Bulk Herb Store

Herbs: Kelp Powder, organic

Common Name: Kelp
Latin Name: Ascophyllum nodosum
Origin: Canada

Why our Kelp Powder is best

Our Kelp Powder is harvested from the clear, cold waters off the Canadian coast. That is why ours has some of the highest iodine and trace mineral content of any on the market. Fine ground and easy to use, Bulk Herb Store is the best resource on the web for wholesome, healthful Kelp.

Why Kelp Powder

Your body, as amazing as it is, produces no iodine, and cannot store large quantities of iodine. It must be introduced through the foods we eat. Our bodies require it for several reasons. Some of the hormones our thyroid glands produce are around 60% iodine and a lack of it can lead to goiter, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. It can also increase the chance of mental retardation, and even stunted infant brain development. Iodine is a water-soluble trace element that’s rare in the earth’s crust, but fairly prevalent in its seas. Unfortunately, due to over planting and chemical fertilizers, the soil in most of US has virtually no iodine content. We have to do one of two things, in order to compensate for this.

The first thing you can do is add iodine to the soil by mixing sea greens like kelp or seaweed with your natural fertilizer for your vegetable garden. This will put iodine back in the soil, and therefore in your vegetables.

The next, and certainly easer option, is to add iodine to your diet. That is why, in 1924, iodine was added to salt, bread, and milk. Today iodine is no longer added to bread or to milk, and the amount of iodine added to salt has steadily declined over the years. Furthermore, the highly-processed table salt has a myriad of other health problems to answer for and is not a good alternative.
What is a good alternative? Kelp Powder! Kelp is a tall, leafy plant that grows in cool water, floating vertically over the rocky ocean floor. Although tethered there by a root like stem called a hold fast, it does not draw nutrients from the ground but rather from the water around it. This ensures that every leaf is packed with an ocean of goodness.

Iodine Dosage

Individual iodine dosage is not something we can call. After all Paracelsus’s (the father of toxicology) said, "All substances are poisons; there is none which is not a poison. The right dose differentiates a poison and a remedy." While the recommended daily allowance by the FDA of 150 micrograms is sufficient to prevent goiters; it probably isn’t optimal, and humans can definitely handle more. Thyroid issues however are incredibly complex, and too much iodine can actually exacerbate existing thyroid disorders just as too little can create them, so talk to your doctor or endocrinologist if you have thyroid problems before supplementing.

Excerpts from Nutritional Herbology

Kelp is employed by herbalists as a mineral supplement. It is especially prized for its iodine content.

Kelp is most famous for its use in foods. In the Orient, it is used to flavor soups and sushi.

The medicinal virtues of kelp are primarily related to its content of viscous fiber called algin. Algin absorbs most nutrients as well as toxins from the digestive tract in much the same way that a water softener removes the "hardness" from tap water. This results in less toxins entering the circulatory system.

Kelp Powder contains mucilaginous compounds that enhance the detoxifying and eliminative functions of the digestive system. These compounds absorb toxins from the bowel and provide bulk to the stool. Kelp is an excellent herbal source of calcium, magnesium, sodium and iodine. Iodine is essential to normal thyroid function. It is used to increase the metabolic rate and strengthen connective tissues including the hair, skin and nails.

Excerpts from The How to Herb Book

Kelp has a salty taste and is used by many people in place of salt. It has a high content of natural plant iodine, which is absorbed much more slowly and therefore more safely, than chemical iodine. Iodine is necessary for proper function of the thyroid, which is essential for proper growth, energy, and metabolism.

• Abounds in calcium, chlorine, potassium, magnesium, and other mineral including trace minerals.
• Good for nails and hair loss.
• Regulates the thyroid and pituitary glands (activates all glands of body).
• Aids function of digestive and endocrine systems.
• Acts as an antibiotic; assists the thyroid in releasing iodine into the blood stream when infection is present. Iodine fights infection.

From Our Reading and/or Experience...

• We use it often in capsules and tincture combinations. Of course, it can be used in many other types of remedies. Except as a tea, as powders are not normally used in teas.
• Kelp is a food, so keep it in the kitchen as all other food ingredients. We add it to dishes (soups, etc.) in small amounts so as to add nutritional value to the dish.
• Some use it as salt or with salt, as it has a salty flavor.
• Kelp has a distinct odor and flavor. Some folks love it. Others don't, but simply use it because of how effective it is for a number of conditions, such as: thyroid disorders, obesity, tumors, atherosclerosis, and rheumatism.
• It can be used to benefit anyone: men, women (including before, during or after pregnancy, and nursing), children and animals.
• It can be used as often as you would like, and in any way you choose.
• As is the case with most powders, Kelp should be stored in a dark, dry, and cool place. Refrigeration or freezing is great, but certainly not necessary. Following these suggestions will delay the loss of its highly valued nutritional and medicinal properties.

Customer Reviews

Please, take a moment and comment on this product.

Re: About how much iodine is in your powder?
by Bulk Herb Store on Jun 17, 2013

It has a salty and fishy taste so it is hard to mask the flavor altogether but I'm sure it would help with all the other supplements you are adding. You could also put it in capsules and take it that way. Our kelp has a substantial amount of Iodine in it and you shouldn't need to take an additional supplement.

Re: Add to smoothies?
by Bulk Herb Store on Jun 13, 2013

Yes you can add some to your smoothies, and it is affective!

Re: Kelp to fight Psoriasis
by Bulk Herb Store on Jun 12, 2013

Dosage needs vary between individuals so we can't call dosage amounts for an individual. Natural crystal unrefined sea salt like our Celtic Sea Salt®
does not contain measurable amounts of iodine.

