5 Natural Herbs for Every Thyroid Condition

The thyroid gland is one of the internal functions of the body that is often taken for granted until it starts to become a cause for concern. The thyroid gland produces hormones that affect most of the metabolic processes within the body. It must produce the adequate amount to ensure that the system functions normally. If it produces too many hormones (hyperthyroidism) or too little hormones (hypothyroidism), it throws the whole mechanism out of sync.

Although most problems related to the thyroid can be managed and treated easily, it should be noted that thyroid cancer is also a distinct possibility. According to the American Cancer Society, there were 62,450 new cases of thyroid cancer in 2015 alone, with approximately 76% female patients. There were also 1,950 deaths from this disease with the male counterparts accounting for 45% of the total.

Natural Herb Treatment

Moving away from all the doom and gloom, many previous and current patients with different thyroid conditions attest to the fact that natural herbs can help to treat this disease effectively and increase the chances of a full recovery. Listed below are 5 of the most effective natural herbs that are tried and tested to cure any thyroid conditions.

Bladderwrack

As proven by many studies, the iodine content in this natural herb can help to restore thyroid function to its normal range. While it might not be powerful enough to totally treat any thyroid condition, health experts normally recommend that Bladderwrack should be paired with other natural herbs such as Gum Guggul or Blue Flag root. All of these herbs contain different compounds that can help to restore various components of the thyroid function. An effective combination can help to treat Hashimoto’s disease and subclinical hypothyroidism. However, it should be noted that pregnant women or mothers who are still breastfeeding their newborns are advised against taking this natural herb as a treatment for their thyroid condition.

Echinacea

Echinacea is perhaps one of the most popular natural herbs to treat any thyroid condition. It also contains the hidden benefit of boosting the immune system, hence its immense popularity with patients of the Graves’ Disease and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. An added incentive of this natural herb is that it can be easily purchased in any supermarket, nutritional stores or pharmacies. Nonetheless, the value-for-money principle applies here. Do not purchase substandard quality of Echinacea just to save a few extra dollars as it will not provide the required benefit to help treat any thyroid condition. Rather, look out for authentic and high-end Echinacea that can offer effective properties for the treatment of thyroid impairment.

Ashwagandha

This natural herb can help to treat thyroid and autoimmune thyroid conditions but on the other hand, it is also an effective stress buster. It helps to reduce stress levels by specifically targeting the Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal axis or HPA-axis. Interactions along the HPA-axis are a major part of the neuroendocrine system and regulates the stress reaction and other body processes such as digestion, mood, and emotions. Moreover, the Ashwagandha herb also contains anti-inflammatory properties that provide general health benefits.

Eleuthero

The Eleuthero herb can be considered as an all-in-one treatment for thyroid conditions as it can be taken by patients with hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Graves’ disease and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. Similar to the Ashwagandha herb, this targets the HPA-axis and helps to effectively regulate stress levels and offer support to the immune system. Additionally, people with thyroid conditions tend to suffer from adrenal problems as well. The Eleuthero herb can help to treat both conditions together as it also provides benefits to the adrenal gland.

Licorice

The use of licorice as an herbal remedy has been around for many years. It can be used to treat a wide variety of illnesses and diseases. This includes any thyroid conditions as well. More specifically, patients with hypothyroidism benefit the most when prescribed with small and safe doses of licorice. This is made possible by licorice’s ability to increase the production of cortisol. Most patients with hypothyroidism suffer from a lack of cortisol, and the consumption of licorice helps to restore this reduced production level back to its normal standards. Indirectly improving the condition of hypothyroidism.

Conclusion

The prevalence of thyroid conditions is not a worldwide phenomenon but its effects have the potential to cause devastating damage to the body. While there can be quite a number of thyroid conditions that can affect different individuals, health professionals have identified a few natural herbs that are effective in treating almost any thyroid illnesses. While it might be tempting to participate in homemade remedies based on the consumption of these natural herbs, individuals are advised to consult with a doctor if their thyroid condition persists for a prolonged period of time.

I would like to thank Ella James for this valuable information and for writing this quest post. If you would like to learn more about Ella please check out her information below. 

Author Bio: Ella James is an independent researcher and writer. She has contributed to many online websites related to general health and fitness. Her interests include reading and writing about day-to-day health, fitness, and skin care problems. Connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.