Perhaps it is because it is plentiful? Mirriam Webster defines a weed as a plant that is not valued where it is growing and is usually of vigorous growth. Ralph Waldo Emerson described a weed as a plant whose virtue has not yet been discovered. We'll go with Emerson's definition.
With more than 30,000 species of marine algae ranging in size from microscopic plankton to the giant kelp beds in the Pacific that grow to a size of 60 meters, it's not surprising that many of us think of seaweed as a nuisance; something to be eradicated like green vermin.
Seaweed and marine algae have more concentrated nutrition than vegetables grown on land and they have long been considered to possess powers to prolong life, prevent disease, and impart beauty and health.Once we are aware of the many fabulous properties of these marine plants, we might want to refer to them as...the Miracle Vegetables & Herbs of the sea.
Extracted from marine plankton have been shown to repair DNA following damage due to excess sun (ultra-violet) exposure. The stress caused by overexposure to the sun results in your skin’s DNA molecules to get out of alignment. The topical application of a cream with plankton enzymes plays the role of a molecular chiropractor by re-aligning DNA molecules within 2-4 hours.
L-Fucose (a form of fucoidan) is a polysaccharide that helps to strengthen the connective tissue matrix of support of your skin. Topical application of seaweed extracts containing this power-polysaccharide was shown to help thicken the skin’s dermis with the result that the appearance of wrinkles was diminished due to the uplifting effect.
Seawater is known to have all of the elements of life and has been compared to blood plasma, lymph and the fluids that make up 70% of the human body. Marine plants that obtain their nutrients from seawater, are concentrated storehouses of all of the elements found in the sea. As the base of the food chain, marine plants deliver all of the sea’s nutrients to our skin to support and accelerate cellular regeneration. In fact, a bath in seaweed will deliver vital elements such as magnesium, potassium, iodine, copper and zinc essential in the synthesis of collagen and other skin fibers.
Marine Polysaccharides from seaweed are natural moisturizers that help leave skin smooth and firm to the touch. These saccharides reduce inflammation and lock in moisture.
Extracted from Irish Moss, these peptides are harvested north of the Arctic Circle off the coast of Greenland. Due to the harsh climate of the frozen seas, these seaweeds adapted by creating special peptides from arginine and taurine. Applied to the skin, they act as messengers to stimulate collagen synthesis.
Environmental aging factors such as stress, pollution and poor diet create an inflammatory response responsible for advanced aging. Marine algae contain the most powerful anti-inflammatory agents in the form of astaxanthin and omega fatty acids (3,6 & 7) that reduce skin redness and calm skin irritations. These are essential in the treatment of rosacea, eczema and dermatitis.
Seaweed is also the richest source of antioxidants. When applied to the skin, they offer us an Eco-Protective Shield against environmental aging factors. Marine algae contain the full range of carotenoids from beta-carotene, lycopene and lutein to astaxanthin, zeaxanthin and polyphenols.
The giant kelp found in the North Atlantic holds the secret to slimming due to the strong presence of iodine and fucoxanthin. Both of these agents taken orally help to regulate sluggish metabolism to burn unwanted fat. When bathing in seaweed, the concentration of these slimming elements penetrates the skin to reduce the appearance of cellulite and to add definition to the joints of your legs.
Calcium and magnesium found in seaweed are useful in helping the body rid itself of toxins. Seaweed body wraps are known to stimulate the return circulation (lymph system) to rid the body of metabolites responsible for water retention, cellulite, and a host of degenerative age-related conditions.
Did you know that iodine not only helps to normalize metabolism, it also is essential to the female reproductive organs to balance estrogen? As estrogen imbalances are suspected to be a major factor in breast and reproductive cancers, treatments rich in pure iodine-rich seaweed complemented with dietary supplementation of seaweed may help prevent the onset of these destructive diseases. For more information, see the research conducted by the Iodine Project let by former UCLA professor Abraham.
Marine algae have many other properties you may wish to learn more about. They play a role in nutrition, agriculture, pharmaceuticals and medicine. We can truly no longer ignore this family of plants and the gifts they give us.
All seaweed used in Spa Technologies products is food grade meaning that the European Union and Canada test the waters where the seaweed is harvested. These harvesting areas are strategically located far from eco-systems to avoid disruption and far from rivers & estuaries that may be vehicles for pollutants.
Some algae used in Spa Technologies products are farmed, such as micro algae chlorella and Spirulina. Extracts of omega 7 and omega 3 fatty acids are obtained from Nannochloropsis algae and astaxanthin, from Haematoccus algae. Chlorella and Spirulinafor, are farmed under specially controlled conditions.
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