Ulva, Sea Lungwort

Oyster Green, Green Laver, Iceland Sea-Grass, Lichen Marinus
Shi Chuan (Lettuce-leaf Ulva, TCM)

Ortus Sanitatis, Meydenbach, 1491

The Herbal Or General Historie of Plantes, Gerard, 1597

Botanical name:

Ulva spp.
1. U. latissima, Sea Lungwort
2. U. lactuca, Lettuce-leaf Ulva
3. U. conglobata and U. pertusa are also used similarly in TCM.

Parts used:

Whole herb, washed and dried.

Temperature & Taste:

Cold, dry. Salty

Uses:

1. Clears H0t-Phlegm, Stops Cough: (TCM, West)
-Heat-type Cough, Inflammation of the Lungs, Asthma, Pneumonia
-Lung ulcers
-Scrofula, Lymphatic Swellings, Goiter (TCM, West)
-regarded as strengthening to the Lungs

2. Clears Heat, Resolves Toxin:
-acute Sore Throat, Laryngitis
-Sores, Boils

3. Clears Heat, Stops Leakage and Bleeding: (TCM, West)
-Diarrhea, Dysentery, including that with Blood
-acute and chronic Enteritis (TCM)
-Heat-type Bleeding, especially Uterine Bleeding
-also for Vomiting from excess Heat

4. Promotes Urine, Benefits the Kidneys:
-Edema (TCM)
-lower back pain

5. Externally:
-applied to fresh Wounds
-applied to Ulcers of the Genitals
-applied to relieve Headache
-applied to Gout and Inflammations

Dose:

Powder: 1–3 grams
Decoction: 3–6 grams

Comment:

1. Used similarly to Kelp and other Sea weeds. Ulva is regarded as strengthening to the Lungs and Kidneys however.

Substitute:

Ulva species are substitutes for Kelp in TCM. (Bensky) Kelp may be used similarly.

Main Combinations:

1. Lower Back Pain, Sea Lungwort cook with Eggs (Gerard)
2. Scrofula:
i. Sea Lungwort is cooked and eaten with Lemon juice.
ii. Sea Lungwort with Self Heal

Major Formulas:

Cautions:

Not suitable for Cold and Weak Stomach.