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(Wen, Luan, Yun three pronunciations. From *Bencao Shiyi* [Supplement to Materia Medica].)
[Correction] Moved from the Herb section to this volume.
[Names] Li Shizhen said: "Yun" means tangled silk. Its leaves resemble tangled silk, hence the name.
[Flavor and Properties] Salty, cold, non-toxic.
[Indications] Goiter and nodular qi accumulation in the throat, promotes urination (Chen Cangqi). Mainly treats edema (Su Song).

(Song Dynasty *Jia You Ben Cao* [Compendium of Materia Medica])
[Collected Explanations] Su Yuxi said: Kelp (*Haidai*) grows on rocks in the East China Sea. It resembles seaweed but is thicker, flexible, tough, and long. People in Dengzhou now dry it to bind objects. Physicians use it to promote urination, with effects superior to seaweed (*Zao Hai*) and kelp (*Kun Bu*).
[Flavor and Properties] Salty, cold, non-toxic.
[Indications] Facilitates childbirth, treats women's diseases, and dispels wind and promotes urination (*Jia You Ben Cao*). Treats water diseases and goiters; efficacy is similar to seaweed (Li Shizhen).

(*Mingyi Bielu* [Record of Famous Physicians], Middle Grade)
[Names] Lunbu.
Li Shizhen said: According to *Wu Pu Bencao*, Lunbu is another name for Kunbu. Thus, what *Erya* refers to as "Lun resembling Lun, found in the East Sea," is indeed Kunbu. "Lun" sounds like Guan, referring to a green silk ribbon, which was corrupted into "Kun." Tao Hongjing considered "Lun" to be green moss or purple laver, and "Zu" to be Kunbu; Chen Cangqi further stated that "Lun" and "Zu" are two different types of algae. Their views differ thus.
[Collected Explanations] *Mingyi Bielu* says: Kunbu grows in the East Sea.
Hongjing said: Currently, it is only produced in Goryeo. It is bundled like ropes, resembling rolled hemp, yellowish-black in color, flexible, and edible. *Erya* states: "Lun resembles Lun, Zu resembles Zu, found in the East Sea." Current green moss and purple laver all resemble "Lun," while Kunbu resembles "Zu"; I fear these are the same.
Cangqi said: Kunbu grows in the South Sea. Its leaves are hand-shaped, large like thin reed mats, purple-red in color. The fine-leaved variety is seaweed.
Song said: This grass grows with the current. Those from Silla have fine leaves, yellowish-black. Hu people twist them into ropes, dry them in the shade, and bring them to China via ships.
Shizhen said: Kunbu from Deng and Lai is twisted into rope-like shapes. That from Min and Zhe has large leaves resembling vegetables. Generally, various sea vegetables have similar properties and flavors, and their main therapeutic effects are consistent. Although there are slight differences, they are not significantly distinct.
[Processing] Lei Xiao said: When using Kunbu, for every jin (500g), use ten steamer inserts of varying sizes, chop them finely together, and boil them in running water from the Si hour (9-11 AM) to the Hai hour (9-11 PM). Wait until the salty taste is removed, then sun-dry and roast for use.
[Flavor and Properties] Salty, cold, slippery, non-toxic. Pu said: Sour and salty, cold, non-toxic. Quan said: Warm, slightly toxic.
[Indications] Twelve types of edema, goiter, nodular qi accumulation, malignant sores (*Mingyi Bielu*).
Breaks up accumulations (Sun Simiao). Treats scrotal swelling; hold in mouth and swallow juice (Chen Cangqi). Promotes urinary flow, reduces facial swelling, treats malignant sores and rat-hole fistulas (Zhen Quan).
[Elucidation] Guo said: Salty flavor can soften hardness; therefore, goiters hard as stone cannot be eliminated without this herb, sharing the same efficacy as seaweed.
Shen said: Kunbu directs qi downward. Long-term consumption causes emaciation; those without this condition should not consume it. People on islands love eating it because good vegetables are scarce; they eat only this substance. After long-term habitual consumption, diseases do not arise, leading to legends about its benefits for northerners. Northerners who eat it often fall ill due to unsuitable local conditions. All sea vegetables are damaging if consumed excessively and should not be eaten in large quantities.
[Attached Prescriptions] Four old prescriptions.
Kunbu Decoction: Treats bladder qi stagnation; urgently needed to direct qi downward. Use one jin of Goryeo Kunbu, soak overnight in rice wash water, and rinse to remove saltiness. Boil in one hu (approx. 10 liters) of water until cooked, then split finely. Add one handful of white parts of green onions, cut into cun segments. Boil until extremely soft, then add salt, vinegar, fermented soybeans, ginger powder, tangerine peel powder, and pepper powder to mix and eat. It is advisable to also eat sorghum or japonica rice. Extremely effective at directing qi downward. No dietary restrictions. Seaweed can also be prepared according to this method (*Guangji Fang*).
Goiter Qi Nodules: Swollen and hard. Take one qian (approx. 3.7g) of Kunbu, rinse to remove saltiness, dry, and grind into powder. Wrap one qian in cotton each time, soak in good vinegar, hold in mouth, and swallow saliva. Replace when the flavor is exhausted (*Shenghui Fang*).
Five Types of Goiters on the Neck: Prescription same as above (*Qianjin Yi Fang*).
Sudden swelling on the neck, where the sac gradually enlarges, intending to become a goiter. Equal parts Kunbu and seaweed, ground into powder, honey-pilled to the size of an apricot kernel. Hold in mouth occasionally and swallow juice.