Western Herbalism
Irish Moss
Chondrus crispus
Also known as Carrageen, Chondrus, Carragheen, Caragahen, Carragaheen.
Traditional Western herbal remedy and nutritive tonic used as famine food in Ireland harvest from clean waters to avoid heavy metals whole plant preferred over isolated carrageenan extracts supports convalescence and mucous membrane health
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Indications what the tradition reached for it in
- Tuberculosis
- Insufficient breast milk
- Goiter
- Dehydration
- Constipation
- Duodenal ulcer
- Kidney and bladder affections
- Pulmonary complaints
- Bronchitis
- Peptic ulcer
- High cholesterol
- Hypertension
- Psoriasis
- Dermatitis
- Cough
- Rashes
- Respiratory tract irritation
- Eczema
- Convalescence
- Chronic weakness
- Diarrhea
- Systemic dryness
- Skin irritations
- Sunburn
- Sore throat
- Debility
- Dry cough
- Fatigue
- Infection
- Inflammation
Safety
The record lists 3 contraindications; open the plate in the library to read them in full.
Dosing as the sources wrote it
| Preparation | As written | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| Decoction | Decoction (jelly): 1/2 oz (15g) in 3 pints milk or water, steep cold 15 min then simmer 10-15 min, season with licorice/lemon/cinnamon | 1420 mL |
| Tincture: 1-2ml 3x daily | 1-2 mL | |
| Daily: 4g | 4000-4000 mg | |
| Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage: A decoction of Irish moss, with water or milk, is very nutritious, and may be used as a demulcent in chronic affections of the air passages, chronic diarrhoea and dysentery, scrofula, rickets, enlarged mesenteric glands, irritation of the bladder and kidneys, etc. As a culinary article it may be employed in the preparation of jellies, white soup, blanc mange, etc. The decoction is prepared as follows: Macerate ½ ounce of carrageen in cold or warm water, during 10 minutes | 15552 mg | |
| then boil in | then boil in 3 pints of water, or milk if stronger nourishment is desired, for a quarter of an hour. Strain through linen. Sugar, lemon-juice, tincture of orange-peel, essence of lemon, or other aromatics, as cinnamon or nutmeg, may be employed as flavoring ingredients. | |
| Johnson affirms that when thrown into the rectum, "it destroys any worms domiciliating there as effectually as choke-damps would destroy the life of a miner." The dose is from 10 to 60 grains, mixed with molasses, jelly, or syrup, or in infusion. | 648-3888 mg |
Doses are reproduced from the sources for practitioners and are not a recommendation for any person.
From the sources
Clinical Notes. Traditional Western herbal remedy and nutritive tonic used as famine food in Ireland harvest from clean waters to avoid heavy metals whole plant preferred over isolated carrageenan extracts supports convalescence and mucous membrane health
Properties and Uses. Carrageen is used for its demulcent influence in bronchial and pulmonary irritation, diarrhea and dysentery, and irritability of the kidneys and bladder. It is most available in recent colds and coughs, where it may be used freely in warm decoction.
Description. Natural Order, Algaceae. Genus CHONDRUS: Frond cartilaginous, nerveless, flattened, nearly cylindrical at the base, dichotomously divided. C. CRISPUS: Fronds thick, three to ten inches long, in wedge-shaped segments, narrow, cloven deeply; the margins tough, almost horny when dry, of a deep purplish-brown color, becoming a dirty yellowish-white when dried.
indications. Irish Moss is traditionally indicated for: Tuberculosis, Insufficient breast milk, Goiter, Dehydration, Constipation, Duodenal ulcer, Kidney and bladder affections, Pulmonary complaints, Bronchitis, Peptic ulcer, High cholesterol, Hypertension, Psoriasis, Dermatitis, Cough, and 23 further conditions.
Drawn from Cook's Physio-Medical Dispensatory; King's American Dispensatory, 18th edition (Felter and Lloyd), and the Bountiful Herbs editorial.
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