Seahorse, a name in traditional Chinese medicine. It refers to the dried bodies of animals from the genus Hippocampus in the family Syngnathidae, including the striped seahorse (Hippocampus kelloggi Jordan et Snyder), the spiny seahorse (Hippocampus histrix Kaup), the large seahorse (Hippocampus kuda Bleeker), the three-spotted seahorse (Hippocampus trimaculatus Leach), or the small seahorse (Hippocampus japonicus Kaup).This herb has a sweet and salty taste and a warm nature; it enters the Liver and Kidney meridians. It has the effects of warming the kidneys and strengthening yang, as well as dispersing nodules and reducing swelling. It is primarily used to treat impotence, enuresis, shortness of breath due to kidney deficiency, masses and accumulations, and injuries from falls or blows; when applied externally, it can treat boils, swellings, and carbuncles.