Seaweed
(Haizao)
Pharmaceutical Name : Sargassum
Botanical Name: 1. Sargassum pallidum (Turn.)
G. Ag.; 2. Sargassum fusiforme (Harv.) Setch.
Common Name : Sargassum, seaweed
Source of Earliest Record : Shennong Bencao
Jing
Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical
Preparations : Entire plant. It is collected
in summer, cleaned, cut into pieces and dried
in the shade.
Properties & Taste : Salty and cold
Meridians: Liver, stomach and kidney
Functions:
1. To resolve phlegm and soften hardness;
2. To promote water metabolism
Indications & Combinations:
1. Goiter. Seaweed (Haizao) is used with
Laminaria (Kunbu) in the formula Haizao Yuhu
Tang.
2. Scrofula. Seaweed (Haizao) is used with
Prunella spike (Xiakucao), Scrophularia (Xuanshen)
and Tendrilled fritillary bulb (Chuanbeimu)
in the formula Neixiao Lei Li Wan.
3. Edema of the foot or general edema. Seaweed
(Haizao) is used with Poria (Fuling) and Alismatis
rhizome (Zexie).
Dosage: 10-15 g
Cautions & Contraindications:
This herb should not be combined with Licorice
root (Gancao), as they counteract each other. |
