Seaweed and the Spa
By Bláthnaid King, August 7, 2024
Ireland, surrounded by the sea, has always had a close bond with seaweed. For centuries, the Irish have looked to the ocean for sustenance, farming support, and business opportunities. Nowadays, Ireland harvests around 40,000 tonnes of seaweed each year, finding its way into everything from medicines and beauty products to agriculture.
More interestingly, seaweed’s role in health and wellness, steeped in tradition, is enjoying a resurgence.
Across Ireland, spas are reintroducing this natural resource, tapping into its historical uses for modern relaxation and healing.
History of Seaweed
Seaweed might make you think of sushi—Nori, Kombu, and Wakame are all stars in Japanese kitchens. But its use stretches far beyond Asia. In Europe, seaweed has a long history as a remedy, food, and beauty product.
The ancient Greeks and Romans turned to seaweed for healing wounds, burns, and skin irritations. They also fed it to their livestock and used red algae to dye fabrics and treat parasitic infections.
In Ireland, seaweed wasn’t just a plant; it was part of the culture’s spiritual life, offered to gods as a symbol of the bond between land, sea, and the divine. Along the rugged coastlines, seaweed wasn’t only a source of nutrition; it was a lifeline. Its rich potash content made it perfect for growing potatoes in the challenging coastal soil. By mixing seaweed with sand, communities could create fertile ground to grow crops and sustain their families.
This deep connection to seaweed was also carried overseas by Irish emigrants, who used their knowledge to build industries around robust sea plants like Carrageenan Moss in the United States.
Now, Ireland is witnessing a revival of its ancient seaweed traditions. From baths and snacks to skincare products, modern Ireland offers countless ways to explore and enjoy this versatile sea vegetable.
According to Claire O’Sullivan, founder of WASI Seaweed, this revival is credited to a new appreciation of tradition:
“I believe the resurgence of seaweed in skincare and wellness in Ireland over the past few years is rooted in our growing appreciation for traditional practices. Our ancestors relied on natural remedies out of necessity, harnessing the healing power of seaweed to nourish both body and land, even using it to enhance the appearance of their animals for market.”
Benefits of Seaweed
Irish people have known the benefits of seaweed for a long time, and today it’s being proved by science as it grows in popularity.
“Seaweed has been used for over 300 years as a therapy for a variety of skin and rheumatic conditions in Ireland. Seaweed naturally absorbs its nourishment from the sea and over 80% of the seaweed plant is made up of essential minerals, vitamins, and other bioactive compounds.” Shannon Pearson, VOYA Skincare
Seaweeds thrive in the tough conditions of the ocean by producing a range of protective chemicals. These chemicals are loaded with bioactive compounds that can also benefit human health. Ireland’s extensive coastline and the pristine conditions of its cold waters provide the perfect environment for growing seaweeds bursting with these bioactive compounds.
These sea plants are a treasure trove of nutrients, including proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, with recent research highlighting their potential health benefits, such as:
- Skin Health: Elements found in seaweed can boost collagen and elastin production, essential for firm skin. It also offers protection against environmental stresses like UV rays and pollution, thanks to its antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. This makes seaweed a valuable ingredient in skin care products for moisturising, anti-ageing, and even acne treatment.
- Bone Health: Seaweed is rich in calcium, crucial for preventing bone diseases like osteoporosis, and is even more calcium-dense than milk.
- Heart and Metabolic Health: High in dietary fibre, seaweed can help prevent heart disease by promoting a healthy cardiovascular system.
- Weight Management: The dietary fibres in seaweed can also help with weight loss by making you feel fuller for longer, with several studies confirming its effectiveness.
- Fighting Infections: Overuse of antibiotics has led to drug-resistant bacteria. Seaweed, with its novel bioactive compounds, shows promise in combating these resistant strains due to its antimicrobial properties.
- Treating Worm Infections: Certain seaweeds contain substances that can block the muscles of parasitic worms, helping to expel them from the body.
The Resurgence of Seaweed Treatments in Irish Spas
Seaweed has made a remarkable entry into the spa and wellness scene in Ireland, with a third of Irish spas now offering different seaweed treatments and products.
These treatments range from facials and scrubs to baths, wraps, and even dietary options –– offering the chance for everyone to benefit from seaweed’s health properties. However, the real star of seaweed treatments is the seaweed bath.
Known for its hydrating, anti-inflammatory and anti-ageing benefits, seaweed baths use sustainably sourced Irish seaweed for a relaxing and rejuvenating wellness experience. Spas.ie have a complete list of spas that offer seaweed baths across the country here.
Across the country, spas are drawing from Ireland’s rich natural heritage to offer a variety of seaweed-based therapies. These treatments honour the past and cater to contemporary needs for relaxation and health –– proving that sometimes, the best wellness solutions come straight from nature.
As we’ve seen, no matter where you are in Ireland, there’s a place nearby to experience the timeless benefits of seaweed.
