Kelp – 1 lb (454 g)

Kelp, known in Chinese as 昆布 (Kūnbù) and scientifically as Thallus Laminariae seu Eckloniae, is a valued herb in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This TCM herb has been traditionally used to support natural wellness, maintain vitality, and encourage holistic balance. At TCMforyou.com, we provide premium-quality Kelp carefully sourced to preserve its therapeutic properties.

As a herbal supplement, Kelp helps promote overall well-being and supports natural energy, immunity, and balance. Integrating this herb into your wellness routine offers a gentle, time-tested approach to enhancing daily health. Whether brewed as tea, added to herbal remedies, or taken as part of a TCM formula, Kelp provides a safe, natural way to experience the benefits of traditional Chinese medicine.

Trusted for centuries, Kelp has been used in TCM to harmonize the body and encourage optimal functioning of key systems. At TCMforyou, we prioritize authenticity and quality. Each batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure purity and potency, delivering an herbal product aligned with traditional practices.

Experience the natural support of Kelp, promoting immune health, vitality, and holistic well-being. Embrace the wisdom of TCM and incorporate this gentle, effective herbal remedy into your daily wellness journey.

[Overview] This herb is also known as kelp, sea kelp, sea kombu, and sea cabbage. It is the thallus of Laminaria japonica Aresch. of the Laminariaceae family and Ecklonia kurome Okam. of the Lessoniaceae family. It is mainly produced in Liaoning, Shandong, Zhejiang, and Fujian provinces. Harvested in summer and autumn by detaching the seed ropes from the hanging ropes, impurities are removed, then spread out and dried.

[Properties] Taste salty, nature cold. Enters the liver, stomach, and kidney meridians.

[Actions] Softens hardness and dissipates nodules, resolves phlegm and promotes diuresis.

[Applications]
1. Used for goiter, scrofula, and testicular swelling and pain, often combined with seaweed. For early-stage goiter, whether swelling or hardness without rupture, commonly used with seaweed, fritillaria, green tangerine peel, pinellia, etc., as in the formula Hai Zao Yu Hu Tang (Seaweed Jade Pot Decoction). For goiter due to liver heat, it can be combined with aloe, green tangerine peel, and clam powder, as in Qing Gan Lu Hui Wan (Clear Liver Aloe Pill). For long-standing goiter with qi and blood deficiency, it can be combined with ginseng, angelica, and cooked rehmannia, as in Huo Xue San Ying Tang (Activate Blood and Disperse Goiter Decoction). For scrofula, it is often combined with oyster shell, figwort, fritillaria, and prunella vulgaris; if accompanied by qi and blood deficiency, it can be combined with ginseng, angelica, and cyperus, as in Zhi Ke Ru Rong San Jian Tang (Stop Cough Nourish and Strengthen Decoction). For testicular swelling and pain, it is often combined with lychee seed, fennel, green tangerine peel, and processed agastache for asthma relief.
2. Used for food obstruction and plum-pit qi. For food obstruction with inability to eat or drink, it can be combined with lily and rice bran; for plum-pit qi, combined with pinellia, aged tangerine peel, and poria.
3. Used for beriberi and edema, often combined with plantain seed, areca peel, papaya, and stephania.

[Dosage and Administration] Internal use: decoction, 6–12 g; or incorporated into pills or powders.

[Cautions] Use with caution in cases of spleen and stomach deficiency cold.

[Modern Research]
1. Chemical constituents: Kombu contains alginic acid, kombu polysaccharides such as fucoidan and galactan, as well as amino acids including seaweed amino acid, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, proline; also contains mannitol, vitamins B1, B2, C, P, carotene, iodine, potassium, calcium, iron, and other inorganic salts.
2. Pharmacological effects: The iodine and iodides in kombu can treat thyroid hypofunction caused by iodine deficiency, correcting the vicious cycle caused by iodine deficiency, restoring normal thyroid function, and reducing goiter size. Kombu extracts have antihypertensive effects, with active components including seaweed amino acid. Kombu polysaccharides such as kombu polysaccharide, alginic acid, and seaweed amino acid reduce blood cholesterol, inhibit lipid accumulation, connective tissue proliferation, and experimental atherosclerosis. The brown alginate starch has significant hypoglycemic effects. Polysaccharide components show significant anticoagulant effects in vivo and in vitro, similar to heparin. Kombu extract can reduce blood viscosity and enhance both cellular and humoral immunity. Kombu hot water extracts and polysaccharides significantly inhibit mouse sarcoma S180. Sodium alginate antagonizes cyclophosphamide-induced leukopenia in mice and has certain radioprotective effects.
3. Clinical reports: 1) Constipation: Take 60 g kombu, soak in warm water and cook, then mix with a small amount of chopped scallion, ginger, salt, vinegar, and soy sauce; consume once daily. In 35 cases observed, 8 were cured and 24 improved. [Zhejiang Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1992, 27(9):398]
2) Retinal concussion: Use 2% kombu solution for iontophoresis once daily for 20 minutes each time, 10 treatments per course; combined with 1% kombu solution eye drops four times daily. In 48 cases (52 eyes), the effective rate was 92.2%, cure rate 71.1%. [Chinese Journal of Traditional Chinese Ophthalmology, 1992, 2(4):216]
3) Vitreous turbidity: Use 1% kombu solution as eye drops four times daily, and 2% kombu solution applied on gauze placed on eyelids for iontophoresis for 20 minutes each time. In 100 cases (140 eyes), 41 eyes cured, 72 improved, 24 ineffective; total effective rate 80.7%. [Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, 1990,(7):445]