Sargassum
Aliases：Luò Shǒu (Falling Head), Hǎi Luó (Sea Snail), Guàn (Jar), Hǎi Zǎo Cài (Seaweed Vegetable), Wū Cài (Black Vegetable), Dà Yè Hǎi Zǎo (Large-leaf Sargassum), Xiǎo Yè Hǎi Zǎo (Small-leaf Sargassum), Hǎi Dài Huā (Kelp Flower), Dà Yè Zǎo (Large-leaf Alga), Dà Hāo Zǐ (Large Artemisia Seed), Hǎi Gēn Cài (Sea Root Vegetable), Hǎi Cǎo (Sea Grass), Yù Qiàn (Jade茜草), Yù Cǎo (Jade Grass), Yù Hǎi Cǎo (Jade Sea Grass), Yù Méi Cǎo (Jade Plum Grass), Yào Chá (Medicinal Tea), Yáng Qī Cài (Sheep Inhabiting Vegetable), Hǎi Hāo Zǐ (Sea Artemisia Seed), Dàn Hǎi Zǎo (Light Sargassum), Sān Jiǎo Zǎo (Triangular Alga), Dēng Lóng Zǎo (Lantern Alga), Hú Xū Pào (Beard Bubble), Lù Wěi Cài (Deer Tail Vegetable), Tán (Moss), Hǎi Qiàn (Sea茜草), Hǎi Cài Yá (Sea Vegetable Sprout), Hǎi Dà Mài (Sea Barley), Dà Gǔ Suì (Large Grain Ear), Diào Gǔn Cài (Fishing Roll Vegetable), Dēng Lóng Cài (Lantern Vegetable), Liù Jiǎo Cài (Six-angle Vegetable), Yāng Cài (Seedling Vegetable), Qiàn Mǐ (茜草 Rice), Guī Yú Qiàn (Turtle Fish茜草), Lù Jiǎo Jiān (Deer Horn Tip), Yáng Jiǎo Zǐ (Goat Horn Seed), Yáng Nǎi Zǐ (Goat Milk Seed), Hǎi Cài (Sea Vegetable), Shén Mǎ Cǎo (Divine Horse Grass), Hǎi Tāng Cǎo (Sea Soup Grass).
Hǎi Zǎo (Sargassum) is a commonly used medicinal herb for clearing heat and resolving phlegm. It is the dried thallus of Sargassum pallidum (Turn.) C.Ag. or Sargassum fusiforme (Harv.) Setch., plants belonging to the family Sargassaceae. The former is commonly known as “Dà Yè Hǎi Zǎo” (Large-leaf Sargassum), and the latter as “Xiǎo Yè Hǎi Zǎo” (Small-leaf Sargassum).
Efficacy & Actions
Resolves phlegm, softens hardness, disperses nodules, promotes diuresis, and reduces edema.
Indications
Indicated for goiter (thyroid enlargement), scrofula (tuberculous lymphadenitis), testicular pain and swelling, and phlegm-fluid edema. It may also be used for scrofula and goiter due to phlegm-fire aggregation, as well as testicular pain caused by phlegm stagnation and Qi constraint. Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) records that it “treats goiter Qi, lumps below the neck, disperses bound Qi, carbuncles, abdominal masses, and firm Qi, rumbling in the abdomen, and drains edema from the twelve viscera.”
Modern Pharmacology
Anti-goiter effects: The iodine compounds contained in Sargassum can prevent and correct iodine deficiency-induced endemic hypothyroidism, and can inhibit hyperthyroidism and elevated basal metabolic rate. Antitumor effects: Exhibits antitumor activity. Immunoenhancing effects: Sargassum polysaccharides exhibit immunomodulatory activity. Anticoagulant and microcirculation-improving effects: The extract propylene glycol alginate sodium sulfate (PPS) has anticoagulant effects, reduces blood viscosity, and improves microcirculation. Anti-Helicobacter pylori effects: Sargassum polysaccharides have anti-Helicobacter pylori effects. Anti-inflammatory effects: Oligosaccharides derived from Sargassum exhibit anti-inflammatory activity. Antihypertensive and lipid-lowering effects: Active substances in Sargassum have antihypertensive and anti-obesity effects. Antimicrobial effects: Exhibits antimicrobial activity.
