kun bu

Name: kun bu
Creator: Bencao Index

昆布·Thallus Eckloniae

Kelp

About kun bu

Kun Bu (昆布) is kelp, recorded as Thallus Laminariae. It is salty in flavour and cold in temperature, entering the Liver, Kidney and Stomach channels. The catalogue files it among the substances that cool and transform Phlegm-Heat.

Names

Pinyin	kun bu
Chinese	昆布
Latin Name	Thallus Eckloniae·Thallus Laminariae·Thallus Laminariae; Thallus Eckloniae
English Name	Kelp·kelp; sea tangle·sea tangle
Japanese	konbu
Korean	konpo

Classification

Category: Cool & Transform Phlegm Heat
Channels: Stomach, Kidney, Liver
Flavour: Salty
Temperature: Cold
Family: alariaceae
Species: Ecklonia kurome
Tags: Chinese Herbs, Common

Actions and indications

Resolves Phlegm and softens hardness

Phlegm nodules of the neck, such as scrofula and goiter, with fullness and a blocked feeling in the chest
Thyroid tumours, tuberculosis, orchitis, lymphadenitis and cirrhosis, combined with Blood-moving herbs
Difficulty swallowing
Palpable abdominal masses, an enlarged liver and spleen, and a painful swollen scrotum

Promotes urination, clears Heat and reduces swelling

Edema, fistula and Leg Qi, as a supporting herb
Difficult urination; the effect is mild, and it is rarely chosen for water problems alone

Combinations

hai zao
Goiter and scrofula. Hyperthyroidism calls for a short course at higher doses; hypothyroidism for a long course at ordinary doses
hai zao + xia ku cao + zhe bei mu + xuan shen + ge qiao
Nodules including scrofula and goiter
bie jia + mu li + xiang fu + hong hua + chuan shan jia + san leng + e jiao
Palpable masses in the abdomen, enlarged spleen and enlarged liver

Dosage

Age	Raw	Granule	Tincture	Concentrate	Frequency
Any 3-15g; Tincture: 0.5-2ml	3-15 g	—	0.5-2 ml	—	—

Cautions

contraindication Deficiency Cold of the Spleen and Stomach; this cold, salty, draining sea plant can burden a weak or Cold digestion
caution Cold Phlegm
caution Only where there is an Excess pathogenic clumping
caution Taken over a long period it causes weight loss
caution Thyroid disease or thyroid medication: kelp carries a heavy natural iodine load, and eating kombu daily for about a week raised TSH in healthy adults, sometimes above normal; use only under qualified supervision
caution Kelp can accumulate arsenic and other heavy metals, with some samples above international limits; use tested material
pregnancy Pregnancy: use under professional supervision because of the iodine content
lactation Breastfeeding: use under professional supervision because of the iodine content

Interactions

Drug interactions

Insulin and oral antidiabetics (sulfonylureas such as tolbutamide, glipizide and glyburide): the effects may reinforce each other; combine with care
Levothyroxine, antithyroid drugs and radioactive iodine treatment: its iodine can shift thyroid function tests, so combine only under professional oversight

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