Synopsis

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

Seaweed has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, particularly in East Asia (such as Traditional Chinese Medicine and Japanese Kampo), for supporting immune health and preventing common colds. Historically, seaweed has been consumed as part of a regular diet or prepared in broths and teas believed to "clear heat" and support respiratory health. Some traditions attribute these effects to the high mineral content and the presence of compounds like polysaccharides and iodine.

However, scientific evidence specifically supporting the use of seaweed to prevent or treat colds is limited. A few laboratory studies have suggested that certain polysaccharides found in seaweed, such as fucoidan and laminarin, may have immune-modulating or antiviral properties. Despite these preliminary findings, there is currently a lack of robust clinical trials in humans confirming that seaweed consumption directly prevents or treats the common cold. Most support for this use is therefore rooted in traditional practices rather than strong scientific validation.

Overall, while regular consumption of seaweed may offer general health benefits due to its nutritional profile, the specific use of unspecified seaweed for cold prevention is primarily traditional and supported by limited scientific rationale.

More about Seaweed (unspecified)
More about Colds (prevention)

Other ingredients used for Colds (prevention)

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Products containing Seaweed (unspecified)