Hydrangea, Kelp (Fucus v.), Liquorice, Oats, Sarsaparilla, Saw Palmetto, Squaw Vine. ... hormonal herbs