Sea kale

Sea kale (kelp) is a brown algae, characterized by a high content of macro- and microelements, in particular iodine. It is widely distributed in the northern seas. In the extraction and processing of algae, the laurels of the championship belong to Japan. Laminaria is used in nutrition (for the prevention of endemic goiter), medicine (for the production of laxatives), cosmetology (to improve skin condition) and in agriculture (as a fertilizer).

To fill the body’s daily need for iodine, it is enough to consume 40 g of fresh kelp per day. Interestingly, the doctors of ancient China called the seaweed sea ginseng because of its ability to improve well-being and quickly restore human strength. In addition, cabbage contains sterols (“fighters” with cholesterol), which prolong the youth of the body, prevent the development of atherosclerosis and improve blood counts. These compounds resist the formation of blood clots and normalize the menstrual cycle in the beautiful half of humanity.

Useful Properties

The greatest value for the human body is fresh or dried kelp, obtained in the cold northern waters. Interestingly, seaweed grows throughout life (11-18 years) in places with a constant current and can reach up to 20 m in length.

Eastern countries have long used this product in a variety of ways. Soups are cooked on its basis, sweets, marshmallows, sauces and salads are prepared. Seaweed is pickled, frozen, dried, fried and consumed fresh. It is a unique source of fiber, proteins, polysaccharides, phytosterols, vitamins A, B, C, PP, E, D, K, H, potassium, calcium, sulfur, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, iron, iodine, boron, bromine.

Medicinal properties of seaweed:

1. Neutralizes radionuclides, removes salts of heavy metals and toxins, reduces the risk of cancer. Laminaria owes these properties to biologically active substances – alginates. They are used in the food industry under the codes E400-E404, E406, E421 in the manufacture of ice cream, bread, creams, jelly, jam. Thus, “E” is not always preservatives, sometimes it is simply the components of sea kale that have a beneficial effect on the human body.
2. Normalizes bowel function, has a mild laxative effect, is indicated for use in chronic constipation. In the stomach, kelp swells, which causes a reflex increase in intestinal motility.
3. Facilitates the process of losing weight, normalizes metabolism.

Seaweed is a low-calorie product (10-25 kcal / 100 g), which, when ingested, dulls the feeling of hunger for 2-3 hours. As a result, weight loss is much easier. ^[1].

4. Replenishes iodine deficiency in the body, due to which the function of the thyroid gland is normalized. Treats Basedow’s disease, endemic goiter and hyperthyroidism ^[2].

Interestingly, in the Far East, dry kelp is added to the dough for baking bread, based on the calculation of 0,4 mg of powder per 1 kg of flour.

In addition, sea ginseng replenishes iron stores in the body, eliminating signs of anemia.

5. Removes bad cholesterol, participates in hematopoiesis, regulates blood pressure, improves memory.
6. Strengthens the immune system, nourishes the brain.
7. Normalizes the menstrual cycle, hormonal levels in women, increases the chances of conception. In addition, it is a powerful aphrodisiac that stimulates the activity, viability of spermatozoa in men and prevents erectile dysfunction.

Laminaria – a prophylactic against gynecological diseases in women (Trichomonas colpitis, inflammation of the appendages and uterus)

8. Improves the condition of the skin, removes the manifestations of cellulite, stretch marks (when used externally in the form of masks and body wraps).
9. Calms the central nervous system, increases the efficiency of the body, removes from prolonged stress ^[3].

Sea kale is a natural restorative and restorative remedy recommended for use by people after intense mental and physical stress, severe past illnesses. The product has immunostimulating, anti-sclerotic, detoxifying and laxative effects.

Indications for use: loss of strength, depression, overwork, thyroid disease, beriberi, anemia, obesity, high cholesterol, constipation, hormonal disorders in women, sexual weakness in men, blood diseases, arthritis, rheumatism, rhinitis, sinusitis, bronchitis , pneumonia, prostate adenoma.

Interestingly, with the regular use of seaweed, the likelihood of developing breast cancer in women is reduced by 60%.

Brown kelp contains fucoidan, which has blood-thinning properties. It is used in water procedures to eliminate rheumatism, cellulite and obesity.

Chemical composition

After extracting kelp from the depths of the sea, it is subjected to heat treatment and drying, since it consists of more than 85% water. However, these manipulations do not deprive it of its nutritional value. Despite the partial loss of moisture, vitamins and mineral compounds in sea kale are completely preserved.

The chemical composition of the product directly depends on the illumination, water temperature and sea salinity.

The calorie content of fresh seaweed is minimal and amounts to 10-25 kcal per 100 g.

The composition of polysaccharides is dominated by pectins – alginates (75% of the daily norm in 100 g) and only a small amount falls on starch and sucrose (less than 0,5%) ^[4].

