Medicinal Monday...Making Waves with Algae

Many northeastern tribes migrated to the Atlantic Coastal areas seasonally to gather food. On the coast, there were many great feasts consisting of seafood that provided a welcome change from a woodland diet of meat. One of the more common species of algae, bladderwrack that can still be found along the Connecticut shoreline is harvested and used by Native Americans in several interesting ways.

About Bladderwrack 

Fucus vesiculosus or bladderwrack is a seaweed found on the coasts of the North Sea, and the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The fronds of this multi-branched seaweed are supported by a prominent midrib and have almost spherical air bladders that are paired on either side of the midrib. Bladderwrack is named for its conspicuous vesicles. This species is generally found on sheltered shores in areas that are above water at low tide and underwater at high tide, close to the shoreline. It reproduces by releasing eggs into the seawater under calm conditions and are fertilized shortly after they are released.

Medicinal and Culinary Uses

This plant was used for food and medicine since ancient times. The branches of this rubber-like plant are easily dried, rolled and stored as a salty mineral-rich snack taken on long hikes. Medicinally it was used to soften skin, and taken internally, it treats iodine deficiency and stimulates the thyroid. It is also taken to soothe sore throats. A liniment was made from the leaves of this plant to treat rheumatism.

Did You Know

Fucus vesiculosus is also called black tang, rockweed, bladder fungus, sea oak, cut weed, dyers fucus, and rock wrack.

It was the original source iodine discovered in 1811.

It acts as a defense against the marine herbivorous snail.