Properties: Salty, cold

Meridans Entered:
Primary: Liver, Stomach and Kidney
Extraordinary Vessels: Yin Qiao

1. Reduces Phlegm and softens areas of hardness
   Phlegm nodules in the neck such as: tumors, scrofula and goiter
   Abdominal mass, carbuncle
   Bulging disorders, especially those involving the scrotum and testes
2. Promotes urination and reduces oedema
   Edema due to leg Qi or floating oedema

Suggested Daily Dosage: 10-15g in decoction.

Cautions: Contradicated to Gan Cao.

Rose et al (2007) found Japanese Hikiji (Sargassum fusiforme) contained high levels of inorganic arsenic associated with liver cancer which led the UK Food Standards Agency to warn against its consumption. Occasional consumption is unlikely to pose a health risk but it should be avoided for long term use, especially at high doses (above 4.7g per day according to Japanese authorities). Other forms of seaweed did not pose the same risk.

• Iodine
  Element used as a disinfectant and has an important nutritional function in thyroid function whose deficiency can lead to goiters and growth issues in children.
• Alginate
  Polysaccharide found in brown seaweeds whose sodium salt is the main active ingredient in antacids and used as an emulsifier, thickener, and stabiliser in food and cosmetic industries. Calcium alginate is used in wound dressing to promote healing.
• Fucoidan
  Long chain sulfated polysaccharide with a range of biological activities including anti-cancer, anti-coagulant, anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and anti-viral.