Blackstrap Molasses: A Nutrient-Dense Superfood & Its Health Benefits

Anemia

Posted by Maria (Houston, Texas) on 05/05/2007
★★★★★

I was suffering for years with anemia and I had even been let go from my job due to the fact that I could not keep my strength up. I had been told by several doctors that my multiple fibroids required a hysterectomy. I had no tolerance for ANY type of iron supplement. I was steadily getting worse. One doctor even gave up treating me. When that happened I was greatly distressed. I began to recall an island friend telling me that I needed to take blackstrap molasses. So I began using it and lo and behold I improved immediately. My blood count went up from 6 to 7.8 in one month. I now am going through menopause and have found that it helps even with that. I love it and tell everyone about it. My husband takes it daily. I also have no more symptoms of anemia and fibroid issues. I take it now for the calcium and other minerals that are great for menopause troubles.

Anemia

Posted by Debbi (Greenwich, CT) on 02/01/2007
★★★★★

I became very anemic last year almost to the point of having an endometrial ablation and blood transfusions! I took my health into my own hands and did lots of research. Blackstrap molasses (unsulfured) restored my iron levels and my energy! I still take it everyday!

Anemia

Posted by Krystal (Memphis, TN) on 12/13/2006
★★★★★

I have been anemic all my life. When I decided to change my eating habits and study herbalism, I came across a book that talked about how black strap molasses could shrink tumors and how high it was in iron. I use to have the ice cravings but no more. For the first time in my life I am not anemic. My mother was very surprised and has started using the product for herself. It works! I am living proof; if you're anemic, take 1 tablespoon each morning in a half cup of warm water and it will do the trick! Nature is a wonderful thing!

Anemia

Posted by Guest (Georgia) on 11/16/2017

I also have thalassemia. Most doctors do not know the difference between iron poor blood and thalassemia when seen microscopically. A special test for thalassemia is required. Fortunately, my general doctor sent me to a hematologist to find the cause of my anemia.

Several years later I became pregnant. I went to "the best" obgyn clinic in a nearby city. I told them about my thalassemia and they ignored me. I saw four doctors there who all prescribed iron supplements. I repeatedly told them to research thalassemia, and I even mailed them material on the subject, still they ignored me.

I refused to take the extra iron. If I had not known better, these doctors could have caused my unborn son and myself serious health health issues such as heart damage. At age three, my son was also diagnosed with anemia. His pediatrician -- "the best in town" -- insisted I put him on iron supplements, even after I told him my son might have thalassemia. I refused and insisted he prescribe a thalassemia test at the nearby hospital. The doctor reluctantly agreed. The test showed my son also has thalassemia.

Anemia

Posted by Dave (Fountain Inn, Sc) on 06/01/2015

Hello Jules,

When I think I need Blackstrap Molasses, I take a tablespoon a day. I have to drink water immediately to wash it down! Some people warm a cup of water and dissolve the BSM in that and drink like a tea.

General Feedback

Posted by Rodney (London) on 04/30/2017

Looks like your meat free and fat free diet is not working for you, which is no surprise really as there is so much quality nutrition in those foods, particularly if organic.

Fibroids

Posted by Deb (New Jersey) on 05/14/2013
★★★★☆

I have been in severe pain with a pedunculated fibroid for 2 months. I got this post menopause. I found out if you lose alot of weight quickly this can happen. I was exhausted and having restless leg problem also. I took the molasses for one day and actually slept restfully. Woke up and first time no pain. My stomach also softened up and went down quite a bit. The taste is a bit heavy for me but I decided its worth it. I'm going to use my mini ice cube tray and see if I can freeze it and drink it in my water. Thanks to all who posted their stories. God Bless!!

Anemia

Posted by Kelly (Seattle) on 06/05/2017

"By the way, molasses is a superfood indeed. They start with a field of plants, remove the water, fiber, sugar, and what's left is concentrated organic minerals! "

Again, with all due respect, this is simply incorrect information that can be confirmed by doing a simple google search. The water, sugar, and even small amounts of fiber aren't "removed" -- molasses has a moderate sugar content and thus a glycemic index of 55, compared to say, meat, which has a glycemic index of 0.

