Herbs that help the Thyroid behave

Adaptogens are essential in today’s day and age. We all live busy lives, we have the tools to make life easier but it seems that we cram more and more in and the result, is stress!

We all need as many tools in our health toolbox to combat stress in our daily life, especially amidst the ongoing pandemic! The crux is that addressing anxiety and uncertainty is key to wellness. While adaptogens do not eliminate stress per se, they work in a way to support the body to recover from stress. They adapt to supply the body with what it needs, whether that is detoxification, improving energy levels or helping our body to make some vitamins needed for stress management.

As a result then, we are better equipped to ward off pathogens because a relaxed and stress free state is the ideal state for a healthy immune system. Adaptogens are non-toxic herbs that prompt an adaptive stress response.

Rather than reach for anti anxiety or anti depressant medications, we can use adaptogens to support our body back into a calm and even state.

Ashwagandha

This is an evergreen plant that originates from Asia and Africa. It works wonders for people with thyroid conditions. It contains antioxidants which mop up free radicals in the body. Free radicals are highly reactive molecules that wreak havoc on the body systems. A diet high in antioxidants is the best way to ensure that your body is strong and can eliminate free radicals. Ashwagandha also has anti-inflammatory and antidepressant properties. It helps normalize thyroid hormone levels in cases of hypothyroidism.

Bladderwrack

This adaptogen comes from the sea! Sometimes called the ‘sea herb’. It is beneficial for both hyper and hypo thyroid states because of its high iodine content. Most of the iodine in bladderwrack is present as di-iodotyrosine, an immediate precursor of thyroid hormones thyroxine and tri-iodothyronine. For this reason it's an ideal sea vegetable choice for treating thyroid as it provides precursors for T3 and T4.

Ginseng

This is another popular adaptogen that is commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It helps boost energy and vitality and combats the fatigue that can be experienced when suffering from hypothyroidism.

If you are suffering with stress, caution is advised as Ginseng can be stimulating and may cause anxiety.

Bugleweed

This wonderful plant which has origins in America but was used in traditional European herbal medicine. It alleviates anxiety during and turbulent thyroid storms. It also calms the nerves. It reduces output of the thyroid-stimulating hormone from the pituitary, thereby mitigating thyroid level. Bugleweed is used to treat numerous maladies.

Melissa (lemon balm)

Also effective for hyperthyroidism. Traditionally this herb was used to reduce anxiety, promote deep sleep and enhance appetite. Some other remarkable adaptogens are holy basil (tulsi), maca powder which alleviates depression, and rhodiola which decreases stress, combats fatigue and boosts mood.

Medicinal Mushrooms

Cordyceps belongs to the family of medical mushrooms, others include Shiitake and Reishi. This is an exceptional antiviral, anti-tumor production, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory fungus. Note: only unadulterated forms of all of the aforementioned should be bought!

Lions Mane

This powerful mushroom deserves a paragraph all of its own. Neuroprotective with numerous benefits to the body. This powerful adaptogen is used to prevent neurodegeneration and improve the creation of brain and nervous system cells. A growing body of research is now available to show the impressive properties of this fungus.

Please consult an expert and don’t treat it like a prescription, go with how your body feels and take advice from a naturopath if possible. You don’t have to consume supplements and adaptogens like medicines, they aren’t meant to treat medical conditions. It is of paramount importance to heal the root cause of any thyroid disorder. 

Prescription drugs would be used as a last resort however they have their place, in the first instance if we can heal by using the wonderful compounds that Mother Nature has provided us with, then we can pave the way to healing our body back to homeostasis and great health.