100 g of the product contains 88 g of water, 3 g of carbohydrates, 2,5 g of organic acids, 0,9 g of proteins, 0,6 g of dietary fiber and 0,2 g of fat ^[5].

Laminaria is able to accumulate toxic compounds: strontium, arsenic and cadmium.

Characteristic features of sea kale are a slimy consistency, a rigid structure and a sharp iodine smell.

On sale are often presented sugary and Japanese kelp, which have the best taste. They have a soft texture and are used in cooking in any form: dried, fresh, canned, stewed, dried and frozen. Algae is added to soups, salads, mashed potatoes, stews, casseroles, borscht, pickles, cabbage soup, zrazy and cutlets. It gives a characteristic piquancy to the dish. In addition, dried sea kale is ground into powder and used as a seasoning.

Medicinal, technical raw materials are considered to be finger-dissected, curly, narrow and northern kelp. It is used in folk medicine, cosmetology and dietetics to maintain health, lose weight, prolong youth and beauty of the body.

Beware, laminaria

First of all, the potential harm, it would seem, of such a useful product is due to the environment in which it grows. Algae is able to absorb substances from the environment. In ecologically polluted areas, sea water may contain traces of radioactive elements, oil and heavy metals. In the process of growth, kelp absorbs these substances that are hazardous to human health and causes intoxication of the body, which neutralizes its beneficial properties. ^[7].

Sea ginseng, grown artificially, is high in iodine, therefore it is dangerous for people with hyperthyroidism.

Contraindications:

• diseases of the digestive system in the acute phase;
• high sensitivity to iodides;
• tendency to food allergies;
• age of 3 years;
• disruption of the endocrine system;
• hemorrhagic diathesis;
• kidney disease;
• acne, furunculosis.

Caution should be exercised by lactating, pregnant women so as not to cause pathology in the fetus. Laminaria is oversaturated with iodine, which, penetrating the placenta, in excessive amounts can lead to abnormal development of the child.

How to use

Dry seaweed is used as a seasoning for baked fish and first courses. It enhances their taste and gives the food a characteristic marine flavor. In addition, dry kelp can be consumed fresh, boiled. To do this, the algae is pre-soaked in water for 12 hours. During this time, it swells and becomes usable. In this form, seaweed is added to salads.

Currently, kelp sheets are becoming increasingly popular, used for cooking Japanese cuisine – sushi.

Today, there are more than 300 culinary recipes using this medicinal plant to maintain good health and fortify the body.

Seaweed is combined with many foods: rice, pasta, cheese, meat, fish, mushrooms and vegetables. This is a universal raw material for the production of original desserts (sweet pies, jams) and snack cakes. Laminaria is fried with potatoes, dried, marinated and served with any dishes: cereals, vegetables, meat or fish.

Enjoying a seafood delicacy, you should follow the norm, which is 100 g of the product per day. This amount is sufficient to cover the body’s need for iodine and pantothenic acid. The latter, in turn, stimulates the work of the adrenal glands, which are responsible for the production of adrenaline. This means that there will be no trace of apathy, blues and depression.

Consider the most popular recipes with seaweed.

“Japanese rolls”

Ingredients:

• sheets of kelp – 3 pcs;
• rice for sushi – 175 g;
• sugar – 15 g;
• salt – 2,5 g;
• rice vinegar – 20 ml;
• water – 250 ml;
• cucumber – 1 pcs;
• Avocado – 1 pieces;
• Philadelphia cheese – 100 g;
• lightly salted salmon fillet – 100 g;
• soy sauce;
• wasabi;
• pickled ginger.

Principle of preparation:

1. Rinse the rice under running water 5 times. Fill it with 250 ml of water and leave for 20 minutes. When the grains swell, you can start cooking. Place the rice in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over low heat, cook until the water is absorbed (about 15 minutes), and do not open the lid often. After the water boils off, turn off the fire, remove the container from the hot stove, cover and leave to reach for 15 minutes.
2. Prepare the rice dressing. To do this, sugar, salt, vinegar are mixed, slightly heated until the spice crystals dissolve, and added to the porridge. The rice should absorb the dressing and cool slightly.
3. Prepare the filling. Peel the cucumber and avocado and, together with the fish, cut into slices along the length of the kelp sheets. When the filling is ready, start cooking rolls.
4. Makisu (sushi mat) is covered with cling film, on top of which a sheet of kelp is placed. So that the rolls are not dry, the seaweed is lightly soaked with dressing. Then rice is spread over the surface of the laminaria with a thin layer, retreating from one edge of 3 cm. Slices of cucumber, avocado, fish are distributed on top and soft cheese is laid out in a strip.
5. With the help of a mat, the sausage is carefully rolled up and cut with a sharp knife dipped in water into 6-8 parts.

