Our Herb of the Week is a "Sea Weed" with amazing medicinal properties. Kombu is harvested off of the coasts of Japan and contains a host of Vitamins, abundant Minerals, Trace Elements and Glutamic Salts. It is used in cooking to add flavor, nourishment and to aid the softening of dry beans and reduce gasses.
It is purchased as a dried vegetable and can be added "as is" to soups, stews, vegetables and in salads as a dry crumble (or soaked in water briefly). Soaked Kombu is fed to dogs for arthritis - 2 to 4 grams daily (about one half to three quarters of a "strip") for a large dog, 1 to 3 grams daily for medium dogs and 1/2 to 1 gram for a small pooch. 3 grams of Kombu has the total amount of the necessary mineral, Iodine, for a human being per day. Iodine is needed for endocrine, glandular, lymphatic health and to maintain healthy skin, hair, nails, claws, hooves, etc.
I have used Kombu (well soaked and softened in pure water) as a wound dressing held on with plastic film/wrap (to maintain the moisture) and an outer "Vetrap" bandage. I have applied this to many an Equine injury, including those that needed sutures but they either kept pulling out or could not be used. The healing is remarkable and scarring is minimal. I used this on a severe cut to my hand when I could not afford to have it stitched. The Iodine content makes it antiseptic and stimulating and the other minerals support cutaneous restructuring.
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This herb from the ocean has been used by many cultures for many thousands of years.
Look for Kombu in any Health Food or Asian Food Market
