Interactions and Medicinal Uses

 

How is Mastocarpus papillatus  Important to Humans?

 

Mastocarpus papillatus could be one of the most important new therapeutic foods. These red marine algae can contain up to twenty times the vitamins and other elements necessary for metabolism compared to land plants! For thousands of years Mastocarpus papillatus  has been searched out for its ability to prolong life, prevent disease, and enhance life. Even though it has been a common part of the diets of many healthy cultures, scientific research has only recently studied the nutritional and medicinal importance of Mastocarpus papillatus .

 


In the mid-seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries, scientists identified thirty species of red marine algae which enhanced the immune system and were shown to be antiviral. Mastocarpus papillatus  was one of the most promising species since it had an antiviral effect against a wide variety of pathogens.


Current research has shown that sulfated polysaccharides contained in Mastocarpus papillatus can suppress HIV, herpes, and influenza viruses. Patients who have taken Mastocarpus papillatus  have reported a lessening or even a stopping of their bacterial growth within the body. Researchers believe that Mastocarpus papillatus  may serve as a gateway to many other types of bacterial, fungal, and viral pathogens.


The Herpes Simplex Virus is something that affects millions of people. There are two froms of the Herpes Simplex Virus which are HSV1 and HSV2. HSV1 is classified by causing cold sores on the mouth, eyes or the face.  It is estimated to be present in 50-80 percent of the American adult population. HSV2 which causes genital herpes is estimated to be present in about 33 percent of the population.  There are approximately 500,000 new American teens being diagnosed every year. Having an outbreak of either HSV1 or HSV2 can be painful and sometimes takes several weeks to heal.

 

Mastocarpus papillatus helps in treating the Herpes Simplex Virus since it stimulates an immune response that can fight the virus and keep it at bay. Mastocarpus papillatus  has also been shown to reduce the amount of colonies in an outbreak, therefore reducing the severity of an outbreak.  Mastocarpus papillatus  is natural and safe, so if you are infected with the Herpes Simplex Virus, my recommendation is that you give it a try.

 

The theme of this years organisms was medicinal organisms, from which medicines are derived. Several other students had organisms that were also found to be antiviral.  Some of these organisms are Piper nigrum (a black pepper), Echinacea pupurea (a purple flower), and Mentha piperita (Peppermint)

 

 

What Can Harm Mastocarpus papillatus?

A major problem farmers of this Red Algae have to watch out for is called Red Rot Disease.  Red Rot disease is caused by a fungal pathogen called Pythium porphyae.  The disease spreads by means of zoospores, which are released into the surrounding seawater.  The fungi gets onto the blades of Mastocarpus papillatus and other species of Red Algae and causes massive death to the species.  There are many noted epidemics once the zoospores have been released into the ocean.

 

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