Seaweed (kombu, kelp, hai dai, 海带) can be used to treat pharyngitis and sore throat. Kombu is edible kelp from the family Laminariaceae widely eaten in East Asia – China, Japan and Korea.
Kombu seaweed grows in the sea of East Asia. It is used in Asian cuisine for making a variety of dishes including soup. Kombu seaweed is similar to wakame seaweed, but is a little tougher than wakame, partly due to its higher fibre content. Like wakame, it is typically sold in the form of dried strips that can be soaked in water and then added to food.
Kombu is high in minerals, including iodine, potassium, calcium and iron. It contains umami flavor, nutrients, and minerals. The seaweed is rich in glutamic acid, which is an amino acid responsible for umami. Several foodstuffs in addition to the seaweed provide glutamic acid or glutamates. Kombu contains iodine, a mineral that is essential for normal growth and development. It is also a source of dietary fiber. The seaweed is low in calories and high in fibre (around 30%). Often eating kombu can help to safeguard against mineral deficiences. Kombu is known for its alginate content, which has been linked to beneficial effects in preventing obesity.
Kombu is not only used as a food, it is also used for treating disorders, such as pharyngitis and sore throat.
Kombu for Pharyngitis and Sore Throat
How to use Kombu as remedies? Here is a Chinese folk remedy using it to treat pharyngitis and sore throat:
Soak kombu (dried hard sheets) 20 grams in cold water for one hour, then rinse it several times, and drain;
Cut the kmbu into 1 inch pieces;
Pickle the soaked kombu with the same amount of white sugar for two days;
Eat 30 grams, three times a day.
Kombu can be bought fresh, dried or frozen in Asian markets.
