Dulse, also known as sea lettuce and dillisk is a red alga that grows on the northern coasts of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The earliest record of this species is on the island of Iona, Scotland where monks harvested it over 1,400 years ago. Dulse is commonly used as food and medicine in Ireland. The seaweed is a very good source of minerals and vitamins compared with other vegetables, containing all trace elements needed by humans. It is commonly found from June to September and can be picked by hand when the tide is out which is then spread to dry. Botanical extracts made with dulse have been found to hold skin protecting properties.
