If you've walked into Nature's Cleanse and asked about sea moss, you've probably noticed it's not one single thing — it comes in different colors, different forms, and people use it for very different reasons. Here's what we tell customers in the shop, written down for anyone shopping from home.
What Purple Sea Moss Actually Is
Our Purple Sea Moss is wildcrafted and sun-dried, harvested from the coastal waters of Saint Lucia. It's also known as Irish moss, and scientifically it's Chondrus crispus — a type of red algae that grows along rocky Atlantic coastlines.
The purple color is part of what makes this batch distinct. Sea moss naturally occurs in several colors depending on where it's harvested and how much sunlight it gets while growing — gold, green, and purple are the most common. Purple sea moss tends to come from deeper, less sun-exposed waters, and many people who've tried multiple colors say the purple variety has a richer mineral profile, though research comparing the color variants directly is still limited.
Why People Use It
Sea moss has become popular in wellness circles because of its nutrient density. It naturally contains a range of vitamins and minerals, including iodine, potassium, calcium, and magnesium, along with other trace minerals picked up from the ocean environment it grows in.
In our store, customers most often reach for sea moss for:
- General nutrient support — as a daily addition to smoothies or meals rather than a treatment for any specific condition
- Skin and hair routines — some customers use sea moss gel topically as well as internally
- Digestive support — sea moss has a mucilaginous (gel-like) texture once soaked, similar to other functional foods used traditionally for gut comfort
- A whole-food alternative to multivitamins — for people who'd rather get minerals from a food source than a synthetic supplement
We want to be straightforward here: sea moss is a food, not a drug, and it isn't a cure for anything. If you're managing a specific health condition or taking medication — especially anything related to thyroid function, given the natural iodine content — talk to your doctor before adding it to your routine.
How to Use It
Most people buy sea moss in one of two forms: the raw, dried moss (what we sell) or a pre-made gel.
If you're starting with raw dried sea moss:
- Rinse it thoroughly to remove any sand or sea debris.
- Soak it in clean water for 12–24 hours, until it softens and expands significantly.
- Blend the soaked moss with a small amount of water until smooth — this creates a gel.
- Store the finished gel in an airtight container in the fridge.
From there, a spoonful or two goes into smoothies, oatmeal, soups, or even teas. Some people eat it straight off the spoon, though the texture takes some getting used to — it's neutral in flavor but distinctly gel-like.
How to Store It So It Doesn't Go to Waste
This is the question we get asked most, so we'll be specific:
- Dried, unsoaked sea moss keeps well at room temperature in a sealed container, away from moisture and direct light, for a long time — this is the form we ship, specifically because it travels and stores better than pre-made gel.
- Once you've made it into gel, refrigerate it immediately. It stays fresh for 3–4 weeks in the fridge.
- If you want it to last longer, portion the gel into smaller containers and freeze it — frozen sea moss gel holds up well for up to 6 months. Thaw only what you need.
A lot of people make the mistake of blending a large batch and leaving it on the counter — sea moss gel is perishable once made, so treat it the way you'd treat any fresh, unpreserved food.
Why Sourcing Matters Here
Not all sea moss on the market is wildcrafted. A lot of what's sold cheaply is pool-grown or farmed in conditions that don't reflect the natural mineral uptake that makes sea moss appealing in the first place. Ours is harvested directly from the coastal waters of Saint Lucia, sun-dried using traditional methods, with nothing added — no bleaching, no fillers, no shortcuts.
If you've picked up sea moss from us in the shop before, this is the same batch, same sourcing — now just available to order online and have shipped directly to you.
Have questions about sea moss or how to fit it into your routine? Stop by the shop or reach out — we're always happy to talk through it.