The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the throat, just below the Adam's apple. It makes and releases thyroid hormone, which is responsible for regulating the body's energy, temperature and metabolism, among other functions. Disorders of the thyroid include goiter, or an enlarged thyroid; hypothyroidism, or too little thyroid hormone; hyperthyroidism, or too much thyroid hormone; and thyroiditis, or inflammation of the thyroid gland. The current prescription medication treatments for thyroid disorders are often considered inadequate because their effectiveness in regulating the level of thyroid hormones is generally temporary, and needs almost constant correction. There are several herbal treatments for thyroid disorders, however, that are considered effective, according to the Institute for Traditional Medicine. Be sure to consult a physician prior to using herbs medicinally.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism in Chinese medicine is associated with underactive yin, which is the gentler of the complementary energies yin and yang. Symptoms associated with hyperthyroidism include heart palpitations, mental and physical hyperactivity, excessive sweating, elevated appetite and aversion to heat. Herbal supplements recommended based on the Chinese medical tradition include raw rehmannia and scrophularia, which are both herbs that nourish yin; and lycium fruit and tang-kuei, which nourish liver blood and control liver fire. Tribulus is an additional herb that is a tonifying and balances the thyroid, according to the Institute for Traditional Medicine.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is characterized by imbalanced chi and a deficiency of yang, which is the more dominant of the yin and yang energies, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine. The accepted herbal treatment for hypothyroidism is to administer qi and yang tonics, some of which are cinnamon, ginseng, astragalus, lycium fruit, epimedium, deer antler and salvia, according to the Institute for Traditional Medicine. Additionally, kelp is an iodine-rich herb that stimulates thyroid function. St. John's Wort is considered an effective treatment for depression associated with hypothyroidism, and cayenne pepper supplements improve blood circulation, which is depressed in cases of hypothyroidism.
Other Thyroid Disorders
Other thyroid disorders include thyroiditis, or inflammation of the thyroid gland, and goiter, enlargement of the thyroid gland. Consuming iodine-rich seaweed is a well-known, effective way to treat goiter because a deficiency of iodine almost always causes goiter, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Siberian ginseng, saw palmetto and black cohosh are useful herbs for treating thyroid inflammation.
