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

I am going to try Black Strap Molasses (BSM) in an effort to eliminate some of my grey hair, but I am a novice as far as BSM is concerned, so would one of the BSM Veterans wade in and respond to my comments and questions.

There were a few people who stated in their post that they were taking BSM in hopes of minimizing/eliminating their grey hair; they went on to explain they had to discontinue their regimen due to the high sugar content of BSM, which had a negative impact on them. I'm wondering if they were taking the unsulphered BSM. Is there is a difference between the unsulphered and plain BSM?

Also I was wondering would it be ok to use BSM in hot green tea with lemon? Normally I use honey as a sweetner, because I believe it is a healthy alternative to sugar. But I would like to start my BSM regimen with green tea and lemon; providing the beneficial effects of the BSM won't be diminished.

What I know of BSM is you should have it in the morning as it takes all day to process. I like to have it between breakfast and lunch and mix it in half a glass of warm rose-hip tea as it is high in vitamin c. Dosage moderation balance slow and steady wins the race. Is this a good way any other hints. Thanks

To Hubert: According to Iron Disorders Institute, tea and coffee and many other foods block or impair the uptake of Iron- and it is widely stated that BSM is rich in Potassium ( on the back label of the organic- 730 mg. Per Tbsp. , as opposed to 110-210 in Grandma's and Brer's, meaning non-organic), Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Copper, Selenium and more. Another website shows the whole long list of foods that block or impair uptake of Iron as well, stating that especially Green Tea is completely contrary to Iron. But as it's not necessarily the Iron that effects gray hair, perhaps the other nutrients in it is what you're inquiring about. I wouldn't mix it with any tea, coffee, dairy, or calcium product, or anything else on the long list, UNLESS you want to lessen your iron uptake, or potentially chelate/ lessen the Iron you already have.

Plantation unsulphurated BlkStr. I love the flavor, (reminds me of Goodn'Plenty my favorite candy), so I take 1 T. in a.m., for 3 days now, today I was having a slight pounding in the center of my back, I thought it might be my heart too! I am 57, good health, active w/3 new grandbabies??

I'm quite a novice, so may be completely wrong on this subject, but just in case, I thought I'd mention the following. I know a person whose dark brown hair gradually became lighter, but with a greenish tint. This amazed everyone. It was later found to be caused by too much copper in the diet and in a supplement he was taking. I was told he had a susceptibility to this. I may be wrong, but doesn't BSM contain a significant amount of copper? The person's diet had to be changed, supplement eliminated and I think there was a vitamin used to help reverse the effects.

Thanks to both Addy and Lon for your comments. I already use the purple shampoo, this was a standard before deciding to try BSM. I will stop the BSM and look into vitamins as well as other solutions to reverse its effects.

Henna and indigo herbs will make hair dark and cover gray. You may add amla for less red undertone. They work and they are all safe. I get mine from Mehandi.com

Did you check your Hat/Cap team color? If you use it everyday? Just like maybe the blue legs symptoms people have caused by wearing jeans perhaps?

He Shou Wu has been using for treating gray hair for long history. But it was confirmed its harmful quality for liver function. So be careful.

Hello! I know it is maddening when the hair gets off color. It happen to me 20 or so years ago but it was from to much msm that I was taking for skin problems. Dear, make sure that your Blackstrap Molasses is organic and also check you amount of sulfur in you diet and supplements: some liver can process only small amount of sulfur per day. I don't know if this is pertaining to you, but it doesn't hurt to check. For restoring color, look on iodine and paba. But remember, what ever you do is connected to you whole body state of health and there is a lot of reading to do on this site and the internet. I hope you get satisfying result! PEACE!

This is Amy, the original poster. I am checking back in at 9 months and was about to say with certainty that this does not work. I have been taking pictures every 3 months and see no improvement and still need to color every three weeks.... However, I have not been taking ORGANIC BSM. I've been taking Plantation brand unsulfured BSM from the health food store but it does not say organic. Hard for me to imagine how this can make a difference. And if the health food store does not carry it, how am I supposed to find it? At the moment I shall not continue with this 'treatment'. I do not see any results and at 1 T a day for 9 months that is a lot of calories for no result.

My concern about molasses is exactly their high content of iron. There are many health issues associated with iron building up in men and menopause women, damaging their organs. That is because for most people, iron overload has no symptoms. Some people with iron overload may experience symptoms. They may feel tired, have a low sex drive, see changes in skin color, and have pain in their joints. People may think these symptoms are caused by another disease, aging, or lack of sleep.