Ingredients
Sargassum mainly contains polysaccharide components, such as Sargassum fusiforme polysaccharides A, B, and C, and Sargassum pallidum polysaccharides. Sargassum pallidum contains 19.0% alginic acid, 9.69% crude protein, 9.07% mannitol, 30.65% ash, 5.99% potassium, and 0.017% iodine. It also contains Sargassum polysaccharides composed of D-galactose, D-mannose, D-xylose, L-fucose, D-glucuronic acid, and peptides. In addition, it contains various vitamins, amino acids, and inorganic elements.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 6–12 g; or 6–15 g. May also be made into pills or powders. For external use: apply an appropriate amount, ground into powder and applied topically, or crushed and applied.
Contraindications
Should not be used with Licorice (Gān Cǎo)—this is one of the “Eighteen Incompatibilities” in traditional Chinese medicine. Contraindicated in patients with Spleen-Stomach deficiency cold—as Sargassum is cold in nature. Not suitable for patients with hyperthyroidism—as Sargassum is rich in iodine and may worsen the condition. Not suitable for overuse during pregnancy and breastfeeding—the iodine contained in Sargassum can enter the fetal/infant circulation through the blood and cause thyroid dysfunction. Should not be used with isoniazid.
Selected Formulas
For scrofula under the jaw like plum or plum seeds (Zhouhou Beiji Fang) Take 1 jin of Haizao (Sargassum) and 2 sheng of wine. Soak for several days, then drink gradually. For sudden nodules under the neck that gradually enlarge and may become goiter (Zhouhou Beiji Fang) Take equal parts of Kunbu (Kelp) and Haizao. Grind into powder, mix with honey to make pills the size of apricot kernels. Hold in the mouth and swallow the juice slowly, 4–5 times daily. For snake-like scrofula (empirical formula) Take equal parts of sea mustard (stir-fried with buckwheat flour) and Baijiangcan (stir-fried white stiff silkworm). Grind into powder and take with rice water. For goiter (Waike Zhengzong, Haizao Yuhu Tang) Take Haizao together with Kunbu, Beimu (Fritillaria), Chenpi (Tangerine peel), Qingpi (Green tangerine peel), Chuanxiong (Ligusticum), Danggui (Angelica), Banxia (Pinellia), Lianqiao (Forsythia), Gancao (Licorice), and Duhuo (Angelica pubescens). Decoct in water and drink. For goiter (Yangyi Daquan, Sihai Shuyu Wan) Take Haizao with Kunbu, Haidai (Kelp), Haipiaoxiao (Cuttlefish bone), Haige (Clam shell), and Qingmuxiang (Aristolochia root). Make into pills and take. For scrofula (empirical formula, Neixiao Luoli Wan) Take Haizao with Xiakucao (Prunella spike), Zhebeimu (Fritillaria thunbergii), Xuanshen (Scrophularia), and Muli (Oyster shell). Make into pills and take.
Daily Consumption
Sargassum Tea: Take 60 g of Sargassum and an appropriate amount of rock sugar, steep in water, and drink as a tea. Sargassum and Kelp Soup: Take 30–40 g each of Sargassum and Kelp (Kūn Bù), decoct in water for 30 minutes, season to taste, and consume. Kelp, Sargassum, and Soybean Stew: Take 30 g of Kelp, an appropriate amount of Sargassum, and 100 g of soybeans. Simmer over low heat until the soybeans are soft and thoroughly cooked, season to taste, and serve. Sargassum Wine: Take 250 g of Sargassum, cut into sections, and steep in 500 g of white wine for several days. Drink a small amount 3–5 times daily. Additional recipes include: Sargassum Mung Bean Congee, Sargassum Lean Meat Soup, and Sargassum Pork and Prunella Soup.
Medicinal Parts
Dried thallus (whole alga).
Selection & Storage
Store in a dry container in a ventilated, dry place. This product should be protected from moisture and insects, and stored in a dry place.
