Kun Bu - 昆布 - Thallus Eckloniae - Kelp

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

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 6-15g (Secondary source)

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

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. Certain sources state that this herb clears Heat.
2. To resolve hard masses, Ecklonia Kun Bu is frequently paired with Sargassum Hai Zao, another seaweed.
3. It inhibits cancer cells and is described as invaluable in cancer treatment.
4. It inhibits the growth hormone of tumors.
5. It ranks among the best herbs for lymphatic swellings, particularly when combined with Hai Zao.
6. Its usual use is for accumulated Dampness or Phlegm.
7. Its bitterness softens hard masses, while its Coldness clears Heat and disperses lumps. It is therefore indicated for the twelve types of edema, goiter and fistula.
8. It is more potent than Hai Zao, and long-term use cures dysphagia.
9. For various cancers, decoct 40g of this herb together with 1000g wheat and take orally several times a day.
10. According to one source, masses and goiters that are as hard as rock can be treated only with this herb.
11. Kun Bu and Sargassum Hai Zao have similar properties and actions. Hai Zao is bitter in addition to salty and cold. Its flavor is turbid, its cooling action is weaker than that of Kun Bu, and its therapeutic effects are milder.
12. One source states that Kun Bu is stronger than Hai Zao and that taking it long-term cures dysphagia.
13. Thallus Laminariae Hai Dai shares the properties and functions of Kun Bu and can be substituted for it, though it is used less often. Its dosage is 6-15g.