by Nadia Sinclair

Longing for the sunny days at the beach following autumn’s arrival? Why not bring the sea’s healing power into your own bathroom with seaweed baths, known for their numerous benefits, including aiding post-exercise muscle recovery…

For many, seaweed might be merely an elusive sea plant to sidestep at the beach, but this marine mess actually teems with health benefits. Suited for everything from stress reduction to treating skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema, it has varied uses.

Impressive research reveals potential in brown seaweed, from preventing and managing type 2 diabetes to combating cancer. Athletes, including world-renowned freedivers, use seaweed baths for muscle relaxation and recovery.

The Power of Seaweed for Post-Exercise Muscle Recovery

In Ireland, seaweed boasts therapeutic use for over 300 years, and for good reasons. Constituting over 80% essential nutrients, vitamins, and bioactive compounds, seaweed is an exceptionally nourishing sea vegetable. Today, it finds widespread use in over 145 forms worldwide, as part of meals, supplements, or therapeutic baths.

For instance, Fucus serratus tanks up on minerals and vitamins by filtering the ocean. Laminaria digitata touts anti-inflammatory properties, while Fucus vesiculosus discharges polysaccharides like alginic acid and iodine. Himanthalia elongata stands out for high levels of essential amino acids and vitamins, according to Irish wellness experts.

How Seaweed Baths Work:

Seaweed bath benefits are derived from its astounding antioxidant content. Brown seaweed, for instance, gets its hue from fucoxanthin, an antioxidant instrumental in improving blood sugar control and reducing type 2 diabetes risk. Its long-chained polysaccharides have shown potential in inhibiting cancer tumors.

From a fitness perspective, seaweed’s iodine content takes the cake. Essential for your thyroid gland, this trace mineral plays a crucial role in regulating metabolism, energy levels, and maintaining bone and muscle health.

Daily recommended iodine intake is between 140-150 micrograms (mcg). If your diet is low in seafood or dairy, you’re likely to have less iodine, but seaweed baths can significantly boost your iodine absorption.

Experiencing the Benefits of a Seaweed Bath

WF Writer Mary Comber shared her first-hand experience with a seaweed bath at The Old Dairy Retreat, Oxfordshire.

‘Submerging into a warm bath filled with organic, fucus serratus seaweed, I was taken aback by just how soft and natural the water felt, enriched by the seaweed’s minerals. As I spent the next 20 minutes soaking in the restorative sensations offered by the sea, my skin felt incredibly moisturized and my circulation ramped up. The sleep that followed was deep, and the next day I woke up refreshed, with brighter eyes and reduced dark circles.’

If your area lacks a seaweed treatment center, why not create your own seaweed spa at home? Try the Detoxifying Seaweed Bath from Voya Lazy Days, filled with 100 percent hand-harvested organic fucus serratus.

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