Algae fucus: where it is inhabited, application, photo

People know about the benefits of sea and river algae for a long time. As early as the 18th century, fucus algae, for example, extracted iodine for medical purposes, and the Irish added them to their food, knowing about the nutrients in them. Depending on where they live and what kind of these aquatic plants, their application differs. Some use them as sources of vitamins, others - to combat excess weight and cellulite.

Species of algae

Marine plants can consist of only one cell, and can form whole colonies. They do not have roots and leaves, like terrestrial ones, and are a photosynthetic layer full of vitamins and nutrients.

Thanks to the algae, which originated from the first unicellular organisms billions of years ago, the planet had an atmosphere. They, absorbing solar energy, and giving carbon dioxide, participated in the formation of the air envelope of the Earth.

To date, there are 11 species of marine plants, which are united by the presence of one characteristic - chlorophyll. In the rest they differ, first of all, in color and size. So among them you can meet brown, green, blue and blue-green representatives. And it is the green algae scientists call the ancestors of forests and fields.

Some of them can grow on the seabed, others freely float on the water surface, carried by wind or currents in different directions, others grow on coastal stones.

Multicellular marine plants have a thallus, which consists of:

• Rizoid, which they cling to the ground or stone;
• A stem having a different size in each of the algal species;
• A plate that can be cut into fibers and have the appearance of a strap or tape.

The size of the thallus can range from a couple of centimeters, up to several meters in length.

Algae habitats and their composition

If you study the places where algae live, then it will be any reservoirs, where the sun rays that are necessary for photosynthesis get to them. It can be very salty water, such as in the Red Sea, the waters of which are stained with Thishodesmium microscopic plants.

It can be a freshwater pond with standing water or a fast current, and often they become land dwellers, for example, walls of houses where there is high humidity and there is access to sunlight.

Even at the bottom of the sea, where the rays of the daylight come in the form of scattered light, there are benthic algae, which require a solid base for fastening.

In addition to independent growth, these marine plants feel great in symbiosis with other organisms, for example, with corals or some species of marine animals.

The value of marine and freshwater algae is that they contain vitamins such as A, B1, C, B2, D and E necessary for the human body. Equally important components are iodine, fucoxanthin and sulpho-amino acids.

Some of them, for example, brown algae hijiki and wakame, the main property of which is the burning of fats, is used in Asian cuisine. Also, they make bioadditives for obese people. Others perfectly affect the epidermis, retaining moisture, or regenerating its cells.

Today not only in folk medicine, but also in official medicine, they are recognized for their medicinal properties, regardless of where the algae live.

Fucus - description and properties

The most famous and massively consumed water "grass" is laminaria, which gourmets know as "sea kale". And algae fucus - the most popular in medicine, homeopathy and cosmetology, thanks to their rich vitamin composition.

They belong to the family of brown algae and are ribbon-shaped branches on which bubbles with air are located in pairs. Usually they form real plantations off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, as well as near the western shores of the Baltic Sea.

Since they grow in shallow water, they are collected either manually or by nets. It is important that the fucus is immediately taken to dry, otherwise it will lose its healing properties.

In the composition of alga fucus:

• Alginic acid (25%) - a viscous polysaccharide that lowers the pressure, is an antioxidant;
• Iodine (0.9%);
• Phosphoric acid lime - a mineral substance that positively affects the strength of the bone system, in the prevention and treatment of cancer;
• Sodium bromide;
• iron;
• Fucoidan (60%) - a unique polysaccharide, which not only cleanses and rejuvenates the body, but also successfully cures cancer;
• Vitamins C, E, B.

Given such a "cocktail" of nutrients, it is not surprising that scientists, following folk healers, began using the properties of this alga (you can see it in the article) for the prevention and treatment of many diseases. Do not fall behind them and the cosmetology companies that have determined this water plant properties to rejuvenate the skin.

Application in medicine

Preparations in which this kind of brown algae is present in eastern and western medicine are made for a long time. The range of applications is quite extensive:

• Diseases of the genitourinary and cardiovascular system;
• Problems in the respiratory system and the nervous;
• Disorders in the gastrointestinal tract and thyroid gland;
• Asthma, allergies and diabetes;
• Diseases of the skin and joints;
• Beriberi and thrombosis.

