🌸Korean Traditional Medicine

Sea Mustard (Miyeok)

seaweed

Sea Mustard (Miyeok)

Wakame (Undaria pinnatifida) is a species of kelp native to cold, temperate coasts of the northwest Pacific Ocean. As an edible seaweed, it has a subtly sweet, but distinctive and strong flavour and satiny texture. It is most often served in soups and salads.

Conditions addressed

ThyroidBone HealthPostpartum RecoveryDetoxHeart Health

How to use

2–3 tbsp rehydrated daily
  • Add to soups, salads, or rice dishes.
  • Soak dried seaweed in water for 10–15 minutes before use.

Interactions & contraindications

Processed by the liver

Watch for: Any medication that is also processed by liver enzymes (ask your pharmacist — this includes many common prescriptions)

Can alter how quickly the body clears certain medications, raising or lowering their effective dose.

May have a diuretic effect

Watch for: Diuretic medications and lithium

Additive fluid loss can affect electrolyte balance and change how the body clears lithium.

May affect blood pressure

Watch for: Antihypertensive medications (ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, diuretics)

Combined use can push blood pressure too high or too low — monitor readings if you take blood pressure medication.

May thin the blood

Watch for: Anticoagulants (warfarin), antiplatelets (aspirin, clopidogrel), and other blood-thinning herbs or supplements (ginkgo, garlic, fish oil, vitamin E)

Combining blood-thinning substances can increase bleeding risk, including before surgery or dental work.