Evidence supporting the use of: Laminaria
For the body system: Lymphatics
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1
Laminaria, a genus of brown seaweed, has a long history of use in traditional medicine, particularly in East Asian cultures, but its specific use for supporting the lymphatic system is limited and not well-documented either traditionally or scientifically. Most traditional uses of Laminaria focus on its iodine content and its role in supporting thyroid function, as well as general detoxification and edema relief. Some herbal traditions suggest that seaweeds like Laminaria may help with fluid balance in the body, which could theoretically support lymphatic drainage, but these claims are largely anecdotal and not robustly documented in classical herbal texts.
From a scientific perspective, research on Laminaria has primarily investigated its effects on thyroid health, metabolic rate, and as a dietary fiber source. There is little to no direct scientific evidence linking Laminaria to improved lymphatic function in humans. Any indirect support for the lymphatics would be speculative, based on its potential to reduce fluid retention or provide anti-inflammatory effects, but these have not been rigorously studied in the context of lymphatic health. Therefore, the use of Laminaria for lymphatic support is best described as based on tradition, with very low quality evidence supporting its efficacy for this body system.
Other ingredients that support Lymphatics
AescinAHCC
Ajuga
Alfalfa
Alkylglycerols
Andrographis
Asteraceae
astragalus
bayberry
bee products
berry
bindweed
bittersweet
black-eyed Susan
blackberry
blue flag
boneset
Brassica
Bupleurum
bupleurum falcatum
burdock
Calendula
castor oil
cat's claw
Ceanothus integerrimus
chamomile
chaparral
Chinese Ligustrum berry
Citrus
citrus pectin
cleavers
Codonopsis
coriolus mushroom
coumarin
cowslip
cruciferous
culvers Root
cypress
cytokines
dandelion
deerbrush
dyer’s woad root
Echinacea
echinacea purpurea
elecampane
escin
figwort
fruit
fruit blend (proprietary)
Galium
ganoderma
garlic bulb
ginger
goldenseal
gotu kola
green tea
heal-all
Herb Robert
herbal blend (proprietary)
horse chestnut
Immortelle
Indian sarsparilla
jiaogulan
joe-pye
Kachnar
Laminaria
lemon
Lentinan
licorice root
Ligustrum
lingzhi
lobelia
Lomatium
maitake mushroom
marigold
Marshmallow
Monoterpenes
Mullein
Neem tree
Nettle
New Jersey Tea
noni
Ocotillo
onion
oregon grape
parsley
pau d'arco
Pluchea
Pokeweed
Polyporus
polysaccharides
punarnava
Queen's Delight
red clover
red root
reishi mushroom
rockweed
rosemary
Rubia cordifolia
Rubus
Ruscogenins
Ruscus
Sanicle
sarsaparilla
scrophularia root
Self-Heal
serratiopeptidase
sheep's sorrel
Spanish Needle
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
Stillingia
Sulfated polysaccharide
Sweet Clover
Taraxacum
Tayuya
Tea
Terpenoids
Thymus
Triterpenes
turmeric
typhonium
Typhonium flagelliforme
Watercress
Watermelon
Witch Hazel
Yarrow
Yellow Dock
Other body systems supported by Laminaria
Female Reproductive SystemGlandular System
Lymphatics
Reproductive System
Spleen
Thyroid Gland