Fucus (seaweed) in the form of powder, extract or in the composition of pharmacological preparations give good results in the treatment of immunodeficiency, metabolism recovery, with obesity and skin aging.

Pharmacological properties

The substances that make up this marine plant have numerous pharmacological properties that give a positive result:

• With tumorous diseases of mammary glands and genitals;
• With hormonal disorders;
• When slagging the body;
• If necessary to strengthen the walls of the vessels and their elasticity.

Fucoidan, which is part of the fucus alga, has an antimicrobial, immunomodulating, antiviral property, it is a powerful antitumor substance that stops the formation of blood vessels that feed cancer cells. Alginates purify blood from heavy metals and radionuclides, and the walls of blood vessels from cholesterol plaques.

Laminarin prevents the development of thrombosis, supplies the brain and heart with blood, promotes sound sleep. Iodine contained in the fucus, normalizes lipid metabolism and eliminates cellulite.

Preparations with this plant have wound healing, bactericidal, sedative, diuretic and choleretic properties.

Application in folk medicine

The fucus has long been used as a healer of brown algae for violations in the gastrointestinal tract, during recovery from surgery or prolonged illness, to restore immunity and purify the body.

The people are well aware of the ability of this marine plant to positively affect the thyroid gland. It is used for arthritis and iodine deficiency. But it was the most popular among obese people. Adding this alga to the diet eliminated metabolic problems, cleared the intestines, and supplied the patient with the nutritional fibers necessary for recovery.

Application of fucus in cosmetology

Cosmetologists have long known about the amazing property of this alga (photo in the article demonstrates the process of applying a mask) to purify the skin of accumulated toxins. Another indispensable action that the mature skin especially needs is its regeneration, rejuvenating effect and prevention of dryness.

In pharmacies and specialty shops you can buy this seaweed in the form of powder, which at home beauties are added to soaps, creams, and medical and anti-cellulite baths.

Recipes for weight loss

The most effective for solving problems with excess weight is a powder of fucus collected from the shores of Japan or the White Sea. It has a salty taste, brown color and a bright iodine "sea" flavor. For weight loss it takes about 20-30 minutes before eating 1 tsp. With a glass of water.

No less effect will be if you add fucus to salads, soups or cereals, but not more than 3 tsp. per day. Since the alga is brackish, it can also replace salt.

For those who find it difficult to take fucus powder before each meal, a decoction with him will do. At night you need to pour 1 tbsp. L. 200 g of boiling water and insist in a thermos. Half an hour before breakfast, drink all the infusion and all day avoid fatty foods.

As an addition to the anti-cellulite program, it is useful to use hot sea baths, for which it is necessary to dissolve 0.5 kg of sea salt and 200 g of fucus powder in water at a temperature of +40 degrees.

The duration of the procedure is 15 minutes, and a steady anti-cellulite effect will give 15 baths taken every other day. Side effect is a tight and supple skin.

Vitamin Balsam

In some people, dry powder from algae is present in the kitchen on a par with spices, because of their healing properties they say and write a lot. Someone replaces them with salt, and someone takes to prevent disease before eating.

To add fucus to food without loss of useful properties, you can prepare a vitamin balm:

• 50 g of algal powder pour into a can of 0.5 l;
• Half a head of garlic and a small onion grate and add to the fucus;
• Add 1 tsp. Seasonings for Korean carrots and 1 tbsp. Spoon of apple cider vinegar.

Pour the ingredients with water to half the mixture. When it is absorbed, add more. After the seaweed has absorbed all the water and swells, 2 tbsp is added to the balsam. Spoons of vegetable oil and mix well. Add in salads for 2 tsp.

Contraindications of application of fucus

The effect that people receiving fucus receive (reviews confirm this) is so obvious that this simple and inexpensive way of preventing and treating many diseases is becoming more popular. Algae is perfectly absorbed by the human body, but there are contraindications to it:

• Increased level of iodine in the body and allergy to it;
• Pregnancy and lactation;
• Incompatibility with taking medication to treat thyroid.

There may be an allergy to the substances that make up the fucus, so it is advisable to consult a doctor.