How Herbs Can Affect Thyroid Disease

Many people look for natural alternatives to thyroid hormone replacement or anti-thyroid treatment. You may have heard herbs for hyperthyroidism and other conditions can improve thyroid symptoms. While there are no herbs that have thyroid hormone in them, some herbs have been scientifically studied as alternatives or add-ons to thyroid medication.

For the most part, if you do not have a nutritional deficiency, herbs and supplements will not resolve your thyroid condition—and some may cause serious health problems. However, some herbal supplements may help optimize your thyroid function by interacting with the hormones that are already present in your body.

If you are looking into herbal treatments, keep in mind that the effects they have on one type of thyroid disease are not likely to be the same for all types of thyroid disease. This article discusses herbs for hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, thyroid cancer, goiter, and iodine deficiency. It also offers tips on how to use these herbs safely.

Herbs to Prevent Thyroid Disease

Chamomile, sage, and mountain tea have all been associated with a decrease in benign and malignant thyroid disease, and this effect appears to be the strongest for chamomile tea. In one study published in 2015, consuming between 2 and 6 cups of these types of herbal tea per week was associated with a reduced incidence of thyroid disease. The reason for this association is not clear, however.

Green tea, interestingly, has been associated with a lower incidence of thyroid disease for some people, but a higher incidence of thyroid disease in others.

Herbs for Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is excessive thyroid hormone activity. Lycopus europaeus, also known as bugleweed, is an herb that has been shown to help reduce the symptoms of mild hyperthyroidism in human studies published in 2013. It may also reduce the symptoms of Graves' disease, an autoimmune type of hyperthyroidism.

Bugleweed is believed to act against the antibodies that cause Graves' disease, but it is not clear why it may reduce symptoms of hyperthyroidism even if you do not have this particular type. It comes in a liquid and a pill, and while it has been well tolerated in human studies, the ideal dose is not established.

In addition, a combination of Yingliu mixture and methimazole has been used for the treatment of Graves' disease in China. Methimazole is an antithyroid medication, and Yingliu mixture is a preparation of oysters, white mustard seed, and a variety of herbs and plants.

A number of studies that used a Yingliu mixture prepared in a laboratory have been carried out in China. Results consistently showed that clinical symptoms and thyroid tests were better with the combination than with the methimazole alone.

Herbs for Subclinical Hypothyroidism

Subclinical hypothyroidism is characterized by low thyroid hormone levels without symptoms.

Ashwagandha, also referred to as Withania somnifera and Indian ginseng, is derived from a nightshade plant. It is a traditional medicine used in Ayurveda practice that comes in a capsule and powder form. At an average dose of 600 milligrams (mg) per day, it has been shown to reduce thyroid hormone abnormalities in subclinical hypothyroidism in a few small human studies.

Herbs for Thyroid Tumors

There are many types of thyroid tumors, and some can be quite aggressive, requiring surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation treatment. Fucoidan, which is isolated from the Fucus vesiculosus seaweed plant, has been shown to help control the growth of thyroid tumor cells in a laboratory setting. It is not clear whether this will work in preventing thyroid tumor growth in humans.

Herbs for Goiters

A goiter is an enlarged thyroid gland. It can be a sign of hyperthyroidism, hyperthyroidism, or a thyroid tumor. Common selfheal, or Prunella vulgaris L. (Labiatae), is used to treat thyroid disease in traditional Chinese medicine.

A member of the mint family, common selfheal contains many active substances that can help protect the thyroid. As an antioxidant, it can help reduce oxidative stress. Combined with Western medicine, this herb may be able to improve goiter as well as other thyroid diseases.

Herbs for Iodine Deficiency

Your body needs iodine, an essential mineral, to produce thyroid hormones. Those who are deficient may be advised to increase iodine through diet or supplementation.

There are several types of iodine supplements, including a preparation described as "reduction of ¹³¹I," which is made of dried seaweed and other herbs and plants.

While restoring low iodine levels is important to thyroid function, such deficiency is very uncommon in the United States and you must be careful about over-consuming iodine either inadvertently or with the best of intentions.

Excessive levels of iodine can cause thyroid disease. They have also been shown to induce hypothyroidism in some people and hyperthyroidism in others. As such, it is best to approach taking iodine-containing herbs and supplements with caution and under the guidance of a healthcare professional.

Summary

Thyroid disease is a lifelong condition and the idea of herbal therapy can sound like a safe way to control your condition and your symptoms. At the current time, herbal remedies have only been found to be marginally effective in altering thyroid function.

As you consider herbal treatments for any medical condition, including thyroid disease, be wary of claims that any product can "balance" your system. With thyroid disease, the effects of "too high or too low" are both problematic, and there is no natural therapy that can simultaneously address both conditions.