FolkKB

Horsetail kelp

Laminaria digitata

Laminaria digitata is a species of brown algae found in marine environments. In various traditional practices, it has been utilized as an alterative, for dental applications, and in preparations for hand water or boiler water. Scientific research has identified specific components such as isomers of sulfated fucose and galactose within its fucoidan. Some studies suggest that both processed and unprocessed Laminaria digitata may influence bacterial abundance and glucose breakdown pathways in certain models, though findings regarding biostimulant effects on plant irrigation remain variable. No major safety issues or notable drug interactions have been recorded.

At a glance
Traditionally for
alterative · boiler water
Traditions
traditional
Best evidence
D
Cautions
—

Informational only. Traditional use does not mean proven effectiveness. Evidence and safety vary — check the cited sources.

Traditional use

  • alterative traditional T3 DRDUKE
  • boiler water traditional T3 DRDUKE
  • dental traditional T3 DRDUKE
  • hand water traditional T3 DRDUKE
  • sulfanilimide traditional T3 DRDUKE

What the science says

  • The study found that iodide is stored in intracellular vesicles and bromide in vacuoles of specific cells in Laminaria digitata. D PMID
  • Both enzymatically processed and unprocessed Laminaria digitata and Fucus vesiculosus increased the relative abundance of certain bacterial species and pathways related to glucose breakdown in inflamed mice. D PMID
  • The study found that reduced irrigation primarily affected yield structure and fruit composition in greenhouse tomatoes, with biostimulants showing variable effects depending on water availability. D PMID
  • The study identified isomers of singly and doubly sulfated fucose, and singly sulfated galactose within fucoidan from Laminaria digitata using cIM-MS. D PMID
  • The study found that mechanical blade disruption and pretreatment duration influenced alginate yield and purity, with optimal conditions varying by processing time and speed. D PMID

Frequently asked questions

What is Horsetail kelp?

Horsetail kelp (Laminaria digitata) is a plant documented in FolkKB's traditional-medicine reference, drawn from sourced literature and cross-checked against the evidence.

What is Horsetail kelp traditionally used for?

Traditional sources record Horsetail kelp for: alterative, boiler water, dental, hand water, sulfanilimide. This reflects traditional use, not a proven medical treatment.

Which traditions use Horsetail kelp?

Horsetail kelp appears in these traditions in our sources: traditional.

What does the scientific evidence say about Horsetail kelp?

5 sourced findings are recorded for Horsetail kelp; the strongest carries evidence grade D. For example: The study found that iodide is stored in intracellular vesicles and bromide in vacuoles of specific cells in Laminaria digitata.

How strong is the evidence for Horsetail kelp?

The strongest finding for Horsetail kelp carries evidence grade D — preliminary or traditional. Grades run A (strongest) to D (preliminary or traditional).

Is Horsetail kelp safe? What are the side effects?

No major safety issues are recorded for Horsetail kelp in our sources, but the data may be incomplete. Consult a qualified professional before use.

Does Horsetail kelp interact with medications?

No drug interactions are recorded for Horsetail kelp in our sources. This does not rule them out — check with a pharmacist.

What are the common names of Horsetail kelp?

Horsetail kelp is also known as: Ламинария пальчаторассечённая, Fouet du sorcier.

Is Horsetail kelp a proven treatment?

No. FolkKB is informational only. Traditional use and early findings are not proof of efficacy or safety — consult a qualified professional and never self-treat.

Sources

  1. T3 Dr. Duke's Ethnobotanical Database public domain (USDA ARS — attribute Dr. Duke's)
  2. T2 Effect of a Combination of Prebiotic Supplements Based on Fucus and Kelp on the Gut Microbiome of Mice with Induced Inflammation. literature abstract metadata
  3. T2 Synchrotron X-rays elucidate the intracellular storage of the iodide and bromide antioxidant system in the kelp Laminaria digitata. literature abstract metadata
  4. T2 Separation of sulfated fucose-containing isomers found in polysaccharides from brown seaweed using cyclic ion mobility mass spectrometry. literature abstract metadata
  5. T2 Rapid organic acid mechanochemical extraction of alginate from Laminaria digitata. literature abstract metadata
  6. T2 Yield-quality relationships under deficit irrigation in greenhouse tomato: modulation by seaweed biostimulants. literature abstract metadata