Superpowers of Seaweed

We love Seaweed. Packed with vitamins and minerals it is a health and beauty powerhouse and has been used for centuries in therapeutic, detoxifying, skin softening, toning and anti-ageing treatments.

The shore at LS Apothecary HQ is home to 5 different varieties of wild natural seaweed from the brown algae fucus family. Overall fucus seaweeds contain a staggering amount of vitamins and minerals.......calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, sulphur, silicon, iron, phosphorus, selenium, manganese, zinc, vitamins A, B, C, E, G, K and S, however each variety has it's own unique superpower.

So lets look at each variety and their benefits:

Saccharina latissima (Sugar Kelp)

Sugar kelp is a forest forming kelp and only forms forests in very sheltered places such as sea lochs: the loch at LS Apothecary HQ is a sea loch. Sugar Kelp is a natural source of 12 vitamins including B12, C, E, K and beta carotene, 18 amino acids, and as many as 42 trace elements and is renowned for its ability to help moisturise the skin.

Ascophyllum Nodosum (Egg Wrack)

Ascophyllum Nodosum is very effective at accumulating nutrients and minerals from the surrounding seawater, making this seaweed a valuable resource, popular in cosmetology and thalassotherapy. Ascophyllum Nodosum contains a very high concentration of vitamins, in particular vitamin C, Beta-Carotene, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, E, H, K3.

Ascophyllum Nodosum (Egg Wrack)

Fucus Serratus (Serrated Wrack)

Serrated wrack survives by filtering the ocean for nutrients and as a result amasses a huge amount of minerals and vitamins including magnesium, protein, fucoidan, retinol and vitamin A. This seaweed is loaded with oil that is rich in the absorbed marine minerals and vitamins. This seaweed has been used for hundreds of years in seaweed baths for its positive effect on the skin, hair and body.

Fucus Serratus (Serrated Wrack)

Fucus Spiralis (Spiral Wrack)

Spiral wrack contains a high amount of phenol acid which is a powerful anti-oxidant, anti-microbial and anti-spasmodic. Historically it has been used for treatment of arthritis, gout, goitre, and corns, and also in weight-reducing, revitalising, re-mineralising bath treatments. The pouches at the each of this seaweed are filled with moisturising serum which is released when squeezed or added to a hot bath. It was a bath with this seaweed that started our passion for seaweed bathing that led to the formation of LS Apothecary. A bath with freshly cut Fucus Spiralis in one of the most luxurious spa treatment you can ever experience.

Fucus Spiralis (Spiral Wrack)

Fucus Vesiculosus (Bladder Wrack)

When used in hot water baths Bladder Wrack releases alginic acid and iodine and minerals. This seaweed is widely used to improve skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, athletes foot, lower high blood pressure and ease arthritis and rheumatic pains. Iodine is attributed to weight management and as this seaweed is packed with Iodine, it is used in weight loss and cellulite treatments.

Fucus Spiralis (Spiral Wrack)

Pelvetia Canaliculata (Channelled Wrack)

This seaweed survives at the very top of the shore, clinging to rocks and exposed to the suns rays more than any other of the brown seaweeds and therefore has properties to protect it. As a result it has astounding anti-oxidant properties that helps prevent ageing, protects against deterioration and helps treat pigmentation spots. As a result this seaweed can be found in many facial skin treatments.