Sargassum siliquastrum, S. pallidum, S. fusiforme  海 藻 Hǎi zǎo   Seaweed Family: Sargassaceae    
PART USED: Thaline- collected in Summer and Autumn
Nature: Cold   FLAVOR: Bitter, salty   CHANNEL: Liver, Stomach, Lung, Spleen, Kidney.
FUNCTIONS
GROUP: Transform Phlegm and Stop Coughing- Transform Phlegm-Heat
1. Clears Heat and reduces phlegm nodules.[5] Eliminate hard stasis of phlegm. Disperse coagulation. Resolves phlegm and relieves congestion.[1]
2. Promote urination to reduce edema.[1,5] Pain associated with hernial disorders.[5]
3. Reduce blood pressure. Sedate Heat. Clears fevers.[1]
INDICATIONS
1. Lymph/Thyroid lumps,[5] and Local swelling of the thyroid gland. For subcutaneous nodule, goitre tumour.[5] Swelling and pain of testes. Scrofula.[1,5] Lymphatic tuberculosis.
2. Edema. Beriberi, edema and hypertension. An adjunctive herb for edema due to leg qi or floating edema.[5]
3. General lumps Abdominal lumps. Tumours, cysts.[1] Congestion and hydrocele.[1]
CONTRAINDICATIONS: Empty and  Cold Stomach/Spleen, presence of Dampness. Spleen or Stomach deficiency. According to some traditional sources this herb is incompatable with Glycyrrhiza uralensis- Gan cao.[5]
PATENT COMBINATIONS
COMBINATIONS
COMPARISONS
Types of seaweed used in chinese herbs
Saccharina- Laminaria (kelp), a brown algae Kun bu
Sargassum, a brown algae, as the source of Hai zao
Porphyra, a red algae, as the source of  Zi cai
According to Chinese medicine, seaweeds have a salty taste that is an indication that the material can disperse phlegm accumulation, particularly as it forms soft masses, include goitre, the thyroid swelling that indicates severe iodine deficiency.
Comparison of Hai zao and Kun bu:
Differences: Haizao is stronger in transforming phlegm and dissipating nodules, and it is more suitable for treating goiter and scrofula. Kunbu is stronger in softening hardness and reducing congealed blood; it is more suitable for treating liver-spleen enlargement, liver cirrhosis, and tumors.
Similarities
Haizao and Kunbu are salty and cold, and enter the liver, lung, and kidney meridians. Both can clear heat, transform phlegm, soften hardness, and dissipate nodules. They can also promote urination and reduce edema. In clinical practice, they are often used together to treat nodules such as goiter and scrofula.[5]
PREPARATIONS: Decoction  Dry plant 9-15 g.[2,4]  Boil or immersed in wine.[2] 4-9 g.[1] 4-15 g.[5] Best quality is dry, black and brown, less salt efflorescence, tender twig, without sand.

References
Inner Path can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Constituents.
Research

Evaluation of antioxidative activity of extracts from a brown seaweed, Sargassum siliquastrum.
Lim SN, Cheung PC, Ooi VE, Ang PO.
Abstract
Antioxidative activities of the extracts from Sargassum siliquastrum were determined using the inhibition of red blood cell (RBC) hemolysis induced by 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) radicals, suppression of lipid peroxidation using rat brain homogenate, and scavenging activity of superoxide radicals. The dichloromethane fraction isolated from the methanol crude extract by differential solvent extractions exhibited the strongest antioxidant activity in both RBC hemolysis and lipid peroxidation assays. This fraction was further fractionated into four subfractions F1-F4 by silica gel column chromatography. F1 was found to be most effective in protecting RBC against AAPH radicals and in inhibiting lipid peroxidation. On the basis of thin-layer chromatography and UV and IR spectra analyses, all subfractions contained phenolic compounds. However, there was no correlation between the above antioxidant potency and total phenolic compounds estimated by using the Folin-Ciocalteau method.
PMID: 12059172 J Agric Food Chem. 2002 Jun 19;50(13):3862-6. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov