Fucus Vesiculosus

Bladderwrack

Fucus Vesiculosus (Bladderwrack) is a large brown algae or seaweed, commonly referred to as Kelp. The main frond grows to approximately 2 - 3 feet (60 - 90 cm) in height, with the rest of the plant branching out into long flat leaf-like extensions covered with air-vesicles. It's commonly found in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, off the coast of North America and Europe.

During the 19th century Bladderwrack was used extensively to treat obesity and low thyroid conditions. It was especially useful in the treatment of goiters (swelling of the thyroid gland) because of the plants high concentration of iodine. In addition to iodine, Bladderwrack provides a source for many other essential nutrients including: carrageenan, algin, potassium, bormine, mannitol, kainid acid, alginic acid, histamine, and vitamin C.

Today Bladderwrack is used to treat weight loss (ingredient in diet patches), hypothyroid, arthritis, and high cholesterol, just to name a few. This plant has been widely researched and accepted by the UK Medicines Control Agency (MCA) as a suitable active ingredient for oral administration in herbal medicines, with a medical claim for the treatment of obesity.

October 21, 2004