A wide variety of substances have the ability to alter thyroid function, some of which are naturally occurring in foods, such as cabbage, and others are introduced into the environment as industrial waste. A combination of your genetics and history of exposure to toxins such as heavy metals, chronic allergies and radiation determine your risk for developing thyroid problems. Some herbs are purported to help an over- or underactive thyroid regain healthy function. Check with your doctor before taking herbs to treat a medical condition.
Multiple Effects
A variety of herbs offer assistance with thyroid function, says registered herbalist Alan Keith Tillotson in his book "The One Earth Herbal Sourcebook: Everything You Need to Know About Chinese, Western and Ayurvedic Herbal Traditions." Some herbs, including coleus root and guggul gum have stimulatory properties, while other herbs, such as bugleweed, holy basil and lemon balm inhibit an overactive thyroid. Betel leaf, Tillotson says, can perform either function, depending on the dose you use. Stoneseed and the Chinese herbs xing ren seed and zi cao root also have the ability to reduce thyroid swelling.
Bitter Herbs
Bitter herbs such as dandelion, taraxacum and gentiana are helpful for stimulating a sluggish thyroid, according to naturopath Asa Hershoff, author of the book "Herbal Remedies: A Quick and Easy Guide to Common Disorders and Their Herbal Treatments." These herbs also boost metabolism and may help lower your cholesterol levels. Additionally, their benefits to the digestive system include strengthening the liver and gall bladder. Bugleweed calms an overactive thyroid, reduces exophthalmos -- a condition in which connective tissue deposits in the eye sockets cause the eyes to protrude -- and has sedative and anti-inflammatory effects.
Horsetail, Oat Straw, Alfalfa and Gotu Kola
Make a tea from equal parts of horsetail, oat straw, alfalfa and gotu kola and drink a cup three to four times per day to support thyroid function, says medical doctor Robert Anderson, author of the book "Quick Access Consumer Guide to Conditions, Herbs & Supplements." Alternatively, 20 to 30 drops three times per day of a tincture form of these herbs can be used. Kelp and bladderwrack -- a type of seaweed -- can be eaten as foods or taken as supplements to support thyroid function by virtue of their high iodine content.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm could help thyroid function by increasing metabolic rate, according to Dr. Holly Phaneuf, author of the book "Herbs Demystified: A Scientist Explains How the Most Common Herbal Remedies Really Work." Lemon balm may also have the opposite effect of interfering with thyroid function by binding to thyroid-stimulating hormone and preventing it from being used. As a result, lemon balm may be best avoided in some situations. Consult your doctor about using lemon balm to treat a thyroid condition.
References
- "The One Earth Herbal Sourcebook"; Alan Keith Tillotson; 2001
- "Herbal Remedies: A Quick and Easy Guide to Common Disorders and Their Herbal Cures"; Asa Hershoff, Andrea Rotelli; 2001
- "Quick Access Consumer Guide to Conditions, Herbs & Supplements"; Robert Arthur Anderson; 2000
- "Herbs Demystified: A Scientist Explains How the Most Common Herbal Remedies"; Holly Phaneuf; 2005
