Pinyin: Haizao
Aliases
Haizaocai, Wucai, Haidaihua.
Source
Sargassaceae plant *Sargassum pallidum* (Turn.) C. Ag.Sargassum pallidum(Turn.) C. Ag.'s dried thallus.
Botanical Description
Algae body yellow-brown, 30-100 cm high, initially with 1-2 erect main stems, cylindrical, gradually elongating, with pinnate branches on both sides emerging at obtuse or right angles, with small branches growing in the axils between branches, young branches and young main stems bearing short, spiny protrusions. Leaf shape highly variable: primary leaves lanceolate, oblanceolate, or obovate, generally 5-9 cm long, 3-18 mm wide, with indistinct midrib-like protrusions and distinct sterile spot markings, but these leaves shed soon after growth; secondary leaves linear, oblanceolate, obovate, or pinnately divided; small branches emerge from the leaf axils of secondary leaves, bearing numerous narrow lanceolate or linear leaves.
Habitat and Distribution
Growing in rock pools of the low tide zone and on rocks 1-4 m below the large dry tide line. Distributed along the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea coasts of Liaoning and Shandong in China.
Harvesting and Processing
Harvested in summer and autumn, remove impurities, wash clean, and dry in the sun.
Medicinal Properties
Shrunken and curled, blackish-brown, some covered with white frost, 30-60 cm long. The main stem is cylindrical with conical protrusions, and main branches emerge from both sides of the main stem. Lateral branches arise from the leaf axils of the main branches, bearing short, spiny protrusions. Primary leaves are lanceolate or obovate, 5-7 cm long, about 1 cm wide, entire or coarsely serrated; secondary leaves are linear or lanceolate; small branches with linear leaves arise from the leaf axils. Air bladders are blackish-brown, spherical or ovoid, some with stalks, bluntly rounded at the apex, some with fine short tips. Texture is brittle, soft when moist; after soaking in water, it swells, becomes fleshy and sticky. Odor: fishy; Taste: slightly salty.
Chemical Constituents
This product mainly contains fructose, fucose, laminarin (also known as kelp starch), and sargassum polysaccharide among other components.
Pharmacology
Has significant antihypertensive effects; exhibits heparin-like anticoagulant activity; has lipid-lowering effects, significantly reducing serum cholesterol levels and alleviating atherosclerosis; enhances immune function, and also possesses antitumor and anti-infection effects.
Properties and Channel Entry
Bitter, salty, and cold. Enters the Liver, Stomach, and Kidney channels.
Functions and Indications
Dissolves phlegm, softens hardness, and dissipates nodules; promotes urination to reduce edema. Used for goiter, scrofula, swollen testicles, and edema due to phlegm-fluid retention.
Dosage and Administration
Oral: decoct in water, 5-15 g; or made into pills or powder. External use: appropriate amount, grind into powder for application or mash for topical application.
Precautions and Contraindications
Contraindicated in patients with Spleen and Stomach deficiency-cold. Incompatible with Gancao (Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Licorice).
Prescriptions
1. For goiter and tumors: Haizao (Sargassum, washed to remove salt) 240 g, Beimu (Fritillaria) 60 g, Tuguagen (Trichosanthes root) 0.6 g, Xiaomaimian (wheat flour, stir-fried) 0.6 g. Grind the above four ingredients into a powder. Take one square-inch spoonful with wine, three times daily. (From Waitai, Cui's Haizao Powder) 2. For fleshy goiter and stony goiter: Haizao (Sargassum), Beimu (Fritillaria), Chenpi (Tangerine peel), Kunbu (Kelp), Qingpi (Green tangerine peel), Chuanxiong (Ligusticum), Danggui (Angelica sinensis), Banxia (Pinellia), Lianqiao (Forsythia), Duhuo (Angelica pubescens), Gancao (Licorice) 3 g each, Haidai (Ecklonia) 1.5 g. Decoct in water and take orally. (From Waike Zhengzong, Haizao Yuhu Decoction) 3. For liver channel goiter and tumors: Haizao (Sargassum), Kunbu (Kelp) 60 g each, Xiaomai (wheat) 120 g (vinegar-boiled and stir-fried dry), Longdancao (Gentiana) 60 g. Grind the above into powder. Make pills with refined honey, the size of parasol tree seeds. Take 20-30 pills at bedtime with plain boiled water, and let them dissolve slowly in the mouth before swallowing. (From Zhengzhi Zhunsheng, Haizao Ruanjian Pills) 4. For hernia: Haizao (Sargassum), Kunbu (Kelp) 15 g each, Xiaohuixiang (Fennel) 30 g. Decoct in water and take orally. (From Zhongguo Yaoyong Haiyang Shengwu) 5. For nephritis with proteinuria: Haizao (Sargassum), Chanyi (Cicada slough), Kunbu (Kelp) in appropriate amounts. Decoct in water and take orally. (From Zhejiang Yaoyong Zhiwu Zhi) 6. For excess flesh growths on the body: Grind Haizao (Sargassum) into powder and apply topically, while also decocting Haizao in wine and taking it orally to remove the growth. (From Puji Fang)
