海藻
Naming
Hai Zao (Sargassum)——Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (Shen Nong’s Herbal)
Origin
The dry algae of plant Sargassum pallidum (Turn.) C. Ag. or S. fusiforme. (Harv.) Setch. of family Sargassaceae.
Location
Littoral areas in China.
Harvest
Collected in summer and autumn.
The actual smell and taste
Fishy smell, lightly salty taste.
Best quality
Dry, black and brown, less salt efflorescence, tender twig, without sand.
Processing
Unprocessed.
Property
Salty, cold; liver, stomach and kidney meridians entered.
Actions
Dissolve phlegm and soften hardness, induce diuresis and alleviate edema.
Indications
A. Scrofula, goiter, swollen and painful testis
This herb can remove phlegm, soften hardness and dissipate nodulation mainly indicated for scrofula, goiter, swollen arid painful testis resulted from phlegm and qi accumulation together and congealing transforming into mass. For scrofula and goiter, it is usually combined with other hardness-softening and phlegm-resolving herbs. For instance it is combined with Kun Bu and Bei Mu in Hai Zao Yu Hu Tang from Yi Zong Jin Jian. For swollen, distending and painful testis caused by phlegm congealing and qi stagnation, it is combined with liver-soothing, qi-regulating and phlegm-resolving herbs. For instance it is combined with Ju He, Kun Bu and Chuan Lian Zi in Ju He Wan from Ji Sheng Fang.
B. Edema, downward flow of damp turbidity to the foot
This herb has the action of inducing diuresis and resolving swelling but the action is not strong enough. It is usually combined with diuresis-inducing and damp-draining herbs to enhance the action such as Fu Ling, Zhu Ling and Ze Xie, etc.
Dosage and Administrations
Decoct 10~15 g. Proper dose in wine, or pill and powder.
Cautions
Contradicated to Gan Cao.