Atlantic Kelp
Ascophylum nodosum
1:4 Ethanol/Distilled H2O Spagyric Tincture of dried organic Kelp, harvested in Canada, with plant salts added.
Planetary Ruler: Saturn
Physical effects*:
This plant is notorious for its very high levels of vitamins, minerals, and trace elements, in particular iodine, which is critical for thyroid function. As the soils of the world age, mineral deficiencies created by standard diets have become prolific amongst the population, kelp can thus be an important food for remineralising the body, which is important in the creation of strong structure in the body (bones, tendons, ligaments etc). Simultaneously Kelp can help cleanse the body of unwanted mineral accumulations such as Flouride and Calcium accumulations that occour through tap water and processed food consumption. PLEASE NOTE, that if you have Hyperthyroidism, taking Kelp, with it’s high levels of iodine is unadvisable as it will exacerbate the condition… if you are suffering from hypothyroidism or need to upregulate thyroid function to increase metabolism, aid weightloss, and alleviate fatigue, weakness, dry hair and skin, thinning eyebrows and hair loss, goitre, muscle cramps, irritability, low libido, depression, memory loss, brain fog, abnormal menstrual cycles, jaundice, cold intolerance, gall stones, and constipation, then kelp can help! Noting that having any of these symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean you have hyperthyroidism – please go and be tested to confirm. This sea plant contains an abundance of antioxidants, including carotenoids, and flavonoids, which help to scavenge free radicals, reducing oxidative stress, protecting the cardiovascular system and preventing cancer – seaweeds have been shown to decrease the incidence and spread of colon, lung, breast and prostate cancers. Kelp aids weight loss through increasing thyroid function but it also contains alginate which may stop the gut from absorbing fat, and another compound known as fucoxanthin may promote weight loss in people with obesity – when combined with pomegranate oil. The seaweed may also help manage glycaemic and blood glucose levels. Kelp can also soothe irritated coughs, mucous membranes and swollen testes, as well as reduce edema (unwanted fluid retention).
*Before purchase please see full disclaimer at bottom of page - statements and products not approved by TGA.
Emotional/Spiritual Effects*:
Just as the kelp beds are washed gently back and forth in those intertidal places, sometimes it is necessary for us to allow ourselves to be suspended by the flow of life, anchored to the ocean floor below, but able to be held by the water itself. All elements can heal and grow, though water does so often through providing softening, embracing and a kind of gentle cocoon; thus, Kelp can encourage us to take a break that isn’t necessarily a holiday or sabbatical, but rather returning to being at one with the flow rather than trying to push ahead of, or against it. Kelp is highly mucilaginous, being able to make the body soft and supple where it needs, though it also contains many minerals which strengthen the rigid structures of the body. On a psychological level kelp encourages us to relax and soften hard viewpoints that are draining true vitality from our life, whilst it also serves to anchor us in to witnessing all areas of our life where we are being too idealistic, dreamy, whimsical or ‘wishy washy.’ Kelp can be an important ally for those who are over-analytical as it will elevate the influence of calm knowing and intuition. It will also aid those who are overly firey, or driven by impulses, passions and sexual desires to harmonise those pulses and urges with a gracious, yet unwavering knowing that there will be a time a place for their healthy and wholesome expression. For those with excess earth, the wateriness of kelp can help wash away mental blockages, sludges of the mind and psyche, and bring newfound malleability to ones outlook on life.
Cautions/Contraindications:
-Hyperthyroidism: If your thyroid is overactive and/or you’re prone to experiencing muscle wastage, anorexia, irregular heartbeat, nervousness, anxiety, sensitivity to heat, frequent bowl movements, insatiable appetite, pounding heartbeats, trembling, fine hair, brittle nails and difficulty sleeping then it may be wise to avoid Kelp (try remineralising through dandelion, comfrey, pine, marshmallow and/or nettle).
-Excessive iodine consumption can also cause the following symptoms: Acne, Diarrhea, Eosniphilia (white blood cell overproduction), excessive fluid in lungs, fever, headache, hives, joint pain and skin swelling. If you experience any of these symptoms after taking Kelp, please cease use.
-Iodone may have mild interacrtions with the following medications: triamterene, spironolcatone, potassium citrate, propylthiouracil, potassium acid phosphate, lithium, methimazole, iodoquinole, RADIOACTIVE IODINE TREATMENT, drospirenone, and amiloride.
