Bladderwrack

Bladderwrack (Fucus versiculosus) is our most effective thyroid restorative plant. This familiar olive-green to yellow-brown seaweed contains a soothing gel like substance called mucilage along with a metabolically active substance fucoxanthin which raises metabolic rate generally. It also contains many nutritionally important minerals, most notably iodine which is the most important mineral for the proper functioning of the thyroid gland.                                

Bladderwrack also has some stimulatory action on the immune system. It contains lectin-like mucopolysaccharides (large sugar molecules) such as Fucoidan which help prevent cancer and assist with the natural fight against bacteria, viruses and several Candida species.

References

1. Bone, K (2007) The Ultimate Herbal Compendium: A Desktop Guide for Herbal Prescribers. Phytotherapy Press: Warwick, Australia.

2. Pengelly, A (2004) The Constituents of Medicinal Plants. CABI Publishing: Washington, USA.

3. Mills, S. (1988) The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism: A Comprehensive Guide to Practical Herbal Therapy. Healing Arts Press: Vermont.

4. Wiess, R.F. (2001) Weiss’s Herbal Medicine: Classic Edition. Thieme: New York

5. Wren, RC, Williamson, EM, Evans, FJ (1998) Potter's New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations. The CW Daniel Company Ltd: Essex, UK