laminaria japonica

*Laminaria japonica* (synonym *Saccharina japonica*), commonly known as kombu or haidai, is a large brown seaweed (kelp) native to the Northwest Pacific. In clinical practice, the dried, sterilized stalks of the plant are utilized as osmotic dilators (laminaria tents) to facilitate cervical ripening and dilation prior to gynecological procedures such as intrauterine device insertion or surgical abortion. The plant is also a significant dietary source of iodine, used to prevent and treat iodine deficiency disorders like goiter. Beyond its physical and nutritional applications, *Laminaria japonica* contains bioactive polysaccharides, including fucoidan and laminarin, which exhibit anticoagulant, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory activities in preclinical models.

Brand names

Laminaria Tent

Other names

laminaria japonicumSaccharina japonicakombuhaidaisea tanglebrown kelp