Bladderwrack 4:1 Powdered Extract 5 kg (11 lbs): Q

Used as an infusion, decoction, extract, food additive and encapsulated supplement. Bladderwrack is widely used commercially as a thickening agent in foods and pharmaceuticals. Kloss, author of 'Back to Eden, ' describes the medicinal properties of bladderwrack thus: 'The best remedy for obesity. Good for all glandular afflictions, goiter, and scrofula. Has an excellent effect on the kidneys.' Grieve, below, recommends it both internally and externally for rheumatic pain as well. Bladderwrack contains relatively large amounts of iodine, which is necessary for normal thyroid function. Current scientific studies of bladderwrack, of which there are quite a few, indicate that the high fucoidan content of this plant, because of its verified immune and inflammatory balancing effects, appears to be responsible for some of the observed beneficial optimizing of thyroid function. Bladderwrack also contains alginic acid, a dietary fiber which relieves constipation and diarrhea. The antacid Gaviscon®, composed of magnesium carbonate and sodium alginate, the sodium salt of alginic acid, has been shown to be effective relief for heartburn. Test tube and animal studies have shown alginic acid to help heal wounds, lower the unwelcome LDL cholesterol level, and have antiviural and antibacterial action in the body. Similar studies have shown Bladderwrack's other major element, fucoidan, to have similar effects. Grieve's classic 'A Modern Herbal': 'It has alterative properties, has been used in scrofula, and is thought by some authorities to reduce obesity through stimulating the thyroid gland.' 'The charcoal derived from Kelp has been used in the treatment of goitre and scrofulous swellings under the name of Æthiops vegetabilis or vegetable ethiops, introduced by Dr. Russell in 1750, who also used a jelly for similar purposes, both internally and externally. He was also successful in dispersing scrofulous tumours by rubbing in the mucus of the vesicles of Bladderwrack, afterwards washing the parts with sea-water. The charcoal was also helpful in goitre. The iodine from other sources led to the neglect of kelp products.' 'In 1862 Dr. Duchesne-Duparc found while experimenting in cases of chronic psoriasis, that weight was reduced without injuring health, and used the drug with success for the latter purpose. Dr. Godfroy experimented on himself, losing five and a quarter pounds in a week after taking before three meals a day an extract made into pills containing 25 grams (3.75 grains). The bromine and iodine stimulated the absorbent glands to increased activity, without causing an atrophied wasting of the glands. Later experiments of Hunt and Seidell indicated that the result is brought about by stimulation of the thyroid gland.' 'Sea-pod liniment, is the expressed juice and decoction of fresh seaweed as dispensed by sea-side chemists for rheumatism, and the extract, taken continuously in pills or fluid form is reputed to relieve