Re: Cooking/Contamination
by Bulk Herb Store on May 14, 2013

It is very possible the heat of cooking will affect the qualities of Kelp. If I was to use it in cooking I would just add it to the food after it has been cooked. Our Kelp is harvested from the East Coast of Canada.

Re: Hypothyroid
by Bulk Herb Store on May 10, 2013

Individual dosages is not something we can call, especially when it comes to thyroid issues as it can vary so much between each individual. All the info. we are able to give you can find on our Kelp page "Iodine dosage". Other than that, I would recommend asking a natural medicine practitioner or Dr. It is safe to use during pregnancy.

Re: 2 Week Regimen
by Bulk Herb Store on May 1, 2013

Dosage needs can vary between individuals, and is not something we can call. Read Iodine Dosages on our Kelp page for FDA recommended dosages etc. and or talk to your Dr. before supplementing. The reason we suggest not taking it all the time is because you don't want to get too much Iodine.

Re: counter indicates for Kelp use
by Bulk Herb Store on May 1, 2013

I hadn't heard of any such reports before. I did read in an article that Kelp can hinder your body's ability to form blood clots.

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/469125-what-is-the-dosage-of-kelp-for-an-average-person/#ixzz2S4Y5b0Vc

Re: kelp
by Bulk Herb Store on May 1, 2013

Basically, you just don't want to get too much Iodine or it can cause problems too, which is why we don't recommend taking it all the time, and it probably depends on how much you use each day in your food whether or not you can use it every day. Read Iodine Dosages on our Kelp page for an idea on how much you can take.

Re: Kelp
by Bulk Herb Store on Apr 18, 2013

The origin of our current batch is from Canada.

Re: hyperthyroidism
by Bulk Herb Store on Apr 15, 2013

No, you do not want to take kelp with hyperthyroidism as your thyroid would already be overactive and the kelp would be for under-active or hypothyroidism. Google "herbs for hyperthyroidism" for herbs that might be helpful!

Re: Filling capsule shells with kelp powder
by Bulk Herb Store on Apr 2, 2013

In the comment mentioned before I'm assuming they had the size "00" as they had the "large" cap. machine. I would start in with a small dose like 1/2 tsp. a day and add more if I needed to, you don't want to overdose on it. We also recommend doing 2wks. on-2wks. off as you may get too much Iodine if taken all the time, or seek medical advise before taking it.

Re: Kelp
by Bulk Herb Store on Mar 29, 2013

Hi! I do not know whether kelp interferes with iron absorption or not, I was not able to find any suggestions to that affect. Yes, it should be discontinued periodically, i.e. 2 wks. on-2 wks. off.

Re: organic kelp
by Bulk Herb Store on Mar 28, 2013

Yes, we usually take it for two weeks, then take a two week break and then on again for two weeks, then off for two weeks and so on.

Re: Kelp
by Bulk Herb Store on Jan 23, 2013

Hello! There isn't a label for the nutrition content available since the amount of iodine per batch or per serving will not be the same each time. It also depends on the conditions it was grown in whether or not it has more or less iodine. Thank you for your question!

Re: kelp in a mineral tincture?
by Bulk Herb Store on Jan 23, 2013

I would not suggest doing kelp in a tincture because I do not think it would mix well being its a powder and you could not strain it out.

Re: safe?
by Bulk Herb Store on Nov 21, 2012

Kelp can be used to benefit anyone: men, women (including before, during or after pregnancy, and nursing), children and animals. The liver cleanse tincture should not be used by pregnant/nursing women because when you detox all the toxins are released and it could cause harm to the baby if they were to drink milk full of toxins or if they were being passed to the baby in the womb. It is best to wait to detox after pregnancy/nursing is over. Thanks for the great questions!

Re: Kelp capsules
by Bulk Herb Store on Nov 21, 2012

Hello! One to Six capsules a day is best. If you have thyroid trouble you may need six if not you may need less. Find out about your thyroid and see what is best for you. I would recommend taking half in the morning and half at noon or if its a small amount all in the morning is fine!

Re: How to use kelp powder
by Bulk Herb Store on Oct 5, 2006

Please see "From our Reading and/or Experience" for ideas on how we use it.

Re: kelp
by Bulk Herb Store on Aug 23, 2006

Kelp can be taken any way you choose: in capsules, stirred into a drink, in/on food (don't cook it), etc. Yes, the entire family can benefit from it. We don't use multivitamins. The herbs supply more than enough organic nutrition, and compliment our "Nourishing Traditions" way of eating quite well. We have already included above what The How to Herb Book has to say on Kelp.

Re: kelp
by Amy Whitlock on Sep 22, 2006

Where would I find the kelp in pill form?
Would this be good enouph for hypothyroidism, or should I take it along with something else. I've been on Synthroid for 5 1/2 yrs. now. I haven't taken anything for about 2 months and am feeling the effects of a low thyroid. I do want something natural. Any suggestions?

Re: kelp
by Bulk Herb Store on Sep 22, 2006

We do not offer Kelp already in capsules (only the Kelp and empty capsules for you to fill yourself). From our reading and experience, we have found hypothyroidism (and other thyroid disorders) to be the direct result of your chosen lifestyle (diet, stress levels, etc.). Kelp has helped many in such areas. It's one of the first things I'd try to stimulate the thyroid to proper function (which is the goal). However, I'd consider reading Nourishing Traditions. It address thyroid trouble, and makes very good suggestions in how to address them naturally.

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