Can You Use Sea Moss for Allergies?

Allergies are one of the most common chronic health conditions and may affect up to 80% of people in the world. While pharmaceutical treatments work great for some, they fail to relieve many patients and cause unbearable side effects for some. Alternative and all-natural solutions to treat allergies and relieve the symptoms exist.

Sea moss, also called Irish moss or Chondrus Crispus, is the newest “hot” product in the health and wellness industry. This unique Atlantic seaweed is believed to have numerous and diversified health benefits.

So, what about allergies? Can sea moss help with allergies?

Does Sea Moss Help With Allergies?

While more and more sea moss benefits are backed up by science now, its effects on allergies have not yet been studied. The effects of sea moss on allergies may be directly related to the immune system.

There’s a clear relationship between allergies and the immune system. Indeed, allergies are the result of the immune system’s response to a substance, an allergen, or an irritant. It reacts to an identified enemy. The weaker the immune system, the more likely a person will develop allergies.

Sea moss is believed to help strengthen the immune system. It’s very rich in minerals and vitamins, including iron and antioxidant compounds that boost energy and immunity. Consequently, taking sea moss regularly would help prevent developing allergies.

But let's dive a bit deeper into the topic. Can sea moss help with allergies that already exist? The answer varies depending on the types of allergies. While whole Irish moss may help relieve skin allergies, its effects on respiratory or food allergies are more limited.

Skin allergies

Skin allergies, also called contact dermatitis, are temporary outbreaks occurring when the skin is in contact with an allergen or an irritant. Symptoms include rashes, blisters, itching, redness, bumps, and others.

Skin allergy is probably the type of allergy where sea moss can be the most effective. While it won’t get rid of your allergies, Irish moss has incredible benefits for the skin and can help alleviate most allergic symptoms.

Sea moss gel is a great all-natural alternative to pharmaceutical creams for allergies, eczema, dermatitis, and a wide range of other skin conditions.

When applied topically, sea moss has numerous benefits for skin allergies:

• It’s a good moisturizer and humectant, helping dry and irritated skin to recover.

• It contains high levels of vitamin E. Besides being a great skin moisturizer, vitamin E is commonly used in dermatology for its capacity to soften the skin and reduce swelling, reddening, and thickening.

• It creates a strong protective barrier on the skin. Sea moss’s high amount of polysaccharides (carrageenan) helps create a film that protects the skin from further aggressions and allergic reactions.

• It’s naturally anti-inflammatory. Its high content in vitamins A, C, and E helps reduce inflammation and soothe allergic reaction symptoms.

• It’s healing. Sea moss contains a lot of zinc, known to be anti-inflammatory and to boost the healing process of the skin. Zinc is widely used in dermatologic topical creams for skin conditions like acne, rosacea, eczema, and ulcers. 

• It’s antimicrobial. The sulfur that’s naturally found in sea moss has antimicrobial properties to help keep allergic skin protected from bacterial infections even during a flare.

Related article: The complete list of sea moss minerals and vitamins

Sea moss gel is mostly safe to use on the skin, so you’re taking very little risk in trying it for your allergic reactions.

Note however that the effects of sea moss on allergic skin depend on the product. Sea moss nutrient levels are highly variable depending on where and how the plant grows. Make sure you’re using only high-quality organic and wildcrafted sea moss gel like the ones we have at Organics Nature.

 

Organics Nature’s Sea Moss Gel is 100% Organic & Wildcrafted

Respiratory allergies

Respiratory allergies are caused by allergens or irritants that are inhaled and trigger inflammation of the airway. Typical symptoms include sneezing, congestion, watery eyes, and shortness of breath.

Sea moss has been used as a powerful respiratory natural medicine since the 1800s. The Irish used it to treat various respiratory conditions.

Like most seaweeds, sea moss contains high levels of Omega 3 oils, chlorophyll, and potassium. These three natural ingredients help soothe the bronchial system by dissolving the mucus and acting as decongestants.

Sea moss may help cleanse the lungs and improve their function if you have respiratory allergies. Additionally, taking sea moss regularly may help improve breathing capacity and ease phlegm buildup.

The iodine that's present in large amounts in sea moss may even be recommended for certain forms of COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), as well as for certain chronic respiratory conditions in children. 

While it’s unclear whether sea moss can help prevent or cure respiratory allergies, the above studies show that it may help treat or alleviate the symptoms.

Related article: Does sea moss help with mucus and phlegm?

Food allergies

Food allergies are the immune system’s reactions after a certain food is eaten. While the causes are still mostly unknown, the consequences can be extreme and even life-threatening in the worst cases. 

Food allergies must be taken seriously. Drugs like antihistamine or epinephrine, as well as emergency medical attention, are sometimes the only way to effectively treat allergic reactions to food. 

There’s very little evidence that sea moss can help with food allergies. In any case, sea moss won’t be efficient as an emergency response to a food allergic reaction.

However, taking sea moss regularly may help reduce the occurrence of food allergies. Some of its natural compounds and nutrients have proven to help reduce food allergies.

Research has shown that vitamin and mineral supplements including Vitamin D, multivitamins, zinc, calcium, and selenium may help reduce food allergies in children. Sea moss is one of the richest ingredients in vitamins and minerals. Introducing it into your diet can be a good idea to fight food allergies. While it's mostly safe to use, make sure to stick to the recommended dosage.

Can You Be Allergic to Sea Moss?

While we’re on the topic of sea moss and allergies, allergic reactions to sea moss are also worth mentioning. Even though they’re very rare and sea moss is considered a safe ingredient, allergic reactions are a possible side effect of using sea moss.

Can you take sea moss if you’re allergic to seafood?

Technically, you can eat or apply sea moss on your skin even if you're allergic to seafood. Seaweeds like sea moss do not contain any fish proteins, which is the most common allergen in seafood allergies. Still, if you have a seafood allergy, you should use sea moss with caution and ask for your doctor's advice first.

Can you take sea moss if you’re allergic to iodine?

Sea moss is one of the natural ingredients with the highest content of iodine. Iodine isn't considered to be an allergen, and it's even a vital element for the body to function. However, some people might suffer from iodine intolerance, especially if taken in great quantities. If you suffer from iodine intolerance, you should not take sea moss.

Sea moss benefits for allergies are still to be discovered and backed up by science. Have you ever applied sea moss gel on your skin to alleviate an allergic reaction? Share your experience with us below.

References:

- Manger D, Walshaw M, Fitzgerald R, Doughty J, Wanyonyi KL, White S, Gallagher JE. Evidence summary: the relationship between oral health and pulmonary disease. Br Dent J. 2017 Apr 7;222(7):527-533. doi: 10.1038/sj.bdj.2017.315. PMID: 28387268.

- Chronic nonspecific diseases of lungs (CNDL) and iodine deficiency diseases in children. Turdikul Bobomuratov, Gulchekhra Isakova, Dilshoda Akramova, Alimardon Kuziev. European Respiratory Journal Sep 2011, 38 (Suppl 55) p1164

- Meyer R, De Koker C, Dziubak R, Skrapac AK, Godwin H, Reeve K, Chebar-Lozinsky A, Shah N. A practical approach to vitamin and mineral supplementation in food allergic children. Clin Transl Allergy. 2015 Mar 10;5:11. doi: 10.1186/s13601-015-0054-y. PMID: 25780558; PMCID: PMC4361144.