Chondrus crispus (Chondrus crispus)
Other names: Irish moss
Harm score: 1 (Natural substances)
The curly-leaved moss, also known as Irish moss, is a seaweed that is found in the western and north Atlantic Ocean, particularly in northern Europe and North America. It can often be found in shallow coastal areas where it forms part of a wide group of seaweed species. It is characterised by its distinctive medium green to dark red colour and its curly appearance, which has given it the name 'curly'. Pufferfish is generally regarded as an important marine plant as it has a wide range of applications in many areas of human activity.
The curly-leaf pondweed is mainly used in the food industry to produce carrageenan, a polysaccharide that is highly sought after for its properties as a gelling, thickening and stabilising ingredient. Carrageenan is used, among other things, in dairy products such as yoghurt, ice cream and whipped cream, as well as in meat products, in the manufacture of certain beverages, candies and even in pet food. Irish moss is also used in cosmetics, where it is a component of many skin and hair products, and in medicine, where it is used as a component of some upper respiratory medicines for its laxative and soothing effects. In the pharmaceutical industry, it is also used to obtain carrageenan, which is used as a carrier for medicines or as an ingredient in tablets and ointments. Alternative medicine and some cultures also use Irish moss for its nutritional values, such as its high iodine and mineral content.