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Seaweed, Dulse | | |
Dulse is a sea vegetable that has a very distinct seaweed flavor and a soft, chewy texture. However, in capsule or liquid extract form, the texture, and to some extent the flavor, can be avoided if one finds it unpleasant. Cultivated along the North Atlantic coasts of North America and Europe, this `sea lettuce' grows with a stronghold on rocks and develops edible reddish-brown fronds.
While most sea vegetables contain a wealth of protein, vitamins, and minerals, dulse is no exception. The iodine content alone makes dulse the ideal vegetable or supplement for those who require balancing of the thyroid and its metabolic processes. Dulse also has detoxifying and cleansing properties that benefit many systems of the body. While scientific research of dulse, specifically, is scarce, studies related to iodine deficiency and thyroid function are widely accepted.
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| Common Name | | | Seaweed, Dulse
| | | Botanical Latin Name / Classification | | | Palmaria palmata
| | | Parts Used | | | Fronds
| | | Other Names | | | Sea Moss, Kombu, Wakame, Nori, Sea Lettuce, Dillisk, Creathnach, Salt-Leaf, Sea Parsley, Sea Dulse.
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| | | Description | | | Dulse is a sea lettuce similar to kelp. It is good source of oceanic trace minerals, but is lower in iodine than kelp, and milder in flavor. Dulse is a red algae with edible fronds and has a soft, chewy texture. It has a salty, spicy flavor that makes it a good introductory sea vegetable for beginners. Native to the North Atlantic coasts of the United States and Europe, dulse has a long history in Northern European cultures. Traditionally, dulse has been eaten by both the Irish and Atlantic Canadians for food and medicine. North Atlantic dulse, which grows to between 6 and 12 inches (15 to 30cm) long, is the variety that is commonly available.
Dulse grows from the mid-tide portion of the intertidal zone (the area between the high tide and low tide) and into deep water. Fronds may vary from rose to reddish-purple, and range from about 20 to 40 cm (8" to 16"). From June through September, it is picked by hand at low water, brought to drying fields (or spreading grounds) and put through a shaker to remove shells pieces, etc. The fronds are spread thinly on netting and left to dry, turned once and rolled into large bales to be packaged or ground later.
Sun-dried dulse is eaten as is or is ground to flakes or a powder. It can also be pan fried quickly (garlic butter optional) into tasty chips, baked in the oven covered with cheese then add salsa, or microwaved briefly for a crispy treat. It can also be used in soups, chowders, sandwiches and salads, or added to bread/pizza dough. Fresh dulse can be eaten directly off the rocks before sun-drying. A variety of dulse is cultivated in Nova Scotia and marketed as Sea Parsley, sold fresh in the produce section.
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| | | Traditional Internal Uses | | | Dulse provides a natural source of iodine, an essential trace mineral that is needed by the thyroid gland to maintain proper metabolism. The thyroid gland secretes iodine-containing hormones that balance your metabolic rate - the speed at which you use the energy from your food. Iodine also helps the body to burn off excess fat, and efficiently regulate your energy level whilst stimulating cell growth. The thyroid supports a wide range of functions from controlling our weight, heart rate, cholesterol level in the blood, muscle strength and skin condition to our eyesight and emotions. A healthy thyroid is essential for all-round health. Seaweeds, in general, are considered to be thyroid stimulators and gland balancers helping to regulate metabolism.
With this rich supply of nutrients from the sea, Dulse has the buffering ability to neutralize wastes from body fluids and more easily discharge them from the body. It also aids cleansing since it can bind radioactive strontium, barium, and cadmium in the gastrointestinal tract preventing their absorption into the body. Seaweeds may reduce the risk of poisoning from environmental pollution by providing fiber that increases fecal bulk and also reduces cholesterol levels through the retardation of bile acid absorption.
Liquid Dulse can help to soothe an irritated throat and mucous membranes. It has been used for enlarged thyroid and lymph nodes, swollen and painful testes and to reduce edema. All of these things can be caused by a malfunction of the thyroid gland.
Dulse has elements to eliminate excess uric acid from the system and has been used for uro-genital problems such as kidney, bladder, prostrate, and uterus. Clinical documentation shows that taking some each day can reduce enlarged prostrates in older men and urination can become painless.
