Witnessed by: Western
Irish moss (Chondrus crispus), of the Gigartinaceae family. Fan-shaped forking red-purple seaweed clinging to intertidal rocks; native range: rocky Atlantic shores of Europe and North America. Globally recognized as carrageen, carragheen moss, pearl moss in English. The part used is whole dried thallus. Salty and marine, all but tasteless, swelling to a thick mucilage when boiled.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
IRISH MOSS
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- Irish moss
- Scientific name
- Chondrus crispus Stackh.
- Family
- Gigartinaceae
Form
- Part used
- whole dried thallus
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- Western
- mucilaginous · salty
Temperature
- Western
- cool
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- Western
- lungs · mucous membranes · digestion
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- Western
- demulcent, emollient, nutritive, expectorant
Cautions
- Contraindications
- caution where a low-sodium diet is required
- Toxicity
- the whole seaweed is well tolerated; not to be confused with degraded carrageenan additives
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