Fucus, Kelp, Kun Bu 昆布

Bladderwrack
Kun Bu (TCM)
Picture Picture
Fucus spp.
Notes on Pharmacognosy, Otto Augustus Wall, 1902

 Fucus nodosa
English Botany, Sowerby, 1799
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Botanical name:


Fucus spp;
F. vesiculosis, F. serratus, F. nodosus

Parts used:


Thallus (whole plant); Carbonised Plant

Temperature & Taste:


Cold, dry. Salty

Classification:


P. Clears Hot Phlegm

Uses:


1. Clears Phlegm, Reduces Nodes and Masses: (TCM, West)
-Goiter, Scrofula, Lymphatic swellings, and other phlegm Tumors
-traditionally for the ‘12 kinds of Edema, Goiter and Fistula’; ‘Goiter as hard as a rock can only be cured with this herb’ (TCM).
-charcoal obtained from Kelp was used in 1750 by Dr. Russel for these purposes and was called ‘Vegetable Ethiops’.

2. Promotes Urine, Clears Damp: (TCM, West)
-Edema, Fluid retention
-remedy for Obesity and in diet drinks
-‘The best remedy for Obesity’ but is usually only effective if the Thyroid is involved. (Ellingwood)

3. Benefits the Kidneys: (West)
-Impotence, Infertility (auxiliary medicine)
-Kidney disorders, bladder weakness, Prostatitis, Desquamative Nephritis
-irritation and inflammation of the Bladder.

4. Benefits the Heart:
-Hypertension, High Cholesterol, Heart Disease and fatty Degeneration of the Heart

5. Nutritive Tonic:
-rich in Minerals and Trace Minerals

6. Clears Heat and Toxin:
-acute Sore Throat.
-Psoriasis and Rheumatic pains (expressed juice, concentrated decoction or dried Extract)
-helps remove Heavy Metals and Radioactive Toxins from the body.

7. Externally:
-a wash of the decoction is used for Strains, Sprains and Bruising.
-the mucilage from the swollen vesicles is an old folk remedy applied to Rheumatism, Bruises, Sprains and ‘weak feet’. (It may be boiled down to a lotion or added to a salt-water bath)
-the mucilage is applied to Glandular Swellings.
–‘Corrosive ulcers and all kinds of gatherings are treated with sea-weed, used before it has dried’ (Pliny)


Dose:


Powder: 2–5 grams

Substitute:


… available in PRO version
Picture

Main Combinations:


1. Scrofula and Neck Swellings:
i. Kelp with … available in PRO version
ii. Kelp with … available in PRO version
iii. Kelp with … available in PRO version
2. Goiter:
i.… available in PRO version
ii. Kelp, … available in PRO version
3. Rheumatoid Arthritis, Kelp has been … available in PRO version
4. Obesity:
i. Kelp with … available in PRO version
ii. Kelp with … available in PRO version
iii. Kelp with … available in PRO version
iv. Kelp with … available in PRO version
v. Kelp with … available in PRO version
5. Fluid Retention, Kelp with … available in PRO version
6. Prostatitis, Kelp with … available in PRO version
7. Hyperthyroidism:
i. Kelp with … available in PRO version
ii. Kelp with … available in PRO version
iii. Kelp with … available in PRO version

Major Formulas:


Decoction of Self Heal and Kelp

Cautions:


1. Use cautiously during pregnancy
2. When treating Thyroid conditions, watch for aggravation when treatment is initiated. It is not suitable in all cases.

Toxicity


1. Iodine-Induced Thyrotoxicosis After Ingestion of Kelp-Containing Tea

Main Preparations used:


Extract of Kelp, Carbonised plant or ashes