The only way to know if you have iron overload is to get tested for it. An iron level that continues to be over 1000 mcg/L (micrograms per liter) means you have iron overload. A simple blood test called a serum ferritin test can tell you your iron level. Too often, people with iron overload don't know they have it until they have serious health problems, such as heart failure, diabetes, or liver disease. Learn more about the impact of iron overload.

I also do not trust the soy product. No nation in far east use this tipe of soy product - they use fermented soy (like natto). Soy milk is devastating to be a part of the babies formulas.

Hi Kaio, After learning how much some sugarcane is aerial sprayed nowadays with pesticides, herbicides and chemical fertilizers my concern is the use of non organic molasses for those with Fibromyalgia or Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. Your idea of having a simple blood test is excellent. There have been some Drs who even prescribe iron tablets without doing this test.

A few years ago I had a chat with an hematologist regarding the use of Vit C to help with the absorption of iron. Not only to help get enough for those anemic in iron but also for those with levels that are to high and the use of Vit C to help in not absorbing too much. He agreed that Vit C can do both of these, BUT it would be worth getting it checked more often if it is in the high bracket. I have seen firsthand the results of someone who is a hematomacrosis carrier, whose iron levels were at the borderline of needing to be bleed, who had a large serving of Lambs-fry (liver) for their evening meal and also ate some the following morning for breakfast. They took Vit C with each meal and had their blood tested that afternoon. The results were iron in the normal range albeit on the higher end. Also a friend had low iron levels in her pregnancy but would not take iron tablets, she got her test results into the normal range (lower end) by having Vit C or orange juice with her meals.

Hi Rick.

I use BSM but it hasn't helped with my gray hair. I guess I don't use enough.. I kind of live my live and eat and take things by intuition. Like if I think that day my body says okay take a teaspoon of BSM then I do... I am mostly vegetarian with fish and probably don't get enough iron and I also take it to get iron to my heart.. Not everyday but when my body thinks its necessary.. Good Luck with your choice..

I have to say that this surprises me..... a lady in a health food shop told me a while ago that she lived somewhere in an exotic place (I don't remember where) and that the population which is very poor used to get molasses as kind of a food suplement as it wasn't used for anything else. A lorry would come along and distribute it. Then a lot of people would surely be feeling ill...... I have to say that other than diarrhea if I take it first thing in the morning I never felt any other side effect.

Don't take black strap molasses on an empty stomach it will make your stomach hurt, rather use it after you have eaten or when you are eating.

Christina, I can't speak directly to blackstrap molasses. But I can say that I was helped tremendously by acupuncture and herbs through a Chinese herbologist, who made the combinations himself. I had an embolization previously, in order to avoid surgery. But the embolization only helped temporarily, and not that much. I am fine now, and the fibroids are greatly reduced, though they once were huge. I looked 4 months pregnant. I was also taken to the emergency room four times in the years before the embolization due to low blood count and pain.

If you are estrogen dominant you will have trouble with fibroids.

Finally! Today I am experiencing a semi normal stool again, and I say semi normal, because there was a stringy mucous thing that had a little blood in it, but everything else is solid. I am still using the Bromelain, and molasses therapy, but have started to season food with cinnamon, sage, oregano, tumeric, nutmeg, (all of these that I mentioned are therapeutic to the GI system), salt is okay, and so is basil. For some reason I can use garlic cloves, but not the powder, and I cannot use black pepper (except 1 or 2 grinds). I also have not consumed a lot of red meat, and I found that activia breaks stool down, (yes it will make you regular if you are constipated) but you will find it makes you very watery. Fish, eggs, chicken, and lamb are very good meats if you don't want to go vegan yet. I also have noticed my eyesight seems to be getting a little better (who knew?).

