Sargassum is a genus of brown (class Phaeophyceae) macroalgae (seaweeds) in the order Fucales. It used to be used for alginate Extraction. Alginate, a derivative of alginic acid which is used commercially for toothpaste, soap, ice cream, canned meat, rags Print and other applications. It forms a stable viscous gel in water and its main function above applications is as a binder, stabilizer, emulsifier, or molding agent. Sargassum is also cultivated and cleaned for use as an herbal herbalists prescribe a powder of Sargassum - to be dissolved in warm water and drunk as a tea.