Ready rolls are served with pickled ginger, wasabi and soy sauce.

“Seaweed Salad Mermaid”

Ingredients:

• canned cabbage – 100 g;
• wine vinegar – 15 ml;
• crab sticks – 200 g;
• vegetable oil – 50 ml;
• fresh seaweed – 200 g;
• squid – 100 g;
• French mustard – 15 ml;
• Korean carrots – 100 g;
• a mixture of peppers;
• salt.

Method of preparation:

1. Seaweed is used in salads both fresh and boiled. In the second case, the seaweed is dipped in boiling water, cooked for 15 minutes, then thrown into a colander and washed under running water.
2. The carcass of raw squid is pre-peeled, then boiled for 3 minutes, depending on its size. Cool and cut into strips the thickness of a Korean carrot.
3. Coarsely chop crab sticks.
4. Prepare a dressing with a freshly ground mixture of peppers, French mustard, wine vinegar, salt and olive oil. Whisk all ingredients with a whisk.
5. Mix Korean-style carrots, seaweed, squid, canned corn and crab sticks.

Before serving, spread the salad on a serving dish and pour dressing on top, without stirring.

Laminaria for the body

Sea kale is a healing product extracted from the depths of the sea and is a storehouse of vital vitamins, macro- and microelements. It is used to prepare therapeutic baths and wraps aimed at normalizing metabolism, eliminating excess fluid, cleansing the body and eliminating dermatological problems.

For weight loss, kelp is used internally and externally. In the first case, it is introduced into the diet in encapsulated or tablet form. Preparations based on algae extract normalize metabolism and thyroid function, which have a direct impact on human weight ^[8].

Effects from external use in the form of wraps, masks, baths:

• improves skin tone;
• improves the external condition of the epidermis (gives smoothness);
• relieves swelling;
• reduces flabbiness of the dermis (has a slight lifting effect);
• accelerates metabolism in skin cells;
• reduces the appearance of cellulite;
• cleanses the dermis of toxins, toxins;
• prevents the appearance and helps to eliminate stretch marks ^[9].

There are the following forms of kelp release: bioadditive, thallus and powder.

Tablets with algae extract are intended for weight loss, prevention of vitamin deficiency and removal from the body of accumulated harmful substances that inhibit the process of dropping extra pounds during diet therapy.

Seaweed thalli are used for cold, hot and contrast wraps in order to solve dermatological problems and get rid of cellulite.

Dried kelp powder is suitable for making face and body masks. Their main purpose is nutrition and rejuvenation.

Body baths

Baths are used to increase blood flow, smooth cellulite, eliminate inflammatory rashes and remove all dead skin particles from the skin surface, relieve tension ^[10]. Similar procedures with seaweed are recommended to be taken for 2 months. To extract the maximum benefit for the body, the body is first washed with a scrub or a hard washcloth, and only after that the procedure is carried out. The bath is filled with water, 150 g of kelp powder is dissolved in it. The procedure is carried out on an empty stomach. Its duration is 20 minutes. The ideal time is an hour before bedtime.

Contraindications to taking baths: cardiovascular diseases, skin wounds, pregnancy, menstruation in women.

After the procedure, the skin does not need to be wiped with a towel. Let it absorb the kelp-enriched water and dry naturally.

body wraps

The main purpose of the procedure is to improve the condition of the skin (increasing the elasticity of the dermis, giving it a smooth and radiant appearance, eliminating cellulite, stretch marks) ^[10]. Wraps with kelp activate biochemical processes and increase blood circulation in fatty tissues. As a result, the skin on problem areas (buttocks, abdomen, hips, waist) is smoothed and tightened. Before performing the procedure, the skin is cleaned with a scrub.

Instructions for use:

1. Laminaria powder (160 g) is dissolved in 5 liters of hot water (60 degrees). This amount is enough to treat the whole body. The paste is thoroughly stirred for 2 minutes until a homogeneous consistency is obtained.
2. For active weight loss, a warm composition of kelp is applied to problem areas 20 minutes after preparation.

If the main purpose of the procedure is to fortify the epidermis or increase skin tone, the paste is pre-cooled for 1 hour, and only after that it is distributed over the body.

3. After applying the product to the skin, the areas are wrapped with cling film and left for 50 minutes, then washed off with water. The dermis is not wiped with a towel.

The frequency of the procedures is in 1-2 days. The duration of the course is 2 months. To speed up the result, kelp wraps are combined with physical activity and diet. Only with an integrated approach can the desired result be achieved.