Some of you on here may have benefited from this, but my condition was in August re-diagnosed as crohn's disease due to the ileitis, and I found that the bile from my gangrenous gall bladder had something to do with the irritation. Bromelain is a great substance to get rid of inflammation, but it also may have masked my symptoms. When I was told in January that they could do laproscopic surgery to the gall bladder to remove it and have no more attacks, I should have listened. The last hospital visit on August 18 when I was admitted revealed that I needed immediate removal of my gall bladder, and thus I had a 50% chance of having the surgery laproscopically. During the operation, they had to go hot, and remove it in 4 sections. After this I had staples and J-pouches attached. I just got them removed yesterday. I have been using cinnamon,black strap molasses to get rid of the bile run off which can be quite embarrassing, and it works. I also resumed with the bromelain, because it does eat the proteins from the bad tissue left behind. I am in hopes of a complete recovery, and it looks like I will eventually be able to eat what I want in the future with no further attacks. I was told by the surgeon himself that I was lucky to be alive. The whole reason in the first place I went in to the hospital was from a low grade fever that lasted more than 4 days after a flare up from eating watermelon. Had I waited more than 2 more days I would have been septic, and saving me would have been a gamble.

If you have pains between your shoulder blades, pains up your right arm, yellowed eyes or skin, and you do not have to necessarily have the upper right quadrant pains from the gall bladder as is the hallmark symptom. Get yourself some immediate medical attention.

Also if the hospital I had been admitted to in June had done a CT scan after I vomited a quart and a half of bile, they would have seen the gall bladder was abscessed. I am an advocate of getting at least an (what medical professionals say) annual work up done every 2 years or as soon as you are able to. Chances are, there are affordability issues. You cannot have or enjoy wealth without health.

I'm in the same boat as Cindy from Monroe, WI. I don't know why but ever since I started taking BSM (1 Tablespoon in the morning) it seems to be having the exact opposite influence on me than what it's stated to help with. This is my 7th day taking it.

I've been taking ACV (1 tblsp. 3x a day with a cup of water) for 3 weeks now and DE (Diatomaceous Earth)for 2 weeks and things seem to be going pretty well until I added the BSM. I've suffered from constipation, bloating, anxiety, heart palpitations and so on :( It's such an awful feeling to be constipated and bloated...yuck! So while I was on just the ACV and DE its helped a lot. I don't really get bloated and when I been going to the bathroom 1-3 x a day. And when I went to the bathroom I would feel lighter and emptied out for the most part.

Now ever since I've incorporated the BSM into my routine it hasn't had the same effect on me as it has on most people here and I would like to keep taking it because of all the health benefits it seems to have. By taking this I thought I would be going to the bathroom more and releasing like crazy. Unfortnately that hasn't happenned. I still do go to the bathroom at least 2x a day but it just doesn't feel the same. It feels like I have to struggle more kind of and when I do release it's not as much as before when I wasn't taking it. I don't feel as light after going to the bathroom...kind of still a little full and slightly bloated.

It also seems to have made my heart palpitations more noticeable and I feel this throughout the day from just taking the BSM in the morning. So I think the BSM has given me more or less some anxiety, constipation & heart palpitations...WHATS UP WITH THAT!! :(

I've taking the BSM a couple of ways and don't really care for any of them...I've taking it straight followed with some water, mixed it in a cup of cold water, put it in my cereal and have also poured it over my cooked oatmeal.

I really don't want to stop taking the BSM(especially if it helps with stopping your hair go gray...not that I really have that problem now but later on down the road..I'm in my early thirties) so if anyone can help with any suggestions I would greatly appreciate it.

Maybe I should put the 1 Tablsp. of BSm in some boiling/hot water maybe that would help some how...how I don't know but maybe it will. Or maybe I should take like 2 teaspoons in the morning and 1 teaspoon in the afternoon(3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon as far as I know).

Thanks to whomever read this mess that I wrote and for any help :)

Side effects- If someone is not getting the results they are looking for, we need to remember what is good for one is not for another all the time? Some need to take smaller doses, not as often, or in another form. We are all different and God created so many different foods and herbs to help us. Don't give up!

Just know that whenever you take Epsom salts orally it liquifies everything in your gut and relaxes all of the muscles. Since it liquifies everything in your gut, this is most likely why you had diarrhea.

l have been taking molasses for years over 10 years for my ulcer and anemia. Four year ago l start have problem with my kidneys. l have a cyst on kidney which is killing me with pain. The doctor told me there is no cure for that. l recently start taking ACV FOR IT . l recently bought molasses for a friend who was very sick and suffering from anemia she told me that the molasses is not for kidneys. ls it the cause of my kidney problems is it true? Does the molasses have side effect on the kidneys/ please advice ASAP THANKS.

