Gelidium amansii

Gelidium amansii

　　Gelidium amansii, also known as sea jelly, red silk, or phoenix tail, is a type of red algae. It is entirely transparent and jelly-like in texture, with a crisp and tender mouthfeel. It can be used in cold salads or made into a type of jelly. Gelidium amansii is also the main raw material for extracting agar. Agar, also called agar-agar, kanten, or gelidium gum, is an important plant-based gel and belongs to the fiber category of food, soluble in hot water. Agar can be used to make cold dishes, jellies, or as a culture medium for microorganisms.

Gelidium amansii can absorb water in the intestines, causing the intestinal contents to expand, increasing stool volume, and stimulating the intestinal walls, which induces the urge to defecate. Therefore, people who often suffer from constipation may benefit from consuming some Gelidium amansii in moderation. It is rich in minerals and various vitamins, especially the alginic acid salts it contains, which have blood pressure-lowering effects. The sulfated polysaccharides found in it are a type of polysaccharide that helps lower lipids, offering certain preventive and therapeutic benefits for high blood pressure and high blood lipids. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that Gelidium amansii can clear the lungs and dissolve phlegm, clear heat and dry dampness, nourish yin and reduce internal heat, cool the blood and stop bleeding, and also has heat-relieving properties.