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Current Status and Future Perspectives of Seaweed Utilization in Marine Healing Programs

해양치유 프로그램에서 해조류의 활용 현황과 발전 방향

Dea Sung An1
,
Ju Hee Kim2
,
Han Gil Choi1*
안 대성1
,
김 주희2
,
최 한길1*
1Faculty of Biological Science and Institute for Environmental Science, Wonkwang University, Iksan 54538, Korea
2Department of Ecology and Conservation, National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea, Seocheon 33662, Korea
1원광대학교 생명과학부
2국립해양생물자원관
*Corresponding Author
30 June 2026. pp. 27-36
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Abstract

Marine healing (thalassotherapy) is a nature-based health promotion approach that utilizes marine resources, including seawater, marine climate, marine mud, and marine biological resources, to improve human health and well-being. In recent years, interest in marine healing has increased due to the growth of the wellness and medical tourism industries. This study reviewed domestic and international marine healing practices and summarized the current utilization of marine biological resources, with a particular focus on seaweed-based healing programs. Major European thalassotherapy centers operate various seaweed therapies, including seaweed wrapping, algae facial masks, remineralizing baths, and slimming programs. Brown algae such as Laminaria digitata and Fucus vesiculosus, red algae such as Chondrus crispus, and green algae such as Ulva lactuca are commonly used in these programs. Seaweeds contain a variety of bioactive compounds, including alginate, fucoidan, carrageenan, vitamins, and minerals, which have been reported to exhibit moisturizing, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and potential wellness-promoting properties. In addition, seaweeds are widely utilized as dietary supplements, cosmetic ingredients, bathing materials, and functional food resources. Korea possesses abundant seaweed resources, including Undaria pinnatifida, Saccharina japonica, Ulva prolifera, and Sargassum species; however, their application in marine healing programs remains limited. Therefore, the development of Korean-style marine healing programs based on the functional properties of native seaweeds is required. Further scientific validation and clinical studies may contribute to the advancement of seaweed-based marine healing industries and the development of high-value-added marine bioresource industries.

Keywords
Marine biological resources
Marine healing
Seaweed therapy
Seaweed wrapping
Thalassotherapy
Wellness

해양치유는 해수, 해양기후, 해양 진흙 및 해양생물자원 등을 활용하여 건강 증진과 질병 예방을 목적으로 하는 자연 기반 건강관리 방법으로, 최근 웰니스 산업과 의료관광 산업의 성장과 함께 관심이 증가하고 있다. 본 연구에서는 국내외 해양치유 사례를 조사하고, 해양치유 프로그램에서 활용되는 해양생물자원과 해조류 기반 프로그램의 현황을 정리하였다. 유럽의 주요 해양치유센터에서는 해조류 래핑, 해조류 목욕, 해조류 마스크 및 슬리밍 프로그램 등이 운영되고 있었으며, Laminaria digitata, Fucus vesiculosus, Chondrus crispus 및 Ulva lactuca 등이 주요 소재로 활용되고 있었다. 해조류는 알긴산, 후코이단, 카라기난 및 다양한 미네랄을 함유하고 있어 피부 보습, 항산화, 항염증, 면역조절 및 웰니스 증진 효과가 보고되고 있다. 또한 해조류는 식이요법, 입욕제, 화장품 및 기능성 식품 소재로 활용되고 있어 해양치유 산업의 핵심 생물자원으로 평가된다. 우리나라는 미역, 다시마, 감태 및 모자반류 등 다양한 해조류 자원을 보유하고 있으나, 해조류 기반 해양치유 프로그램의 활용은 아직 제한적인 수준이다. 따라서 국내 자생 해조류의 기능성 성분과 생리활성을 기반으로 한 한국형 해양치유 프로그램 개발이 필요하며, 향후 과학적 검증과 임상 연구를 통해 해조류 기반 해양치유 산업의 활성화와 고부가가치화를 도모할 필요가 있다.

키워드
래핑 프로그램
웰니스
해양생물자원
해양치유
해조류
해조류 테라피
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Information
  • Publisher :The Korean Society of Phycology
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국조류학회
  • Journal Title :Aquatic Nature
  • Journal Title(Ko) :수생생물
  • Volume : 6
  • No :1
  • Pages :27-36
  • Received Date : 2026-06-17
  • Revised Date : 2026-06-18
  • Accepted Date : 2026-06-19
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.23135/an.2026.6.1.3
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