Sadly, although Eckonia cava is considered a Korean treasure, much of it on the market has been fake!
Ecklonia cava is a perennial, edible brown alga that grows in shallow, subtidal rocky areas off the coasts of Korea, forming large underwater forests and reaching heights of up to 1.3 meters. This nutrient-rich seaweed is characterized by its long stalk and paddle-shaped blades, and is known in Japan as “kajime” or “kaijime”.
In traditional medicine, Ecklonia cava has long been valued in Korean, Japanese, and Chinese systems for supporting a range of health and wellness, including for digestion and digestive complaints, respiratory health and hair growth. Historically, it has also served as a nutrient source for breastfeeding women due to its content of iodine, calcium, and other minerals.
Ecklonia cava has also been widely enjoyed as a food and an ingredient in functional foods and cosmeceuticals.
It is also used in animal feed, as a fertilizer in agriculture, and its extracts are utilized as a natural dye for textiles, providing not only color but also UV protection and deodorization properties to fabrics.
Ecklonia cava can be found as a Dietary Supplement on the market, but it was not until just recently that a validated Botanical Reference Material (BRM) was created, leading to the discovery that most of the market were not selling authentic Ecklonia cava. Therefore, it is important to assure the anyone selling Ecklonia cava transparently demonstrates it has been validated against an authentic Ecklonia cava BRM.
Through scientific investigation, Ecklonia cava has been found to exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, blood sugar balancing, immune-modulating, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, healthy body weight supporting and metabolic activities, among others.
Ecklonia cava delivers broad-spectrum wellness support, including enhanced cognitive function, stress management, restful sleep, and metabolic balance. Its distinctive marine polyphenols are thought to help counteract oxidative stress, protecting cells from everyday environmental stressors that diminish energy, resilience, and vitality. It also is thought to support energy balance and metabolism through AMPK activity.
Ecklonia cava has also demonstrated the ability to stimulate hair growth by promoting proliferation of dermal papilla cells and upregulating key growth factors like IGF-1 and VEGF, vital for thicker, healthier hair and for maintaining overall hair density over time.
By balancing inflammation and bolstering fibroblast survival, Ecklonia cava is also thought to support skin health. Its polyphenols, particularly dieckol, have been shown to have protective properties.
*This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician.
Reference Materials Matter- The Case of Ecklonia cava.
