Renal failure, edema treated with TCM Kombu

What is Kombu(Kun Bu)?
Medicinally Kombu refers to a few different algae types, among which Laminaria japonica Aresch. is the major one. But sometimes it also means Ecklonia kurome Okam. or wakame [Undaria pinnatifida (Harv.) Sur.] And it has a number of other names, such as Brown Algae, laminaria digitata, Saccharina japonica, Hai Dai, dashima, Thallus Algae, Thallus Laminariae seu Eckloniae, Kelp Thallus, Thallus Eckloniae, Brown Seaweed, tangle, Laminaire, konbu, and so on. In China it is mainly produced in Shandong, Liaoning, Zhejiang and other places. Summer and autumn are the best seasons for harvesting kelp. Next it needs to remove impurities, rinse, shred, and dry them in the sun.

Laminaria japonica is perennial large brown algae. It is in the shape of a band when matured and can reach up to 6 meters. It has a large root like holdfast, which is fibrous and composed of a few forked rhizoids. And at the end of the rhizoid there is sucking disc. Above there is a short cylindrical handle, which is 5 to 15cm long. The thallus is elongated ovate when young and stretches into flat strip that measures 2 to 6 meters long and 20 to 50cm wide. The thallus is leathery, thicker in the center, thin on both sides, and with thin wavy folds. During reproductive period there is sporangium on both sides of the thallus. It grows in the cold ocean, usually attached on the rocks 2 to 3 meters below the tide line in seaside. Or it is cultivated on ropes and bamboo.

Kombu health benefits
This edible seaweed a vegetable with very high nutritional value. Each 100 dried kombu contains 8.2g crude protein, 0.1g fat, 57g carbohydrate, 9.8g fiber, 12.9g inorganic salt, 2.25g calcium, 0.15g iron, 0.57mg carotene, 0.69mg thiamine (vitamin B1), 0.36mg riboflavin (vitamin B2), 16mg niacin, and 262 calories. Compared to spinach and oilseed rape, its crude protein, sugar, calcium, and iron levels are several times or dozens times higher. In addition, cultivated kombu generally contains iodine at 3 to 5%, or sometimes as many as 7 to 10%. And the iodine and alginic acid distilled are widely used in pharmaceutical, food and chemical industry. Eating kelp has tons of health benefits.

1. It contains large amounts of mannitol, which induces diuresis to reduce edema and thus prevent and cure renal failure;

2. The synergistic effect of mannitol, iodine, potassium, and niacin can help Atherosclerosis, Hypertension, Chronic Bronchitis, chronic hepatitis, Anemia, edema and other diseases;

3. It is rich in calcium, iodine and a variety of minerals, which can regulate endocrine and calcium concentration, and effectively control the loss of calcium;

4. Pectin within kelp can promote bowel movements and prevent constipation. At the same time because it significantly reduces cholesterol, it has become a popular supplement for patients with cardiovascular disease;

5. Regular consumption of kelp can increase iodine intake and the absorption of calcium, which is the major reason why it is believed with anti-cancer effect by some people.