Certain dietary supplements may be helpful for improving your thyroid gland health. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, your thyroid gland, which is in the front of your neck, is a small gland that consists of two lobes connected by a thin layer of tissue. If you have thyroid disease, your thyroid may be over-active or low-functioning. Before taking supplements to help to improve your thyroid function, talk with your doctor about possible side effects, proper dosage and potential drug interactions.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm, also known as Melissa officinalis, is an herbal supplement that may be helpful in treating your over-active thyroid gland. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, lemon balm, a member of the mint family, has been used since the Middle Ages to help treat numerous health problems. Lemon balm is a perennial herb native to Europe, although it now grows throughout the world. Lemon balm has a sweet, sour and lemon-like taste and possesses slightly warming tendencies. Supplements containing lemon balm are made from the plants' leaves. Dr. Sharol Tilgner, a naturopathic physician and author of the book "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth," states that lemon balm is used to help treat the signs and symptoms associated with hyperthyroidism, including anxiety, restlessness, heart palpitations, headache and irritability. If you have hypothyroidism or if you are pregnant, you should avoid taking supplements containing lemon balm.
Bugleweed
Dr. William A. Mitchell, Jr., a naturopathic physician and author of the book "Plant Medicine in Practice," states that bugleweed, also known as Lycopus virginicus, may help to calm your thyroid gland and treat hyperthyroid conditions. Tilgner notes that Bugleweed is an astringent, mild gastric tonic and sedative that impairs the ability of thyroxine -- the principle hormone secreted by your thyroid gland -- to convert to T3, or thyroid hormone, in your liver. Bugleweed also disrupts iodine metabolism in your thyroid gland by inhibiting thyroid stimulating hormone, a hormone produced and secreted by your anterior pituitary gland. Bugleweed is a flowering herbaceous plant native to Europe, North America and certain parts of Asia. Bugleweed belongs to the mint family, has a bitter taste and possesses cooling and drying tendencies. Practitioners of botanical medicine use the aerial parts of the plant medicinally. Don't take bugleweed without your doctor's approval.
Bladderwrack
Bladderwrack is an iodine-containing seaweed that grows in the waters off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the United States. Bladderwrack, also known as Fucus vesiculosus, has a salty and mucilaginous taste, possesses cooling tendencies and thrives in locations containing sheltered shores. The plants' fronds are used for medicinal purposes, including hypothyroidism or your low-functioning thyroid gland. According to Tilgner, bladderwrack contains a significant amount of minerals and trace elements and is helpful in treating hypothyroidism caused by a lack of iodine. Ed Smith, an herbalist and author of the book "Therapeutic Herb Manual," states that bladderwrack is particularly helpful in treating your under-active thyroid and your accompanying sluggish metabolism. If you have hyperthyroidism, notes Tilgner, you should avoid taking supplements containing bladderwrack. Talk to your doctor before using bladderwrack to treat any condition.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Thyroid Gland
- University of Michigan Health System: Lemon Balm
- "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth"; Sharol Tilgner, N.D.; 1999
- "Plant Medicine in Practice"; William A. Mitchell Jr., N.D.; 2003
- "Therapeutic Herb Manual"; Ed Smith; 2007
