Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Red seaweed, particularly species like Chondrus crispus (Irish moss) and Gracilaria, has a history of traditional use in various cultures for soothing skin conditions, including rashes and hives. Folk medicine practices in Ireland, the Caribbean, and parts of Asia have utilized red seaweed preparations, often as topical gels or poultices, for their supposed skin-calming and anti-inflammatory properties. The mucilaginous texture of red seaweed extracts is believed to provide a soothing barrier on the skin, which may help with irritation or itching.

However, scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of red seaweed for rashes or hives specifically is limited. Some laboratory studies have identified bioactive compounds in red seaweeds—such as sulfated polysaccharides (e.g., carrageenan)—that exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Despite these findings, there is a lack of robust clinical trials or dermatological research directly validating the use of red seaweed for treating rashes or hives in humans. Most of the support for its use comes from ethnobotanical reports and anecdotal accounts, rather than rigorous scientific validation.

In summary, red seaweed's use for rashes and hives is primarily rooted in traditional medicine, with minimal scientific evidence to confirm its efficacy for these specific conditions.

More about Red seaweed (unspecified)
More about Rashes and Hives

Other ingredients used for Rashes and Hives

Other health conditions supported by Red seaweed (unspecified)

Products containing Red seaweed (unspecified)