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| | | Indications | | | Primary Indications: Thyroid Disorders (Hypothyroidism / Hyperthyroidism), Metabolism, Nutritional / Dietary Imbalance
Secondary Indications: Detox / Toxicity, Heavy Metal Poisoning, Waste Excretion, Gastritis / Gastric Juices, Mucous Membrane Support, (Glandular System), Immunity / Immune Disorders
Other Indications: Hypertension (High Blood Pressure), Urinary Tract Infections and Inflammation, Respiratory Problems, Circulatory System / Circulation
Other Indications: Joint Pain, Swelling / Inflammation
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| | | Actions | | | Anti-Inflammatory, Antiviral, Balancing / Equalizing, Detoxifying, Hypertensive, Immunoactive / Immunomodulatory / Immunostimulative
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| | | Constituents / Nutrients | | | Dulse contains calcium potassium, magnesium, iron, iodine, manganese, copper, chromium, zinc, and vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, C and E.
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| | | Scientific Research and Pharmacologicial Actions | | | Ryan Drum, Ph.D., herbalist and seaweed specialist determined how the constituents in dulse, and other red sea algae, act on the body with anti-viral and thyroid-supporting properties.
Sea Vegetables as an Anti-Viral
Several elements in sea veggies that make plausible their traditional use as antivirals. Fucoidan, a water soluble compound found in the brown algae, has been shown to interfere with every stage of viral attack: cell attachment, cell penetration, and viral intracellular penetration. He also notes that certain polysaccharides or glycoproteins from red seaweeds (dulse and laver are red seaweeds) have been successfully used in treating genital herpes and Herpes Zosters. He also notes in the seaweed literature that carrageenan derivatives have expressed strong antiviral activity.
Sea Vegetables and the Thyroid
Most seaweeds are a good source of Iodine 127, the biomolecular compound the thyroid gland needs for proper functioning. Ryan Drum, Ph.D., points out that bladderwrack (Fucus species) provides di-iodotyrosine (DIT) which is a precursor to forming the essential thyroid hormones Thyroxine (T4) and Tri-iodothyronine (T3). He claims that in providing the immediate precursors for T4 and T3 Fucus seems particularly effective in treating both hypothyroidism and Graves hyperthyroidism.
Another important reason to get plenty of sea vegetables' Iodine 127 into the thyroid is to prevent uptake of radioactive and toxic Iodine 131, which in modern times has a background presence in our food and air supply, and which is likely to be a major pollutant of a nuclear accident. By "loading" the thyroid with healthy Iodine, we can maintain our health even if fallout levels increase dramatically. On a cautionary note, Dr. Drum advises that those people who are iodine sensitive should avoid the northern deep-water kelps that have exceptionally large amounts of iodine. Sea vegetables such as Dulse, Laver, Nori, and Bladderwrack that have lower concentrations of iodine may provide a good alternative.
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| | | Research | | | "Under The Sea: Super Nutrition From The Ocean's Depths"
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| | | Precautions / Contraindications | | | None documented.
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| | | Interaction with Medications | | | None documented.
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| | | Possible Side Effects | | | None documented.
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| | | Dosage | | | Liquid Extract: Take 1 ml, approximately 15-20 drops (1/4 teaspoon) in water once daily.
Dried Extract: Dulse capsules are generally available in strengths that range from 500 to 1000 mg. Within herbal blends, quantities of dulse are significantly smaller. Typically, a capsule strength of 500 to 600 mg is recommended to be taken 3 times daily.
Note: Rather than taking iodine in it's straight form, many doctors suggests thyroid patients consider adding seaweeds to their diet. In particular, they recommends dulse which they find beneficial for hypothyroidism, rather than kelp. Dulse has a far better flavor than kelp, and different mineral composition that seems nutritionally better suited for thyroid patients.
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| | | References | | | Our thanks to the following information resources: WholehealthMD.com, Healthrecipes.com, Grandmanannb.com, Seaveg.com, and The Herbsplace.com.
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| | 1 product | | | Seaweed, Dulse (Read all about Seaweed, Dulse.)
Botanical Latin Name: Palmaria palmata
Plant Part: Fronds | |
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These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor.
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