While the sugar content is less than 'sugar', it's definitely in there.

Anxiety

Posted by Tasha (East Coast, Usa) on 08/27/2010
★★★★★

It seemed to work on my mood immediately, as in within 2 days. My anxiety went WAY down very quickly. Very pleased with this and absolutely sure its the BSM.

Skin

Posted by Annie (Melbourne, Australia) on 03/05/2008
★☆☆☆☆

hi all, i have been takin 2tbls of bsm and have just stopped as my skin on my face looked like it was aging and dry i no it has a lot of sugar in it and i was just wonderin if anyone sle had same problem, im a bit dissapointed as i really liked it, would love to hear if anyone else had similar problems, cheers

Pain

Posted by Helen (Long Island, United States) on 03/14/2007
★★★★★

I have been taking molasses in warm milk and agree it is like a latte. It really tastes good. Also, my leg pain has lessened and I can go up stairs and walk much better. I am also taking the vinegar and baking soda which I didn't think was doing much, but when I added the molasses drink I think it made a big difference. (My doctor says I have very bad arthritis. This is the first relief I have had. These remedies are highly recommended by me.

Anemia

Posted by Arn (Kenmore, Wa.) on 09/23/2009 20 posts
★★★★★

Molasses and iron.

Organic iron - good. Metallic iron - bad. Iron in its elemental state is what is used in most drugstore vitamins, and in most iron fortified cereals, flour etc. Read the label and it will say iron or reduced iron. Reduced means the iron filings are ground up very small. It is still like chewing on a nail, and elemental iron CAUSES pernicious anemia and a lot of other probs. It is toxic. Avoid iron fortified 'anything' like the plague.

But molasses is the right stuff. All the minerals therein have been filtered and processed through the plant and are in organic form. Just think. They get rid of the fiber, most of the water and sugar, and what is left is concentrated organic minerals. You would pay a premium price for it if it were in capsules and a fancy bottle at the health food store. But guess what! It is delicious and cheap and available most everywhere. This is the best health bargain there is.

Arrhythmia

Posted by Peg (Omaha, NE) on 10/11/2006
★★★★★

I was low on potassium, and having heart arrhythmia because of it. 1 tbs each morning, and occasionally another tsp in the early evening keeps it away!

Candida

Posted by Jess (Texas) on 10/29/2023
★★★★★

Black strap molasses ( for candida)

**Background **

Mom (f 64) and I (f 28) had been struggling with candida for several years (mom 6 years, me 2 years) she would be so itchy and red that she could no longer sleep plus would have an oozing discharge from under her breast and her skin would flake off ( Dr gave her a pill in the beginning ( lamosil I believe but I could be wrong )but she ended up with a fever 102, hives, chills and body aches so bad she couldn't get out of bed plus the candida became even worse) so we started trying every home remedy we could find. Instead of having the rash all day everyday it became a nightly problem only but did not disappear. Cue 4 years later I started having a rash on my cheeks, thrush, and itching under my chest plus a oozy discharge from my navel I managed to get rid of it for a few weeks but it kept coming back. We also had insomnia sometimes only sleeping 1 to 2hrs a night.

Both of us had darker skin along candida hotspots and our arms( mom used to call me her chocolate chip as I was so dark when I should be golden brown)

Mom was diagnosed with fatty liver so she had quite a bit of swelling in her abdomen plus many liver spots.

***trying Black Strap molasses***

Fast-forward 2 years and through pure chance I found out about Blackstrap molasses for painful menstrual cramps and upon further research I found out it had ⅕ of your daily iron in it plus it is 50-97% absorbable as I was also struggling with pms and anemia I decided to try it despite it possibly triggering the candida.( so did my mom )

I AM SO GLAD I DID!!!!!

It did trigger a rash on the 1st day but we persisted as we both finally got a full night's sleep!!!! We felt so well rested finally!!! It was worth the rash!!!!