“Marine” masks

Algae products are used to eliminate acne, oily sheen, dryness, irritation and flaking of the skin, smoothing wrinkles and old scars, narrowing pores, lightening freckles and age spots. Laminaria masks nourish, tone, moisturize and rejuvenate the dermis, have anti-inflammatory and anti-stress effects, and correct facial contours. Cosmetologists recommend using them to care for aging, aging and sagging skin. In addition, there are special recipes aimed at combating increased fat content and excessive dryness of the dermis.

For cosmetic purposes, use dry brown algae or dried kelp, which are sold in pharmacies. In any case, they must be ground into powder.

The basis for masks is prepared in the same way. Dry crushed algae (15 g) should be poured with warm water (100 ml) and left to swell and soften (15 minutes). After that, the paste is immediately applied to the cleansed face or mixed with additional ingredients.

Remember, sea ginseng gives a long-term cosmetic result, so the procedure should not be repeated more than 1-2 times a week.

Contraindications for use:

• extensive inflammation on the face (seaweed improves blood circulation in the local area of ​​​​application and can accelerate the spread of infection);
• skin rash;
• allergy to iodine;
• rosacea (will make the vascular network even more noticeable);
• pregnancy and lactation.

Laminaria has slippery leaves, so masks based on it are best applied to the face in the supine position. Ingredients should be selected based on the needs and type of the dermis.

Sea ginseng mask recipes:

1. Clay based. Increases skin elasticity, tightens pores, improves blood circulation in the epidermis, helps to get rid of blackheads.

Ingredients: blue clay – 5 g, dry seaweed – 5 g, warm boiled water – 5 ml. Cooking principle: mix the rest of the ingredients with the swollen algae until a homogeneous mass is obtained. Apply the paste on the face for 15 minutes, rinse with water without the use of cosmetics.

To care for problem skin prone to inflammation, an additional ingredient is added to the composition – the pulp of a fresh aloe leaf – 5 g.

2. Honey-oil composition. Used to smooth out wrinkles. It has a mild effect even on sensitive dermis. It is a universal remedy for the care of any type of skin, regardless of age.

Fruit sugars contained in honey retain moisture in the cells, preventing the dermis from drying out. In addition, this wonderful antiseptic promotes wound healing and has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect.

The oil nourishes the skin, relieves it of dryness, tightness and flaking. It is a natural source of polyunsaturated fatty acids and tocopherol, which prolong the youthfulness of the epidermis and slow down the aging process.

Mask ingredients: flower honey – 5 ml, seaweed powder – 5 g, olive oil – 3 drops. The principle of preparation, application and removal of the composition from the face is similar to that described in the first paragraph.

3. Gelatin. Contains collagen, which penetrates the skin and stops age-related changes in it, removes wrinkles. As a result, the complexion improves and its contour is tightened, black dots disappear, the dermis rejuvenates, and the sebaceous glands normalize. The mask is used to care for aging oily skin.

Ingredients: food gelatin – 5 g, dried seaweed – 5 g, herbal decoction – 50 ml. As a basis for the mask, you can use milk, fruit or vegetable juice.

Method of preparation: pour gelatin into a warm decoction of herbs, leave to swell, and then heat it in a water bath. When the composition becomes liquid, enter the prepared swollen kelp, remove from heat. Apply a warm mask on your face, wait until it hardens. During the procedure, mimic movements should be avoided. Rinse off the cured product with warm water.

Thus, seaweed masks tighten, soothe the skin, relieve inflammation, stress and fatigue. This is a universal “beauty guide”, which is suitable for the care of dry, oily, combination, sensitive, problematic and fading dermis.

Conclusion

Seaweed is a nutritious product that, due to its rich chemical composition, is highly valued in all corners of the globe. The beneficial properties of algae have been known since ancient China and Japan. Today, it is called sea ginseng because of the high content of a vital trace element – iodine.

Seaweed is indispensable in the prevention of coronary heart disease, thyroid disease, breast cancer, hypertension, vascular atherosclerosis, it neutralizes radionuclides, normalizes bowel function and metabolism.

The safe daily allowance is 100 g.

Laminaria is famous for its bactericidal properties, therefore it is used in medicine and cosmetology for the treatment of inflammation of the female organs and skin rejuvenation. Powder from green and brown algae is added to relaxing baths, face masks, wrap mixtures. This is one of the best remedies for fighting age-related changes in the dermis, removing acne, smoothing wrinkles and eliminating cellulite. Iodine regulates the production of sebum and dries up acne. Ascorbic acid is a natural antioxidant known for its anti-aging properties. Niacin whitens the dermis and improves complexion. Choline reduces oily sheen and soothes blemish-prone skin. Calcium levels its relief, potassium moisturizes, and iron nourishes the cells with oxygen and normalizes subcutaneous circulation. As a result, the metabolic processes of the skin improve, the second chin, swelling and bags under the eyes disappear.

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