It's difficult to overdose with simple uncombined food like blackstrap molasses.The flavor will change to be repugnant after a person consumes too much. Did you notice? The flavor returns to be yummy after the body needs more. This has been my experience. Entering detox mode doesn't have to mean one has eaten too much, but it's a good idea to slow down.

I've only used blackstrap molasses for my periods.

Should molasses be used in a glass of hot water or cold water?

I am a 53 yr. woman that has been using ACV and oil pulling for about two months now. One of my problems had been swelling of my ankles wrists, & lymph nodes. Since I have been oil pulling, and using ACV the swelling has decreased alot even when I sit long periods of time. One thing that happened while I was taking blkstrap molasses 1 tbs. a.m. and one before bedtime. I gained weight because of the rich vitamins so I cut down to just 1 tbs. before bed. Oh! and the spider veins are fading around my ankles and legs. Where do I get colorless iodine?

Is it OK to give black strap molasses to a 3 yr old? She suffers from constipation

Warning

I was just browsing through some of the information posted and wanted to add my "5 cents".

I should mention, if you do use blackstrap molasses to "blacken your hair" be careful that you do not develop a vitamin B3 deficiency, WHICH IS known as pellagra, which apparently is important for the diet for those with Lupus.

For the man who treated Lupus on a gluten free diet...take head, that this goes right back to a probable involvement of strep as this is the main bacteria that feeds on B-vitamins, as it is essential for them to live. This is especially true if you eat corn products because corn alone can induce pellagra if the corn has not been fortified (i.e.canned corn or corn on the cob, corn chips, or unfortunately for all its good intentions..organic corn producers that do not fortify their processed foods. If you have Lupus and you're going luten free and eating unfortified corn, you're inching closer to pellagra.This one instance where eating a wholesome food (corn) will give you disease (pellagra) if eaten in large quantities and it is not fortified.

You mean that Molasses induce a B3 deficiency? Is this true EC?

EC: Blackstrap Molasses is said to be a good source of B Vitamins, so we're not sure. Conflicting reports on the net re: molasses and lupus. We could not find anything about it causing a B3 deficiency.

Have been using regular molasses a few weeks and noticed a slight improvement in the color of my fingernail bed. Purchased Black Strap Molasses a few days ago and enough pink has returned to my nails that I can see the moons, which I've not seen in 20 years.

I had SEVERE anemia after the birth of my son 29 years ago... Was already on prenatal vitamins with lots of iron. The Dr. suggested Black Strap molasses, and after the intial tast encounter, learned to LOVE it. My anemia went away and I felt better than I had in years. Great news, yes? Well, where do I find Black Strap molasses now... there is dark, etc., but I never see Black Strap! I really need to locate a source of it because my father is having some serious troubles... I think that since modern medicine cannot find or do anything for him, and based on what is happening (he is slipping away) that Black Strap cannot hurt... PLEASE HELP! Thanks, Willow

Hi there, This is in response to the lady's last post on uterine fibroids- look up lugols iodine, there is lots of info on the net about it curing a range of female conditions x

Try black seed oil. It seems to help with imflamation and tumours. Maybe it will work on fibroid tumours.

I have have the same issues with anemia. I also had an ablation and thought this would help with losing so much blood every month. I thought this was the answer to my nightmare, however I was wrong. My period is never ending. I myself said I was going to take matters into my own hands.I heard about the molasses and my fiance went and bought some so I hope this works to get my iron up and hopfully stop me from bleeding so much. I'm glad I'm not alone but hate we have these issues. Thanks for sharing :)

About a month ago I was diagnosed with a 6 cm Fibroid tumor in my uterus. At that point I was having very heavy periods that will last over a week with a lot of pain and passing very big blood clots. I also suffered from back pain due to the fibroid and had problems peeing as the fibroid was pressing my bladder. After I was diagnosed, I started to look for natural cures on the internet and I found your website and after reading about all the remedies I started to take molasses three times a day ( 1 tablespoon). The first thing I noticed was that my period lasted only four to five days and I have to say I was a little afraid because my blood flow was abnormally light and I did not have not even a blood clot. Also, when I started to have horrible pain I took 4 tablespoons on one go as another reader suggested and after about 40 minutes the pain totally disappeared!!! Today I went to the doctor and they did a ultrasound scan and said the fibroid is gone!!! I am totally amazed and I am not too sure what to think, I don`t know if it is gone for ever or what but I will keep molasses in my diet just in case.

