Hai Zao (海藻) is sargassum, a brown seaweed, recorded under that name in the pharmaceutical Latin. It is bitter and salty in flavour and cold in temperature, entering the Kidney, Liver, Lung and Stomach channels. The catalogue files it among the substances that cool and transform Phlegm-Heat.

Pinyin

hai zao

Chinese

海藻

Latin Name

Sargassum

English Name

Sargassum·seaweed; sargassum·seaweed

Japanese

kaiso

Korean

haejo

Actions and indications

Transforms Phlegm, softens hardness and dissipates nodules

Phlegm nodules of the neck such as goiter, scrofula and tumors
Swellings of the neck and lymph nodes, typically with Kun Bu and other herbs that resolve Phlegm and soften hardness
Abdominal masses and carbuncles
Bulging disorders, above all of the scrotum and testes

Promotes urination and reduces edema

Floating edema, or edema from leg Qi
Orchitis

Combinations

kun bu + zhe bei mu + chen pi + qing pi

Goiter.

xia ku cao + lian qiao + xuan shen

Scrofula.

jiang can + xia ku cao + xuan shen

Scrofula and goiter.

gan cao

Goiter and scrofula.

water chestnut

Silicosis with profuse sputum and Yin Deficiency

kun bu

Scrofula and goiter; for hyperthyroidism, a short course at large doses; for hypothyroidism, a long course at ordinary doses

Age

Raw

Granule

Tincture

Concentrate

Frequency

Any 6-16g; Tincture: 2-4ml

6-16 g

—

2-4 ml

—

Cautions

contraindication Deficiency Cold or Qi deficiency of the Spleen and Stomach, which a cold, salty seaweed burdens

caution Only for clumping of an Excess pathogen

caution Taken over a long period it causes weight loss

caution Very high in iodine: with any known thyroid condition, use only with great care under supervision

Interactions

Incompatible with

gan cao Listed with Gan Cao (licorice) among the Eighteen Incompatibles, although the pair is sometimes used together

Drug interactions

Thyroid hormone replacement and antithyroid drugs: both are sensitive to iodine, which this seaweed concentrates, so monitor (reasoned from iodine content, not studied)

hai zao

About hai zao

Names

Classification

Actions and indications

Transforms Phlegm, softens hardness and dissipates nodules

Promotes urination and reduces edema

Combinations

Dosage

Cautions

Interactions

Incompatible with

Drug interactions

About hai zao

Names

Classification

Actions and indications

Transforms Phlegm, softens hardness and dissipates nodules

Promotes urination and reduces edema

Combinations

Dosage

Cautions

Interactions

Incompatible with

Drug interactions

Related

Used in 2 formulas