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Botanical illustration of Sea Moss

Plate XIII · Seaweed

Sea Moss

Chondrus crispus

A frilly red seaweed, also called Irish moss, used for generations in Irish and Caribbean kitchens.

Type
Seaweed
Family
Gigartinaceae
Origin
Rocky North Atlantic coasts

Sea moss is a small, branching red seaweed that grows on rocks along the North Atlantic coasts of Europe and North America. Fresh, it ranges from deep purple to red; dried, it turns golden. In the Caribbean, the same name is also used for related seaweeds of the genus Gracilaria.

How sea moss is prepared

Harvesters clean the fronds and dry them in the sun. They are then soaked and blended into a gel or used in powders and liquid formulas. In ASPHODEL Soursop Bitters, it appears alongside soursop, senna, turmeric and ginger.

Tradition, research, and what is established

We keep these three things separate, because they are not the same.

Traditional use

In Ireland, Irish moss was boiled with milk into a set pudding, and in the Caribbean it is blended into a creamy drink. Both traditions treat it as a nourishing food.

Preliminary research

This seaweed naturally contains carrageenan, a gel-forming fibre widely used in the food industry. Research on it as a supplement is limited.

Established

Like other seaweeds, sea moss can contain iodine, and the amount varies a great deal between sources. Too much iodine can affect thyroid function, so check with a healthcare professional first if you have a thyroid condition. Seaweeds can also absorb minerals and metals from the water they grow in, so sourcing matters.

Reading a supplement label

On a supplement label, look for three things: the scientific name (Chondrus crispus), the part used (typically the whole dried seaweed), and the amount per serving listed in the Supplement Facts panel. Those details, taken from the supplier's documentation, tell you more about a product than any marketing claim.

Sea Moss in the ASPHODEL collection

In the ASPHODEL collection, you will find this ingredient in ASPHODEL Soursop Bitters. Each product page lists its ingredients and label details from verified supplier documentation, and the Botanical Journal explores the history and research behind the plants we work with.

Further reading on sea moss

Botanical reference: Chondrus crispus on Wikipedia

This page is educational and describes the history and characteristics of a botanical. It is not medical advice and does not describe the effects of any ASPHODEL product.

Find it in

Products with Sea Moss

All ingredients