Bladder wrack is a form of kelp or sea plant mostly found in the North Sea and western Baltic Sea. It has been used for many centuries and known for its high iodine content that stimulates thyroid function which boosts the body’s metabolism. Bladder wrack or scientifically known as Fucus vesiculosus also provides relief from rheumatism. It can also be used for the treatment of inflamed joints.
There is a substance found in bladder wrack called Fucus. The therapeutic use of Fucus is to aid in lipid balance that is associated with obesity. Obesity is one of the common conditions when it comes to thyroid dysfunction. Bladder wrack helps to reduce excess weight to lessen complications in thyroid dysfunction.
Bladder wrack is rich in iodine, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, sulfur, iron, vitamins A, C and E, high in Vitamin B-complex, vitamin K, phosphorus, selenium, manganese, bromine, and carotene. It also prevents sterility and it is rich in Algin. Algin is responsible in regulating bowel movement.
Bladder wrack is tested to be safe when it is applied on the skin. However, bladder wrack is proven unsafe when taken by mouth as this may contain toxic metals like arsenic. Arsenic is usually found in the water where it inhabits for a long time and also it may contain high forms of iodine, which may worsen existing thyroid problems. It is not also recommended for prolonged intake of iodine as this is associated with increased risk of thyroid cancer or goiter. It is still best to seek for your doctor’s advice.
There are also safety precautions in taking bladder wrack even if it’s a therapeutic herb. Bladder wrack is not safe if: You are pregnant or breast-feeding as this is not safe because of the presence of some toxic metals. Do not take bladder wrack is you have thyroid diseases like hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.
If you are allergic to iodine it is not safe to take since bladder wrack has high iodine content. It is also unsafe to take bladder wrack if you are about to have surgery in the next 14 days because it might increase the risk of bleeding during surgery.
Bladder wrack treats arthritis, heart burn, constipation, obesity, high cholesterol, cough, mild respiratory irritation, and also cancer. Fucoidan is the fiber derived from Fucus that also helps lower glucose levels. Research has discovered that Fucoidan has anti-angiogenic and anti-tumor properties that are responsible for cell growth and multiplication. Fucoidan found on Bladder wrack may help slow down the growth of cancer tumors.
Research may have discovered that Bladder wrack helps in obesity by controlling lipid balance and slowing down the growth of cancer tumors because of its anti-angiogenic properties and anti-tumor properties. It may also aids in reducing inflamed glands such as conditions like gynecomastia or “man boobs.”
“Man boobs” or medically termed as gynecomastia is caused by hormonal imbalance wherein there is an increase in estrogen levels and decrease in testosterone levels. The increase in estrogen results to increased swelling on the breast area. There has been no scientific evidence that bladder wrack decreases swelling of the glands in the breast area or it regulates hormones inside the body to treat gynecomastia.
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