Used as an infusion, decoction, extract, food additive and encapsulated supplement.

Bladderwrack is widely used commercially as a thickening agent in foods and pharmaceuticals.

Kloss, author of 'Back to Eden,' describes the medicinal properties of bladderwrack thus: 'The best remedy for obesity. Good for all glandular afflictions, goiter, and scrofula. Has an excellent effect on the kidneys.'

Grieve, below, recommends it both internally and externally for rheumatic pain as well.

Bladderwrack contains relatively large amounts of iodine, which is necessary for normal thyroid function.

Current scientific studies of bladderwrack, of which there are quite a few, indicate that the high fucoidan content of this plant, because of its verified immune and inflammatory balancing effects, appears to be responsible for some of the observed beneficial optimizing of thyroid function.

Bladderwrack also contains alginic acid, a dietary fiber which relieves constipation and diarrhea. The antacid Gaviscon®, composed of magnesium carbonate and sodium alginate, the sodium salt of alginic acid, has been shown to be effective relief for heartburn.

Test tube and animal studies have shown alginic acid to help heal wounds, lower the unwelcome LDL cholesterol level, and have antiviural and antibacterial action in the body. Similar studies have shown Bladderwrack's other major element, fucoidan, to have similar effects.

Grieve's classic 'A Modern Herbal': 'It has alterative properties, has been used in scrofula, and is thought by some authorities to reduce obesity through stimulating the thyroid gland.'

'The charcoal derived from Kelp has been used in the treatment of goitre and scrofulous swellings under the name of Æthiops vegetabilis or vegetable ethiops, introduced by Dr. Russell in 1750, who also used a jelly for similar purposes, both internally and externally. He was also successful in dispersing scrofulous tumours by rubbing in the mucus of the vesicles of Bladderwrack, afterwards washing the parts with sea-water. The charcoal was also helpful in goitre. The iodine from other sources led to the neglect of kelp products.'

'In 1862 Dr. Duchesne-Duparc found while experimenting in cases of chronic psoriasis, that weight was reduced without injuring health, and used the drug with success for the latter purpose. Dr. Godfroy experimented on himself, losing five and a quarter pounds in a week after taking before three meals a day an extract made into pills containing 25 grams (3.75 grains). The bromine and iodine stimulated the absorbent glands to increased activity, without causing an atrophied wasting of the glands. Later experiments of Hunt and Seidell indicated that the result is brought about by stimulation of the thyroid gland.'

'Sea-pod liniment, is the expressed juice and decoction of fresh seaweed as dispensed by sea-side chemists for rheumatism, and the extract, taken continuously in pills or fluid form is reputed to relieve rheumatic pains as well as to diminish fat without harm.'

'Sea-pod essence is good for rubbing into sprains and bruises, or for applying on wet lint under oiled silk, as a compress, changed as often as hot or dry. It may be preceded by fomentations of the hot decoction.'

'Fucus or Seaweed wine, from grapes and dried Fucus, has been praised as a remedy in diseases of the hip and other joints and bones in children.'

'For external application to enlarged or hardened glands, the bruised weed may be applied as a cold poultice.'

'Dosage: Of charcoal, 10 grains to 2 drachms.'

'Of extract, 3 to 10 grains, in pills, massed with powdered Liquorice or Marshmallow roots, to reduce swelling and obesity'.

'Of liquid extract, 1 to 2 fluid drachms. It is the basis of many advertised nostrums. Sodium and potassium iodides are often added to supplement the small proportion of iodine. It is used in mixture form, generally with alkali iodides and sometimes in combination with Liquor Thyroidei.'

'Of decoction, 2 fluid ounces, three times daily.'

'Of infusion, 1 wineglassful.'

'Solid extract may be dissolved in diluted alcohol and mixed with syrup.'

'(All doses for combating obesity are gradually increased.)'

'Of fluid extract, 10 minims.'

'The Alginic acid obtained from seaweed is used to form an organic compound with iron, which is sold under the trade name of Algiron or Alginoid Iron. It contains about 11 per cent. of iron and is given in doses of 2 to 10 decigrams (3 to 15 grains).'

'Fucol is a trade name for a cod-liver oil substitute, said to be obtained from roasted Bladderwrack with a bland oil. It is green in colour, and resembles coffee in odour and taste.'

'Fucusin tablets are recommended in obesity.'

British Pharmaceutical Codex, 1911: 'Bladder-wrack has been used to reduce glandular swellings, but is now employed principally as an 'antifat,' forming the basis of most advertised nostrums of this nature. It has been stated to influence the activity of the thyroid gland to a greater extent than any other iodine compound for the proportion of iodine present.'

'For the preparation of pills the solid Extractum Fuci is suitable. The liquid extract is used in mixture form, generally with alkali iodides, and sometimes in combination with Liquor Thyroidei, another remedy which increases metabolism and hence diminishes weight. The alginic acid obtained from seaweed is used to form an organic compound with iron, which is sold under the trade-name Algiron, or Alginoid Iron. It contains about 11 per cent. of iron, and is given in doses of 2 to 10 decigrams (3 to 15 grains).'

Greg Kelly, N.D.:

Dr. Kelly's extensive bibliography of contemporary bladderwrack research articles is available on:

http://www.dadamo.com/napharm/store3/template2/fucus.htm

'The historical uses of Fucus vesiculosus were primarily as an agent to enhance thyroid function in cases of goiter and as an aid in weight loss for obesity. This remains the primary use of this plant today in natural medicine.'

'Typically, the credit for its activity in thyroid conditions has been given to its high content of iodine; however, the high fucose content of this plant, because of its immune and inflammatory balancing effects, appears to be responsible for some of the observed benefits on optimizing thyroid function in blood type O's.'

'If you are a blood type O and plan on consuming bladderwrack as an aid to metabolism and thyroid health, this plant generally works very slowly. A minimum of 3 months is probably warranted, but in many instances best results are produced when bladderwrack is consumed regularly at a low dose for about 1 year.'