INDIVIDUAL HERBS

NAME: KUN BU - 昆布 - THALLUS ECKLONIAE - KELP

Pharmaceutical Latin: Thallus Eckloniae
Thallus Algae
Common English: Kelp
Laminaria
Ecklonia
Japanese Sea Tangle

CATEGORY

Herbs that Transform Phlegm and Stop Coughing: Herbs that Cool and Transform Phlegm-Heat

PROPERTIES

Taste Temperature Entering Meridians Dosage
Salty
Cold
Kidney
Liver
Stomach
3-15g
Tincture: 0.5-2ml

ACTIONS AND INDICATIONS

Actions Indications/Syndromes

Resolves Phlegm and softens Phlegm nodules (areas of hardness)

Phlegm Nodules in the neck (scrofula, goiter, sensation of fullness and obstruction in the chest)

Thyroid tumors, tuberculosis, orchitis, lymphadenitis, cirrhosis – with Blood movers

Dysphagia

Promotes urination, clears Heat and reduces swelling

Adjunct for edema, fistula and Leg Qi

CONTRAINDICATIONS, INCOMPATIBILITIES AND HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS

CONTRAINDICATIONS
  • Contraindicated for those with Spleen and Stomach Deficiency Cold.
  • Use with caution for those with Cold Phlegm.
  • Use only with Excess pathogenic clumping.
  • Long-term consumption makes people thin.
INCOMPATIBILITIES
HERB/DRUG INTERACTIONS
  • Use with caution with anti-diabetic medications such as insulin, sulfonylureas, tolbutamide (Orinase), glipizide (Glucotrol) and glyburide (DiaBeta/Micronase) as the combination may have a synergistic effect.

MAJOR COMBINATIONS

Sargassum
Hai Zao

Sargassum
Hai Zao
Sp. Prunellae
Xia Ku Cao
 Bul Fritillariae
Zhe Bei Mu
Rx. Scrophulariae
Xuan Shen
Concha Meretricis/Cyclinae
Ge Qiao

Carapax Trionycis
Bie Jia
Concha Ostreae
Mu Li
Rz. Cyperi
Xiang Fu
Flos Carthami
Hong Hua
Squama Manitis
Chuan Shan Jia
Rz. Sparganii
San Leng
Rz. Curcumae
E Jiao

Goiter and scrofula.

For hyperthyroidism, use large doses for a short time.

For hypothyroidism use normal doses for a long period of time.

Scrofula, goiter and other nodules.

Palpable abdominal masses, splenomegaly and hepatomegaly.

NOTES

  1. Some sources say that this herb clears Heat.
  2. Ecklonia Kun Bu is often combined with Sargassum Hai Zao another seaweed, for resolving hard masses.
  3. It has an inhibitory effect on cancer cells and is said ti be invaluable in the treatment of cancer.
  4. It inhibits the growth hormone of tumors.
  5. It is one of the best herbs for treating lymphatic swellings, especially with Hai Zao.
  6. It is usually used for accumulation of Dampness or Phlegm.
  7. Its bitterness softens hard masses and its Coldness clears Heat and disperses lumps. Hence, it is indicated for the twelve types of edema, goiter and fistula.
  8. It is stronger than Hai Zao and long-term use cures dysphagia.
  9. For various cancers, decoct 40g of this herb with 1000g wheat for oral administration several times a day.
  10. One source says that masses and goiters as hard as a rock can only be treated with this herb.
  11. Both Kun Bu and Sargassum Hai Zao are similar in properties and actions. Hai Zao is bitter as well as salty and cold. Its flavor is turbid and its cooling action is less than Kun Bu and its therapeutic actions are milder.
  12. One source says that Kun Bu is stronger than Hai Zao and long-term administration cure dysphagia.
  13. Thallus Laminariae Hai Dai has the same properties and functions as Kun Bu and is used interchangeably, but less commonly. Its dosage is 6-15g.