Kūn Bù (昆布), known in English as Kelp (Laminaria japonica), is a cold, salty 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 | Kūn Bù (Kun Bu) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 昆布 |
| English | Kelp |
| Botanical name | Laminaria japonica |
| Category | Resolve phlegm |
| Nature | Cold |
| Flavour | Salty |
| Channels | Liver, Kidney, Stomach |
| Dosage | 6–12g |
| Cautions | Spleen deficiency with Cold; high iodine content |
Actions
- Clears Heat-Phlegm, softens hardness, dissipates nodules
- Promotes urination
Indications
- Goitre
- Scrofula
- Phlegm masses
- Oedema — often used with Hai Zao
How to remember Kūn Bù
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
- 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
- Hǎi Zǎo
- 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 Kūn Bù?
Kūn Bù is cold and salty.
Which channels does Kūn Bù enter?
Kūn Bù enters the Liver, Kidney and Stomach channels.
What are the actions of Kūn Bù?
Clears Heat-Phlegm, softens hardness, dissipates nodules; Promotes urination.
What is Kūn Bù used for?
Goitre; scrofula; phlegm masses; oedema — often used with Hai Zao.
Practise Kūn Bù 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.