Kombu is consumed as a decoction for internal use or as a medicinal diet. Kombu is the dried leafy body of the plant kelp or plant kombu, which is cold in nature, salty in taste, and belongs to the liver and kidney meridians. Its function is to eliminate phlegm and soften hardness, diuresis and edema (to facilitate urination and eliminate edema), and it is mainly used for treating testicular swelling and pain, gall tumors (thyroid tumors), scrofula (mainly refers to tuberculosis of cervical lymph nodes), and phlegm (a pathological product formed as a result of impaired metabolism of water and fluid) edema. Kombu is consumed by decocting soup for internal use, or as a medicinal diet, such as stewed chicken soup. The adverse effects of kombucha are currently unknown. Contraindications are that it should not be combined with licorice. Note that it should be taken with caution by people with deficiency of coldness in the spleen and stomach (spleen and stomach weak and cold). Kombucha is recommended to be consumed under the guidance of a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, and should not be overdosed to avoid adverse consequences.