bladderwrack

bladderwrack

Herbal medicine
A seaweed which contains iodine, mannitol and mucilage; it has been used topically as an anti-inflammatory and for rheumatism, and internally for hypothyroidism (given its high iodine content), radiation exposure and heavy-metal intoxication.
 
Toxicity
Kelp should not be used in patients receiving thyroid medication, with thyroid disease or with hypertension.

Segen's Medical Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.

bladderwrack

, bladder wrack (blad'er-rak?)

A yellow-brown seaweed, Fucus vesiculosus, which contains significant quantities of iodine. It is used as an alternative medicine for a variety of proposed cures, e.g., of hypothyroidism, but its effectiveness has not been documented in controlled trials.

Synonym: Fucus vesiculosus

Medical Dictionary, © 2009 Farlex and Partners