Hǎi Zǎo (海藻), known in English as Sargassum seaweed (Sargassum fusiforme), is a cold, salty and bitter Chinese herb from the Resolve phlegm category. It enters the Liver, Kidney and Stomach channels. Its main action: clears Heat-Phlegm, softens hardness, dissipates nodules.
| Pinyin | Hǎi Zǎo (Hai Zao) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 海藻 |
| English | Sargassum seaweed |
| Botanical name | Sargassum fusiforme |
| Category | Resolve phlegm |
| Nature | Cold |
| Flavour | Salty, Bitter |
| Channels | Liver, Kidney, Stomach |
| Dosage | 9–15g |
| Cautions | Incompatible with Gan Cao (18 incompatibilities) |
Actions
- Clears Heat-Phlegm, softens hardness, dissipates nodules
- Promotes urination, reduces oedema
Indications
- Phlegm-Heat causing goitre, scrofula, testicular swelling
How to remember Hǎi Zǎo
Most Resolve phlegm herbs enter the Lung channel.
- Learn by heart
- Cold: Resolve phlegm herbs vary in nature
- Salty: Resolve phlegm herbs vary in flavour
- Bitter: Resolve phlegm herbs vary in flavour
- Liver, Kidney and Stomach channels: nothing in its group or its actions points to them
Other Resolve phlegm herbs
- Bàn Xià
- Guā Lóu
- Tiān Nán Xīng
- Zào Jiǎo Cì
- Jié Gěng
- Chuān Bèi Mǔ
- Zhè Bèi Mǔ
- Zhú Rú
- Tiān Zhú Huáng
- Kūn Bù
- Pí Pá Yè
- Xìng Rén
- Zǐ Wǎn
- Bǎi Bù
- Kuǎn Dōng Huā
- Sāng Bái Pí
- Tíng Lì Zǐ
- Bái Jiè Zǐ
- Bái Qián
- Qián Hú
- Xuán Fù Huā
- Zǐ Sū Zǐ
- Bái Guǒ
- Qīng Méng Shí
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Hǎi Zǎo?
Hǎi Zǎo is cold and salty and bitter.
Which channels does Hǎi Zǎo enter?
Hǎi Zǎo enters the Liver, Kidney and Stomach channels.
What are the actions of Hǎi Zǎo?
Clears Heat-Phlegm, softens hardness, dissipates nodules; Promotes urination, reduces oedema.
What is Hǎi Zǎo used for?
Phlegm-Heat causing goitre, scrofula, testicular swelling.
Practise Hǎi Zǎo and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.