Description:
Agar-agar is extracted from marine red algae. The seaweeds (Sphaerococcus Euchema and Gelidium) that grows to 15 to 25 cm high are mostly found off the Pacific coast and the coast of South Africa. Fronds are elongated, cylindrical, soft or subcartilaginous and dichotomously branched.
The seaweeds are laid out along the shore to get bleached and dried. By boiling them in water the mucilage can be strained and filtrated. After which it is dried again under the sun.
You'll find the Agar Agar most often in the form of white powder or as a clear bar. It has almost no color, no taste, calorie-free and has 80% percent fiber.
One can also blanch the entire plant and eat as salad.
Parts Used: Seaweed extract and the whole plant.
Medicinal properties and Uses:
Agar agar contains gelose, protein, galactose, pentose, fructose; iodine, iron and other
trace elements and minerals
This seaweed rich in soluble fiber that is very good for dieters. Agar agar absorbs water making you feel full. So, munching on agar agar before each meal prevents you from overeating.
Constipation - as agar agar is rich in soluble fiber it is used as a bulk laxative because it
absorbs water in the intestines resulting in increased bowel activity.
Diabetes - Agar Agar will capture the sugars, fats and toxins.
Sores and Swollen knee joints - An agar agar poultice is used for swollen knee joints and sores.
It is also use for menorrhagia, leucorrhea and other intestinal and bladder difficulties.
An agar agar decoction given for dysentery and diarrhea as a folk medicine. It is also found
to be useful for coughs and other pulmonary complaints.
High doses may cause flatulence.
Agar agar readily forms a gel and is used as a stabilizer, thickening, gelling, bulking agent and food additive.
THOUGH THE CONTENT OF THIS BLOG HAD BEEN TRIED/TESTED AND HAD BEEN USED
AS FOLK/HERBAL MEDICINE IT IS STILL BEST TO CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE
TRYING THIS AND AVOID SELF-DIAGNOSIS AND SELF-MEDICATION.