Used in popular Asian cuisine, Laminaria japonica is a seaweed with beneficial and cosmetic properties that is very useful in the treatment of hypothyroidism.
Kelp, whose scientific name is Laminaria digitata, is a brown seaweed that grows in cold seas such as the North Sea and the northern Atlantic Ocean. Thanks to its high content of minerals such as iodine, it is dried and processed into products that act as supplements for a range of conditions.
As well as serving as an emulsifier and gelling agent in ice creams, jams and fruit juices, kelp has been widely used for millennia in popular Asian cuisine because it is rich in minerals such as the already-mentioned iodine, potassium, magnesium, iron and calcium. For this reason it is also widely used in herbal medicine.
The thyroid is an endocrine gland located at the fifth chakra, known in the Indian tradition as Vishuddha and situated at the base of the neck. The throat chakra is connected to the process of communication and authentic expression. In thyroid dysfunction, therefore, the cause is not to be found solely in the ageing process or in an incorrect diet. Problems communicating with others can also lead to the development of hyperthyroidism, when the thyroid produces too many hormones, and hypothyroidism, when production is instead insufficient.
Thyroid hormones are manufactured from iodine, a naturally occurring element that must be taken in through the diet and is found in fish, shellfish, soya, dairy products, but above all in seaweeds such as kelp, which contains a high level of the mineral that is essential for the gland responsible for the correct functioning of metabolism.
Also useful in cases of fatigue, during periods of convalescence, in states of demineralisation, for those suffering from chronic rheumatism and for excess weight, kelp can help to speed up metabolism by promoting the elimination of fats and the achievement of a healthy weight. Thanks to the ability of the alginates it contains to absorb liquids, it is also ideal for increasing the feeling of fullness or as a laxative.
Not only for health — the skin and hair also benefit from its properties. By preventing skin ageing, kelp is used in the composition of active muds against cellulite which, when applied to the affected areas, stimulate circulation and reduce the troublesome blemishes of the skin.
Moreover, thanks to a study conducted by a team of researchers from the dermatology department of Chung-Ang University in Seoul, it was discovered that Laminaria japonica combined with Cistanche tubulosa is also useful for promoting hair growth in patients with hair loss or for combating dandruff and the resulting inflammations of the scalp.
By speeding up metabolism and the production of thyroid hormones, kelp and all seaweeds with a high iodine content are not recommended for people who suffer from hyperthyroidism. Among the undesirable effects, palpitations, hot flushes, nervousness, insomnia, acne, stomach complaints, dysentery and nausea are commonly reported.