New Zealand Green Lipped Mussel

Green Lipped Mussel Extract

Since 1970’s, it has been part of the culture of New Zealand to cultivate the green lipped mussels which has just grown into such a huge industry there. The mussel cultivation industry started with the European floating raft used as the one to which the mussels cling onto. This floating raft was a 700 year-old tradition already and was just used for small-scale kind of mussel cultivation. So, when New Zealand has decided to grow this green lipped mussel cultivation industry into a bigger one, the Japanese long-line shellfish aquaculture was adopted to cater to the larger scope of the industry.

With its scientific name Perna canaliculus, the green lipped mussel can be found mainly below the inter-tidal zone of New Zealand. These green shells, as what they are also being called, live on by eating phytoplankton.

In Australian waters, these mussels were considered as pests but in New Zealand, they are playing such important roles and have comprised a large amount in the growing mussel cultivation industry. These green shells have greatly helped and are still helping in the economical development of New Zealand. It has been one of the natural remedies for arthritis treatment.

The physical features of the green lipped mussel are that, they have dark brown or green shells and green lips or the edges of the shells. They only have one adductor muscle and are considered to be the biggest specie of all the mussels’ family.

The green lipped mussel, whose extract is now being widely used as cure to the painful joint disease arthritis. The green lipped mussel has a one of a kind blend of fatty acid which is believed to be great in the treatment for arthritis. The polysaccharide that it contains, the glycosaminoglycan, is the one which is instrumental in repairing or preventing joints damages. That’s how the mussels industry is helping the economy of New Zealand. The New Zealand Green Lipped Mussel Extract is very much helpful in joints pain and arthritis healings.