By the way, I did not use blackstrap molasses but the normal molasses which is sweeter. Also I started to eat algae (japanese Kombu-which is rich in iodine) as part of my diet, about once or twice a week, , so maybe this also played a part in the cure. Thank you very much for your website and I hope you can understand my english. Nuria

I think the idea of black strap molasses to avoid graying hair is a great idea. As I think of it, my father used to eat some molasses every day on his biscuits and he was into his sixties before the gray began to show a bit. When he developed diabetes, he was ordered to stop the molasses, and his hair really became quite white within a year. I have heard that a B vitamin deficiency can cause gray hair. You are right, it cost a packet to color your hair and I don't think the toxic chemicals in most commercial hair dyes are good for your health- quite the contrary. I will buy some molasses soon and see what happens. I only have a small amount of gray, but if molasses will help, then why not. Maybe it will help with other complaints as well.
Thanks Earth Clinic angels!

i just wanted to add that it is a disorder that affects people of mediterranean decent. my mother was Greek, and she, my sister and brother have it (the minor form), but like you said, IRON is very bad for these people.

just because you are from that background doesn't mean that is the type of anemia you have, i was just saying that this type of anemia is found in some people from those areas.

also, anemia can be from different deficiencies; iron, b12, folic acid, copper, etc.

If you don't mind me asking, how does black strap molasses cure your blood sugar problems? What is your secret

Dear Ricoh,

I think it would be fine to put Blackstrap Molasses in your Chanca Piedra tea. I have used Blackstrap to sweeten herbal tea used for medicinal purposes. Although, I would defer to Bill's wisdom in this as he is very experienced with that herb, I believe.

Is a blood pressure of 90/60 lower than your normal? That is about what mine is and I always considered it to be okay. Do you feel poorly right now?

Blackstrap Molasses is a food and seems to suit most people. Even some with diabetes can use it. Some people have a high iron condition, and I would think it would not be a good idea for them to take it.

~Mama to Many~

I always understood that "Consumption" meant T.B. i.e.Tuberculous?

more than likely it is referring to being consumed by illness...

So, some time has gone by since Michael from New Zealand wrote this. Does anyone have the answer as to the Blackstrap Molasses cure to cancer. Have anyone proved it to be tried and true, or did it cause more problems?

Thank you.

Hi John and Maureen, I am trying molasses as well. I am 52, dark hair going grey which I have dyed for years. As I don't want all the chemicals in my hair and scalp I am giving this a try. I will keep you posted...... I hope it works because I look much younger and it is a bit weird to have grey hair.

I am a bit concerned about Black Strap Molasses because Arthritis and (AS), I have found, is caused by excess calcium. I could be wrong and would be happy to be corrected.

I had started taking 2 tablespoons of mollases today. I wanted to raise my iron blood levels. I took it with warm water and apple cider vingegar in the morning with an empty stomach. Now it's night and I'm having a terrible headache and feeling sleepy and dizzy. After that and reading all the side effects in other comments too, I'm not sure if I will continue consuming it. Probably not.

I got awful insomnia from blackstrap molasses. I think maybe I was taking too much. I put two tablespoons in my dandelion root tea (tastes like coffee! ) and I would sometimes do this twice s day. I am a vegetarian and my body is not used to that much iron. I want a way to incorporate it back into my diet, but I can't function without sleep.

After taking Blackstrap Molasses for a few weeks, my skin started to clear at a very deep level. I had Milia, small cysts that stay in the skin. These started to clear up miraculously after taking the Blackstrap Molasses. It's wonderful stuff!

After drinking a crude black molasses I'm feeling drowsy and I'm sleeping a lot. Any idea why?

I've been taking 2 tablespoons of molasses daily for the last 3 days and I've been noticing, hives/rashes on my forehead, legs and thighs, do people sometimes get this bad side effect? Thank you

I start taking blackstrap molasses yesterday evening - one tablespoon in one cup boiled water I took it last night and today first thing in the morning and some how I been feeling light headed all day today.

I have started to take a tablespoon of organic molasses neat each morning, I'm guessing this is ok- I don't mind the taste.

My monthly's haven't improved yet but I've only taken it for a month.

My face broke out in spots for a fortnight (when I have never had many before) but now my skin looks better.

I do get a funny feeling in my teeth and sometimes lightheaded. Is there a big difference in regular Blackstrap and organic Blackstrap? :)