Porphyra (Genus), Porphyra yezoensis  紫菜  Zǐ cài- "Purple vegetable"  Nori, Seaweed  Domain: Eukaryota, (unranked)- Archaeplastida, Phylum-: Rhodophyta, Class- Rhodophyceae, Order- Bangiales, Family- Bangiaceae, Genus- Porphyra        
The marine red alga Porphyra has been cultivated extensively in many Asian countries as an edible seaweed used to wrap the rice and fish that compose the Japanese food sushi (called nori), and the Korean food gimbap. It is probably the most widely known seaweed used for food.
Grows in cold, shallow seawater in the intertidal zone, typically between the upper intertidal zone and the splash zone in cold waters of temperate oceans. It is a foliose red algal genus of laver, comprising approximately 70 species.
Nature- cold     FLAVOR:  Salty  
FUNCTIONS
1. Softens hardness, eliminates mucus.[1]
2. Promotes water passage.[1]
INDICATIONS
1. Goitre.[1]
2. Edema, beriberi.[1]
COMPARISONS
Types of seaweed used in chinese herbs
Saccharina- Laminaria (kelp), a brown algae Kun bu
Sargassum, a brown algae, as the source of Hai zao
Porphyra, a red algae, as the source of  Zi cai
PREPARATIONS:
- Simple goitre- Prepare 40 g seaweed and wash off the salt; boil it in 2 or 3 glasses water over low heat until the water is reduced by half, and drink.[1]
- Swollen testes- Boil 20 g seaweed and seagrass each with 5 g caraway seeds in an adequate amount of water over low heat until the water is reduced by half and drink.[1]
- Senile chronic bronchitis- Wash seaweed and about 1 inch in length; soak seaweed in boiling water 3 times, about 30 seconds each time; strain and eat the seaweed with sugar at meals for 1 month.[1]

          

Nuru- an odorless and colourless massage gel made predominantly from the Nori seaweed.
Nuru massage is a Japanese erotic massage technique from Kawasaki City. The technique requires one or more nuru masseuses to rub their body against the client's body after both parties are nude and covered with an odorless and colourless massage lotion made predominantly from the Nori seaweed. Nuru gel is indeed the slipperiest lubricating massage oil in use today. The gel is colorless, odorless, tasteless, and does not stain or damage fabric, and is water soluble. It is extremely good for moisturizing and revitalizing skin.The word originates from the Japanese language and means "slippery / smooth." Nuru practitioners use an odorless and tasteless massage lotion which is derived from seaweed leaves, sometimes referred to as "nuru gel". The gel is applied by hand to the entire body of both client and masseuse. During the massage, participants will try to get the widest possible physical contact, the masseuses often using their entire body on the person to be treated. Strong tactile sensations are triggered that are designed to relieve stress. The main component of the gel used during Nuru massages is the sulfated polysaccharide fucoidan, which is obtained from the leaves of the brown seaweed plant Sphaerotrichia divaricata.
PREPARATIONS: May be purchased in gel, or powder form- to be added to water.
    
Constituents
Nuru gel: The main component of the gel used during Nuru massages is the sulfated polysaccharide fucoidan, which is obtained from the leaves of the brown seaweed plant Sphaerotrichia divaricata. Chamomile, Azulene and other minerals are often added. May also contain aloe vera for benefiting skin.
References
Inner Path can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Research

A sulfated polysaccharide, fucoidan, enhances the immunomodulatory effects of lactic acid bacteria.
Kawashima T, Murakami K, Nishimura I, Nakano T, Obata A.
Abstract
Fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide contained in brown algae, has a variety of immunomodulatory effects, including antitumor and antiviral effects. On the other hand, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) also have immunomodulatory effects such as anti-allergic effects. In this study, we demonstrated that fucoidan enhances the probiotic effects of LAB on immune functions. By using Peyer's patch cells and spleen cells in vitro, fucoidan amplified interferon (IFN)-γ production in response to a strain of LAB, Tetragenococcus halophilus KK221, and this activity was abolished by desulfation of fucoidan. Moreover, this IFN-γ response was abolished by interleukin (IL)-12 neutralization. These results indicate that fucoidan enhanced IL-12 production in response to KK221, resulting in promoting IFN-γ production. In an in vivo study, Th1/Th2 immunobalance was most improved by oral administration of both fucoidan and KK221 to ovalbumin-immunized mice. These findings suggest that fucoidan can enhance a variety of beneficial effects of LAB on immune functions.
PMID: 22160132 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2011.854 Int J Mol Med. 2012 Mar;29(3):447-53. doi: 10.3892/ijmm.2011.854. Epub 2011 Dec 5. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Therapeutic importance of sulfated polysaccharides from seaweeds: updating the recent findings
Seema Patelcorresponding author
Abstract
Seaweeds, being prolific sources of bioactive components have garnered unprecedented interest in recent times. The complex polysaccharides from the brown, red and green seaweeds possess broad spectrum therapeutic properties. Especially, the sulfated polysaccharides, viz. fucans, carrageenans and ulvans have exhibited strong antioxidant, antitumor, immunostimulatory, anti-inflammatory, pulmonary fibrosis anticoagulant/antithrombotic, lipid lowering, antiviral, antibacterial, antiprotozoan, hyperplasia prevention, gastrointestinal, regenerative and nano medicine applications. Considering the immense biomedical prospects of sulfated polysaccharides, the profound and emerging functional properties published in recent times will be discussed here with experimental evidences. The limitations of the seaweed-derived sulfated polysaccharides in healthcare will be summarized. Strategies to maximize extraction and bioavailability will be pondered.
3 Biotech. 2012 Sep; 2(3): 171–185.
Published online 2012 Apr 15. doi: 10.1007/s13205-012-0061-9 PMCID: PMC3433884 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Therapeutic importance of sulfated polysaccharides from seaweeds: updating the recent findings
Seema Patelcorresponding author
Abstract
Seaweeds, being prolific sources of bioactive components have garnered unprecedented interest in recent times. The complex polysaccharides from the brown, red and green seaweeds possess broad spectrum therapeutic properties. Especially, the sulfated polysaccharides, viz. fucans, carrageenans and ulvans have exhibited strong antioxidant, antitumor, immunostimulatory, anti-inflammatory, pulmonary fibrosis anticoagulant/antithrombotic, lipid lowering, antiviral, antibacterial, antiprotozoan, hyperplasia prevention, gastrointestinal, regenerative and nano medicine applications. Considering the immense biomedical prospects of sulfated polysaccharides, the profound and emerging functional properties published in recent times will be discussed here with experimental evidences. The limitations of the seaweed-derived sulfated polysaccharides in healthcare will be summarized. Strategies to maximize extraction and bioavailability will be pondered.
3 Biotech. 2012 Sep; 2(3): 171–185.
Published online 2012 Apr 15. doi: 10.1007/s13205-012-0061-9
PMCID: PMC3433884 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov   more...