Laminaria

                                                                       Laminaria

Laminaria is a genus of brown seaweed (kelp) found in cold ocean waters, especially in the North Atlantic and North Pacific. It’s best known for its medical use as a cervical dilator, but also has important ecological, nutritional, and industrial roles.

Laminaria contains:

• Alginate (alginic acid) – a gelatinous polysaccharide used in food and pharmaceuticals

• Iodine – naturally rich, used in supplements

• Fucoidan – a sulfated polysaccharide with possible anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties

• Mannitol – a sugar alcohol

• Vitamins – especially B1, B12, and C

Medical Uses Of Laminaria 

Medical Use: Cervical Dilator

Dried Laminaria stems are shaped into small rods.

These rods swell by absorbing water from cervical tissue, causing mechanical dilation.

Common in gynecology, especially before:

Surgical abortion

Endometrial biopsy

IUD insertion in difficult cases

 

Laminaria : Natural Mechanical Cervical Dilator 

Theory To Practice 

Current Events

Snapshot

Laminaria Cervical Dilator is a natural mechanical cervical dilator made from the dried stems of Laminaria japonica or Laminaria digitata, types of seaweed (kelp). It's used in gynecology and obstetrics to gently dilate the cervix, particularly before procedures like:

Surgical abortion (especially in second trimester)

Dilation and curettage (D&C)

Insertion of intrauterine devices (IUDs) in nulliparous women

Labor induction in certain cases (less common today)