Overview

Laminaria is a type of seaweed. It is used as food in many Asian countries. Laminaria contains iodine, an element that the body needs to make thyroid hormones. It is also a rich source of iron and potassium. Despite serious safety concerns about laminaria, some people use laminaria as medicine.

Laminaria is used in the cervix for ending a pregnancy (abortion) or for childbirth. It is also taken by mouth for various conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any of its uses.

How does it work ?

Laminaria seems to be able to form a thick, sticky gel when it comes into contact with water. This allows laminaria to work as a bulk laxative. It also allows laminaria "tents" that have been placed inside the cervix to expand the cervix for procedures or to "ripen" the cervix and speed up the onset of labor. These laminaria tents absorb water, gradually swelling to a diameter of 1/2 inch over 4-6 hours. This swelling causes the cervix to expand, and that can bring on labor.

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This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.