Witnessed by: TCM
Sargassum (Sargassum pallidum), of the Sargassaceae family. Branching brown marine alga with air-bladders; native range: coastal waters of the China seas. Globally recognized as hai zao (海藻) in Chinese, and gulfweed, seaweed in English. The part used is whole thallus. Blackish-brown wiry fronds bearing small floats, salty with the tang of the sea.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
SARGASSUM
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- sargassum
- Scientific name
- Sargassum pallidum (Turner) C.Agardh
- Family
- Sargassaceae
Form
- Part used
- whole thallus
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- TCM
- bitter · salty
Temperature
- TCM
- cold
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- TCM
- Liver · Stomach · Kidney
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- TCM
- reduces phlegm, softens hardness, dissipates nodules, and promotes urination
Cautions
- Contraindications
- avoid in Spleen and Stomach cold-damp from deficiency; classically counteracted by licorice (gan cao), one of the eighteen antagonisms
- Toxicity
- none of note at customary dose
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