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Salty in flavor, cold in nature, non-toxic. It primarily treats twelve types of edema (swelling caused by fluid retention), goiter (enlargement of the thyroid gland) and other neck masses with stagnant qi, and sores/ulcers. It grows in the East Sea.

Tao Hongjing stated: Currently, it is only produced in Goryeo (Korea). It is bundled with ropes like rolled hemp, appears yellowish-black, and is soft, tough, and edible. The *Erya* states: "Lun" (pronounced 'lún') resembles a wheel, and "Zu" resembles a woven band; these are found in the East Sea. Current green algae and laver resemble "Lun," while this Kelp resembles "Zu," suggesting they might be the same. All marine vegetables can treat goiter and stagnant qi. Green algae and laver are similar in this regard. Dried seaweed has a hot nature, while fresh/soft seaweed has a very cold nature. Current research indicates: Chen Cangqi in his *Bencao* states: Kelp treats genital ulcers; hold it in the mouth and swallow the juice. It grows in the South Sea. The leaves are palm-sized, thin like reed mats, and purple. Ministers Yu Xi et al., according to the *Yaoxing Lun*, state: Kelp is a minister herb, slightly toxic. It promotes urination, reduces facial swelling, and treats malignant sores and scrofula (tuberculous lymphadenitis). Chen Cangqi states: Laver is sweet in flavor and cold in nature. It treats lower heat and irritability; excessive consumption causes abdominal pain, induces qi rebellion, results in vomiting of white foam, which can be resolved by drinking a small amount of hot vinegar. Xiao Bing stated: Marine vegetables may contain small snails that harm the human body and should not be eaten in excess.

The *Tu Jing Ben Cao* details this under the entry for Sargassum Herba (Haisei, 海藻).

The *Tang Ben Zhu* states: There is also "Shi Fan" (Stone Sail), shaped like cypress, used to treat stone strangury (urinary calculi). There is also "Shui Song" (Water Pine), shaped like pine, used to treat stream toxicity (toxic damp-heat from mountain streams). Chen Cangqi states: It treats orchitis (testicular swelling). Boil and drink the juice; it grows in the South Sea. The leaves are hand-sized, dry into purple-red color, and are large like thin reed mats. Tao Hongjing stated it comes from Silla, is yellowish-black, and has soft, fine leaves. Tao's explanation of Kelp actually refers to Sargassum fusiforme (Mawei Haizao, 马尾海藻). The new annotation states: For goiter qi, take the powder, make pills with honey, and dissolve slowly in the mouth to eliminate it naturally. The *Hai Yao Ben Cao* states: According to the *Yi Zhi*: It grows in the waters of the East Sea, with its grass growing downstream. The Silla variety is yellowish-black with fine leaves. Hu people harvest it, twist it into ropes, dry it in the shade, and bring it to China by ship. Its nature is warm; it effectively treats massive abdominal edema, various floating qi conditions, and goiter with qi stagnation. Lei Gong stated: When preparing it, first boil it with broken steamer inserts to remove the salty taste, then bake, cut finely, and use. For every jin (500g) processed, use ten steamer inserts of varying sizes. Place the finely cut herbs separately in each insert, put them in flowing water from the east, and boil from Si hour (9-11 AM) to Hai hour (9-11 PM), adding water as needed without letting it run dry. The *Shi Liao Ben Cao* states: It directs qi downward; long-term use makes thin people thinner. Those without this condition should not eat it. People on islands love to eat it because there are no other good vegetables, so they only eat this. Long-term consumption prevents disease. Thus, it was rumored to be beneficial for northerners. However, northerners who ate it developed diseases. This is due to unsuitable local water and soil conditions. It is also said: Laver clears heat qi; excessive consumption causes bloating. If heat qi blocks the throat, boil and drink the juice. These are marine products, and their flavors still retain some toxicity. Therefore, all marine vegetables can potentially harm humans. The *Sheng Hui Fang* states: To treat goiter qi nodules that are swollen and hard: Take one liang of Kelp, wash away the saltiness, pound into a powder. Each time, take one qian (3g), wrap in silk, soak in good vinegar, hold in the mouth, swallow the saliva, and when the medicinal flavor is exhausted, repeat. The *Wai Tai Mi Yao* states: To treat sudden cyst formation under the jaw that gradually enlarges towards becoming a goiter: Mix equal parts of Kelp and Sargassum Herba (Haisei, 海藻) into powder, make honey pills, hold one the size of an apricot kernel in the mouth, and slowly swallow the juice. The *Qianjin Yi Fang* states: To treat five types of goiter: Take one liang of Kelp, cut into finger-sized pieces, soak in vinegar, hold in the mouth, and swallow the juice until cured.