Kombu
Other Names : konbu (Japanese : 昆布), 昆布, dashima (Korean: 다시마), haidai (simplified Chinese: 海带; traditional Chinese: 海帶; pinyin: Hǎidài), Laminaria. Kombu is an edible kelp from the family Laminariaceae widely eaten in East Asia.
Konbucha (昆布茶, "kelp tea") refers to a beverage made from dried and powdered kombu.
See also :
Most kombu is from the species Saccharina japonica (Laminaria japonica). Kombu is one of the several edible species of kelp found in Japan and is an important ingredient in Japanese cuisine used to flavor broths and stews. Kombu is a well-known dark, green, long thick sea vegetable from the Kelp family. Among the popular sea vegetables are rame, nori, dulse, wakame, and hijiki. Some cultures have been consuming seaweed for almost 2000 years since they provide essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to the body. There are several benefits associated with sea vegetables and Kombu.
Special Precautions of Kombu
- Do not confuse with Kombucha
- Pregnancy Complications : Kombu has been used to manually dilate a pregnant woman's cervix -- the small opening at the base of the uterus -- and induce labor. Unfortunately, this use of kombu may cause severe pregnancy complications for the mother and baby. Infection, cervical rupture and infant death may occur following treatment with kombu. For this reason, expectant mothers should not use kombu unless otherwise directed by a physician.
- Thyroid Gland Problems : As an iodine-rich supplement, kombu may significantly elevate the levels of iodine in your bloodstream. Iodine stimulates your thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormone. High levels of iodine may result in the overproduction of thyroid hormone, a condition called hyperthyroidism. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include fatigue, heart rate changes, loose and soft stools, weight loss, and profuse sweating. If you develop any of these symptoms while taking kombu, seek additional care from your doctor.
- Contraindications : Treatment with kombu is not appropriate for everyone. If you have a pre-existing thyroid gland disease, such as goiter, hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, or kidney problems, you should not take kombu. Improper use of kombu may worsen symptoms associated with your health condition.
- Consuming large amounts of kombu can actually backfire on you because kombu consists of indigestible cellulose or non-soluble fiber. Even taking a teaspoon or tablespoon of kombu powder, which appears finely ground, can feel like shrapnel to your colon because it is an insoluble substance. Diarrhea or constipation is likely to occur in those who start eating kombu in larger quantities than their bodies are accustomed to.
- Medication Interactions : Kombu may interact with certain medications. Avoid using kombu in conjunction with digoxin, ACE inhibitors, potassium supplements, and potassium-sparing diuretics or water pills. Kombu is a high-potassium supplement and may inadvertently elevate your potassium levels to unhealthy levels when used in conjunction with these drugs. In addition, do not take kombu if you are also taking thyroid hormone, because this treatment combination may raise your risk of developing high blood levels of thyroid hormone.
- Although Kombu has many health benefits, it does not provide adequate supply of vitamin B12 which is vital for a strong nervous system, and vitamin D required for absorption of calcium in the body.
The benefits of Kombu are
The medicinal powers of seaweeds have been used for centuries because of their proven ability to prolong life and enhance health and beauty. Over the last decade, continuing worldwide research has shown brown seaweed to be the most beneficial of all seaweeds. Brown seaweed (Laminaria japonica, or kombu) is rich in organic iodine, fucoidan, alginates, fucoxanthin, laminarin and other mineral values. It also contains all of the 72 different trace minerals, which are often lacking in people living in the Western hemisphere, particularly the U.S. Here's a breakdown of brown seaweed's stellar health properties:
- Youthfulness and longevity : Though this is not yet scientifically proven, researchers have found a direct link between regular Kombu consumption and a long period of vitality and youthfulness. This is because seaweed and vegetables have been shown to help maintain youthful expression. In addition, seaweed improves strength of hair as well.
- Detoxifying agent : Alginic acid, also called algin or alginate, is an anionic polysaccharide that exists in the cell walls of brown algae. The alginate content of brown seaweed detoxifies the body of strontium, uranium, mercury, lead -- and hundreds of toxic chemicals that we're exposed to in modern society. Also chlorophyll in algae works as a detoxifying agent.
- Essential trace minerals : These are minerals and vitamins that are hard to obtain in regular nutrition. Seaweed or Kombu is a great source of many trace minerals that are generally found in supplements. However, the body has been known to utilize minerals in diets better than those found in pills.
- Aids digestive system : Kombu is known to help the process of digestion. It improves blood circulation, and prevents constipation and bowel decay. In addition, it balances alkaline and acids in the body and prevent cancer by regulating blood ph levels.
- Cancer : Approximately 4% of the total dry weight of brown seaweed consists of fucoidan. Fucoidan is a sulfated polysaccharide, also referred to as an "evaporated oligomineral." It is the fucoidan content in brown seaweed that has been proven to cause certain types of rapidly growing cancer cells to self-destruct, according to the Biomedical Research Laboratories of Takara Shuzo and the Research Institute for Glycotechnology Advancement.
- Weight-Loss : fucoxanthin works in combination with the mineral iodine that's also present in brown seaweed. When the thyroid is supplied with a sufficient amount of iodine, the endocrine system is rehabilitated and functions more efficiently -- and this increases your body's metabolic speed, thereby enabling your body to burn calories faster and prevent the accumulation of body fat.
- Good source of Iodine.
- Traditionally, kombu has been used to induce labor in pregnant women. However, the safety of the use of this natural treatment during pregnancy remains unclear. Discuss the side effects of kombu with your medical provider before using this supplement.