We decided to take wormwood to control the candida somewhat...But

***Within 3 days we noticed no more itching!!!!! No more rash!!!!! We both are feeling better then we have in a long time!!!!

*** Dosage***

started with 1 tbsp once daily went to 3 tbsp throughout day***

My research showed you can take 6 tbsp but please do you own research

As this has a lot of potassium about 700 mgs per tbsp ( drs say 99mgs per day but apparently we can take more do your own research please)

**** side effects****

Die off is not fun those 3 days were terrible but as we hadn't slept for so long it was worth it

People warn about sugar spikes but I have noticed it Dropping my sugar instead mom did as well(she's had hypoglycemia since childhood she knows the signs)

Made me super sleepy to the point of dizziness for the 1st week after that it balanced out and I can take it anytime of day now

I started loosing weight and needing to eat more as my metabolism has kicked into gear ( plus sugar levels dropping)

In the first few days my urine smelled really strong and was very dark plus I needed to pee more often this slowed down after about a week or two

Week 2

I started having mood swings

( but still the sleep was worth it)

Week 3

I started noticing pains in my bones and body to (but I could still tell this is helping me I'm getting better so I continued) taking niacin helped with the aches

Week 4

I started losing my appetite but was still getting hungry faster so I made myself eat( it was hard) but still feeling better as my body felt stronger

Week 5

My fingers started swelling up and hurting (but again I still know this is helping) niacin helped and this only happened on and off through 2 days never happened again for me

Week 6

I feel awesome no side effects or die off symptoms I feel great!!!!

Though mom just started having mood swings lack of appetite and the swelling fingers all at once(probably cause she had those problems so much longer???)

But still no rash!!!! We're sleeping every night full 8hrs!!!! Body feels stronger and swelling of mom's liver is going down!!!! Skin color is clearing up!!!! More energy!!!! Age spots on mom are going away!!!! Her hair is turning back to brown most of the top of her head was silver!!!! My hair is fuller and has more volume!!!! We feel awesome we keep getting stronger!!!!

Ps uncle tried this too

His many liver spots are going away!!! And his skin is clearing up

Safety Concerns

Posted by GertJr (Madison) on 06/18/2023

Well, California. They consider everything unsafe, even being alive.

Low Iron Count

Posted by Judith (Namibia) on 02/11/2016
★★★★★

When my mother suffered from low iron and had to take many iron tablets they were not much help. We were told it was not anaemia. She had to have blood transfusions. She remembered an old chemist telling her that molasses ( Blackstrap) together with half an asprin was the best heart medicine. She started taking blackstrap ( not desulphered) raw molasses. It helped her more than anything. I guess you would have to be careful if you were diabetic though. We also noticed that's for her stress levels dropped then her iron count did not go down so fast. Maybe the vitamin B12 in the molasses also has something to do with that.

Energy

Posted by Windy & Breezy (Central Florida) on 11/24/2016

That's funny, our modern take on having body hair! Having body hair is natural. My brother & I were anemic as kids & lost most of our natural body hair (although no one connected the two coincidences), so I'm guessing you're getting some cure, which is why you seem to have more body hair now. Shave or whatever if you need, but I hope you can enjoy the way our bodies are meant to be when healthy!

Gray Hair

Posted by Patty (Covina, California) on 01/18/2008
★★★★★

When I heard about molasses taking white hair off I could't believe it. But I though it was worth to try. every morning in an 8 oz glass of water I mix two table spoons of the blackstrap molasses, two table spoon of raw honey, and two table spoon of apple cider and drink it. I have to be honest the taste I don't like very much, but the energy i get from that is tremendous, and not only that but because of the apple cider keeps me away from any type of viruses including flu. This is a great thing I am so glad I learn about it because it been already 5 months since I started taking it and almost all my white hair is gone!!! I will take it for the rest of my life, thanks to my Health book I purchase!!!

