Seaweed, Kelp, Bladderwrack

Fucus vesiculosus is a brown seaweed that grows on the northern coasts of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, and the North and Baltic seas. Its name is sometimes used for Ascophyllum nodosum, which is another brown seaweed that grows alongside Fucus vesiculosus. These species are often included in kelp preparations along with other types of seaweed.
The Vietnamese consume seaweed as food in various forms: raw as salad and vegetable, pickle with sauce or with vinegar, relish or sweetened jellies and also cooked for vegetable soup. As herbal medicine, seaweed is has been used for traditional cosmetics, treatments for cough, asthma, hemorrhoid, boils, goiters, stomach ailments, urinary diseases, reducing the incidence of tumors, ulcers and headaches. Although Vietnam has an abundance of algae floral with total number of species is estimated to be nearly 1000 species of which there are 638 species of marine algae identified.

Synonyms

Black-tang, bladder, bladder fucus, Blasen-tang, brown algae, common seawrack, cut weed, Dyers fucus, edible seaweed, fucoidan, fucoxantin, Fucus, green algae, Hai-ts'ao, kelp, kelpware, knotted wrack, Meereiche, Quercus marina, popping wrack, red algae, red fucus, rockrack, rockweed, schweintang, sea kelp, sea oak, seetang, seaware, seaweed, sea wrack, swine tang, tang, Varech vesiculeux, vraic, wrack.

Evidence

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

Uses based on scientific evidence

Antibacterial/antifungal
Laboratory study suggests antifungal and antibacterial activity of bladderwrack. However, there are no reliable human studies to support use as an antibacterial or antifungal agent.
Anticoagulant (blood-thinner)
Laboratory study has found anticoagulant properties in fucans or fucoidans, which are components of brown algae such as bladderwrack. However, there are no human studies to support this use.
Antioxidant
Laboratory study suggests antioxidant activity in fucoidans, which are components in some brown algae. However, there are no human studies to support use as an antioxidant.
Cancer
Several brown algae, including bladderwrack ( Fucus vesiculosus ), appear to suppress the growth of various cancer cells in animal and laboratory studies. However, currently there are no reliable human studies to support a recommendation for use in cancer.
Diabetes
Based on animal research, extracts of bladderwrack may lower blood sugar levels. However, there are no reliable human studies to support a recommendation for use in hyperglycemic conditions, such as diabetes.
Goiter (thyroid disease)
Bladderwrack contains variable levels of iodine (up to 600 micrograms of iodine per gram of bladderwrack). As a result, it has been used to treat thyroid disorders such as goiter. Although there are case reports of seaweed/kelp products causing hyperthyroidism, there have not been studies of dosing, safety, or efficacy, and there is no widely accepted standardization of iodine content for these products. While the evidence does suggest thyroid activity, there is not enough research to support this use of bladderwrack.
Weight loss
Bladderwrack and other seaweed products are often marketed for weight-loss. Theoretically, thyroid stimulation from bladderwrack may increase metabolism and cause weight loss. However, safety and effectiveness have not been studied in humans.

Uses based on tradition or theory

The below uses are based on tradition or scientific theories. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.
Antiviral, atherosclerosis, arthritis, benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), bladder inflammatory disease, cervical cancer, colon cancer, eczema, edema, enlarged glands, fatigue, heart disease, hair loss, heartburn, herpes simplex virus, high cholesterol, hormone dependent cancers, kidney disease, laxative, lymphadenoid goiter, lymphoma, malnutrition, menstruation irregularities, obesity, parasites, psoriasis, radiation protection, rheumatism, sore throat, stool softener, stomach upset, swollen or painful testes, ulcer, urinary tract tonic.

Dosing

The below doses are based on scientific research, publications, traditional use, or expert opinion. Many herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly tested, and safety and effectiveness may not be proven. Brands may be made differently, with variable ingredients, even within the same brand. The below doses may not apply to all products. You should read product labels, and discuss doses with a qualified healthcare provider before starting therapy.
Standardization
Standardization involves measuring the amount of certain chemicals in products to try to make different preparations similar to each other. It is not always known if the chemicals being measured are the "active" ingredients. There is no known standardization for bladderwrack. Because of the potential contamination of bladderwrack with heavy metals, its consumption should always been considered potentially unsafe.
Adults (18 years and older)
General use (by mouth): Soft capsules (alcohol extract) in doses of 200 to 600 milligrams daily have been used. Tablets have also been used, initially taken 3 times per day and gradually increased to 24 tablets per day. 16 grams of bruised plant mixed with one pint of water has been used, administered in 2 fluid ounce doses 3 times per day, or an alcoholic liquid extract in a dose of 4 to 8 milliliters before meals.
Patch: Bladderwrack and seaweed patches are sold commercially as weight loss products, although there are no commonly accepted or tested doses.
Children (under 18 years old)
There is not enough scientific evidence to recommend safe use of bladderwrack in children. Because of the iodine content and potential for contamination with heavy metals, it may be inadvisable for use in children.