Quick Facts
| Latin Name | Eckloniae Thallus |
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| Chinese Name & Pinyin | 昆布 · Kun Bu |
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| Medicinal Part | Seaweeds and fungi |
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| Efficacy Category | Phlegm-resolving |
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| Botanical Origin | The dried leaf-like body of Laminaria japonica Aresch., or Ecklonia kurome Okam.(Laminariaceae). |
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| Nature & Flavour | Salty; Cold |
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| Channels Entered | Liver, Stomach, Kidney |
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What Is Kun Bu?
Kun Bu (Kelp) is a medicinal herb of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Liaoning, Shandong.
Nature & Flavour: Salty; Cold
Channels Entered: Liver, Stomach, Kidney
Kun Bu: Materia Medica Profile
Identification & Quality Standard
Eckloniae Thallus
Botanical Origin
The dried leaf-like body of Laminaria japonica Aresch., or Ecklonia kurome Okam.(Laminariaceae).
Production Regions
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Liaoning, Shandong.
Quality Requirements
Superior medicinal material has large leaves, thick body, green color.
Macroscopic Features
Laminaria japonica Aresch.: Rolled and folded in lumps or tangled in bundles. Whole body is black-brown or greenish-brown, surface covered with white frost. After soaking in water, it enlarges to a flat long belt-like shape, 50~150cm long, 10~40cm wide, center is relatively thick, edge is relatively thin, creating a rippled appearance. Nearly leathery texture, remnants of stem are flat cylindrical. Fishy odor; salty taste. Ecklonia kurome Okam.: Wrinkled in irregular lumps. Whole body is black, relatively thin. After soaking in water, it enlarges to a flat leaf-shape, about 16~26cm long and wide, about 1.6mm thick; both sides of the leaf have pinniform deep lobes, the lobes are long and tongue-shaped, edge has small teeth or entire. Soft and smooth texture.
Traditional TCM Properties
Salty; ColdLiverStomachKidney
Traditional Functions
Softens hardness, disperses binds, disperses phlegm, promotes urination. Apply to gall, scrofula, and swelling pain of testicles, phlegm retention and edema.
How Kun Bu Is Used in TCM
In the Chinese materia medica, Kun Bu is classified among the Phlegm-resolving herbs. It appears in 1 classical formulas in our library.
Formulas containing Kun Bu are traditionally used for:
Neck Pain
Classical Formulas Containing Kun Bu
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kun Bu? Are Hai Zao, food kelp and nori the same?
Official Kun Bu (昆布) is the dried thallus of Laminaria japonica or Ecklonia kurome. The pharmacopoeial names are Laminariae Thallus and Eckloniae Thallus. Food kelp may fall under this name, but pieces must meet the pharmacopoeia. Hai Zao is Sargassum pallidum or Sargassum fusiforme: bitter-salty and cold, dissolves phlegm, softens hardness, promotes urination and reduces swelling, and traditionally antagonizes licorice. Nori is not pharmacopoeial kelp. Write Kun Bu. Use caution in Spleen-Stomach vacuity cold.
What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of Kun Bu?
According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Kun Bu is salty and cold, enters the Liver, Stomach and Kidney channels, and acts to dissolve phlegm, soften hardness, disperse nodules, promote urination and reduce swelling. It is used for goiter, scrofula, swollen painful testes, and phlegm-fluid edema. Salty-cold and softening, it is stronger than sargassum—not for Spleen-Stomach vacuity cold.
How do you choose Laminaria versus Ecklonia? Can Hai Zao replace it?
Both are included and the actions are close. Laminaria has a broad thallus; Ecklonia is pinnately branched. Sargassum softens hardness less strongly and antagonizes licorice; it cannot replace kelp by equal weight. Commercial kelp soup is not equal-weight pieces.
Learn More About Kun Bu
Explore our in-depth article covering the traditional uses, properties, functions, and TCM context of Kun Bu.
Read the Kun Bu Guide →
Medical Disclaimer — This article is provided for educational purposes only and describes traditional Chinese medicine concepts. It is not medical advice, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using any herb, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a diagnosed condition.