Broad Benefits

Posted by Cherish (Tucson, Az.) on 02/26/2015

Ana: Organic Blackstrap Molasses doesn't have " few" minerals/ nutrients, but a lot. It is VERY high in Potassium in the organic BSM, to the tune of 730 mg per Tbsp. , compared to 110-210 in its non-organic competitors. See their back labels, it's right there. It is also rich in Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Copper, Selenium, Manganese, and other nutrients. Your "fav dude" you referenced is wrong on other things as well. It is a wealth. Folic Acid, another B vitamin, is great at growing new, more hair if taken for at least a few months in higher quantities.

Broad Benefits

Posted by Tish (Chicago, IL) on 07/21/2007
★★★★★

My period has been always heavy that my hemoglobin level is always low that I have to take iron and shot every 2 weeks. ITs hard also to work and go to the bathroom every now and then. When I bleed it like for 10 days and more. I was diagnosed with fibroid just 2 months ago and I found your website just weeks before my surgery and its my second day of my period. I started taking the molasses and the next day my period slow down and no blood clotting and it stopped after 5 days. My daughter is always suffering from constipation and I recommended her this and she said she never pooh like this before.. THANK YOU!

Skin Rashes

Posted by Cat (Tauranga, New Zealand) on 03/13/2012
★★★★★

YEA I thought it was worth mentioning that BSM has virtually eliminated my rosacea on my nose. I had a red (sometimes VERY red) nose for years now but to be honest, I'd never noticed it creeping up on me till someone asked me why my nose was always red!! I have never been so humiliated in my life but it made me very conscious of course and before trying anything natural, went through a stage of using makeup - FAIL - to try and cover redness. About 6 months ago I started using BSM morning and night and noticed my nose had returned to normal skin colour almost immediately!! It has been years since I've been this confident about not using makeup and going out, now the only time I notice it come back (only slightly) is if I drink certain wines which I believe is quite common, but it doesn't happen all the time - only with certain brands.

It never really occured to me that it was the BSM but if I run out and don't take it for a few days, it slowly creeps back but not as severe as before. I'm sure of course this is due to the high content of copper in this brand, it's also reasonably high in sulphur which is great for skin issues!

Anemia

Posted by Connie (Rochester, NY) on 03/10/2007
★★★★★

I have always had heavy periods, and had a fibroid tumor removed several years ago. I was anemic often as a teenager, but couldn't stomach any iron pills. Now as a 40-year-old woman, I'm starting to become "normal" in terms of menstrual flow, but often feel weak and fatigued. I had my thyroid checked, but that turned out to be okay. I then figured I was probably lacking iron. I remembered reading somewhere that blackstrap molasses was high in iron. I bought an inexpensive bottle ($2.79) of House of Herbs blackstrap molasses and was quite impressed to see that one tablespoon contains 70% of the RDA for iron. For the past two months, I've been adding a tablespoon to my coffee every morning in place of sugar. It tastes great, and I haven't felt tired or drained. I see here from others' comments that molasses is also a good remedy for constipation (which had also frequently plagued me, despite my high-fiber diet and increased intake of water), and thinking back over the past several weeks, I realize that I haven't been constipated. Great to know that it works that way, too!

Blood Sugar

Posted by Tai (Lakewood, WA) on 09/14/2006
★★★★★

My mother in law tells me it helps her everyday with her sugar level (she has Diabetes). She feels much better since she has taken molasses.

Circulation

Posted by Maureen (Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada)
★★★★★

Thank you Norman L. from Abbotsford, BC for taking the time to write about the benefits blackstrap molasses has had for you. I have NEVER heard of anything that helps swollen ankles and your e-mail has given me hope. I have just started using it for other reasons and now hope I get the same results you got. I must say I try so many things that I would not know what worked if something did work! I will pass on something that I discovered last week. I used the remainder of blackstrap molasses I have had for years and bought new organic unsulfured blackstrap molassas last week. There was some that I could not get out of the bottle so rather than waste it I decided to add shampoo and water to the bottle and wash my hair with it to see if it would help my gray hair. Well it did not, no surprise there, but it did clean my scalp (from itch) about 90% for most of the day. It worked just as good as apple cider vinegar does for me without the smell.

'Thank you Earth Clinic for a fantastic site and also to Ted and Bill for your valuable input. Maureen