Could Seaweed Help Us Fight Covid-19?

Did you see us in the news?

We’re not hanging up our harvesting boots any time soon for a career in scientific speculation, but you might have seen our SeaEO, Fiona, in the news last week. 

Researchers have started investigating to find out if an over the counter nasal spray with a seaweed ingredient could help the immune system fight off cold and flu symptoms.

What the study says

Researchers at Swansea University in Wales are leading a study involving an over the counter nasal spray from Boots costing just £5.99 which contains an ingredient which is a form of seaweed to dampen the symptoms of cold and flu.

It’s an understatement to say we’re pleased about seaweed becoming the talking point it once was in the UK. 

In the past, people throughout the British Isles understood the healing properties of seaweed – that’s why seaweed tea and seaweed broth was administered by our ancestors to people recovering from flu and colds. But we forgot about it. Until now. 

We’re excited to see further studies being conducted to see if seaweed can help with yet another health condition. We have a wealth of healing native seaweeds. We will eagerly await the study’s findings to see if seaweed can prevent Covid-19 infection or reduce the severity of symptoms. 

Fiona said, “It wouldn’t surprise me – I know from consuming seaweed on a daily basis myself for the last few years that I have had far fewer colds.”

What do you think?

Are you a seaweed sceptic or a sea-believer? We’d love to hear your thoughts. You can tweet us, or tag us on Instagram.