The efficacy and function of kelp

I believe many people are familiar with the Chinese medicinal material kelp. As a common Chinese medicinal material, kelp is rich in nutrients. Let us learn about it in detail below.

【English name】 THALLUS LAMINARIAE/THALLUS ECKLONIAE

[Source] This product is the dried thallus of Laminaria japonica Aresch. of the Laminariaceae family or Ecklonia kurome Okam. of the Pterygium family . Harvested in summer and autumn and sun-dried.

[Properties] Kelp: curled and folded into balls, or tangled into bundles. The whole body is dark brown or green brown, with white frost on the surface. When softened with water, it expands into a flat long ribbon, 50 to 150 cm long and 10 to 40 cm wide, thicker in the middle and thinner and wavy at the edges. Leathery, with remaining stalk in oblate cylindrical shape. It has a fishy smell and a salty taste.

[Identification] (1) This product is thick and swells when soaked in water. It has a sticky surface with transparent mucus attached. The ones that do not separate into layers when twisted by hand are kelp, and the ones that separate into layers are kombu.

[Preparation] Remove impurities, rinse, let air dry, cut into wide strips, and dry in the sun.

【Nature and flavor】Salty, cold.

[entry into meridians] Enter the liver, stomach and kidney meridians.

【Functions and indications】 Softening and dispersing lumps, eliminating phlegm and promoting diuresis. Used for goiter, scrofula, swollen and painful testicles, and edema due to phlegm and fluid.

【Usage and Dosage】 6-12g.

【Storage】 Store in a dry place.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Pharmacopoeia

【Source】 Wu Pu's Materia Medica

Kelp is often used in the treatment of some diseases. It can be made into a compound prescription or used alone as needed. However, kelp should not be consumed blindly to avoid adverse effects on the body.