Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Chondrus, commonly known as Irish moss (Chondrus crispus), has a long history of use in traditional medicine, particularly in Europe and the Caribbean, for treating respiratory ailments such as colds and coughs. Folk remedies often involve boiling Irish moss to create a mucilaginous drink, which is believed to soothe sore throats and ease congestion. The traditional rationale centers on its demulcent properties, attributed to its high content of carrageenan—a gelatinous polysaccharide that coats mucous membranes.

However, while there is some in vitro evidence that carrageenan (extracted from Chondrus and related seaweeds) possesses antiviral activity against certain respiratory viruses, such as rhinoviruses and influenza, most of these studies use isolated carrageenan, not whole Chondrus preparations, and are conducted in laboratory settings rather than in humans. Clinical data supporting the use of Chondrus or carrageenan for colds in humans are limited and inconclusive; a few nasal spray trials using carrageenan have shown modest benefit, but these do not directly translate to the use of Chondrus as a food or herbal remedy.

Therefore, while the use of Chondrus for colds is well established in traditional medicine and supported by its soothing properties, robust scientific evidence for its antiviral effects in treating or preventing colds is lacking.

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