Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHerbs to Prevent Thyroid DiseaseHerbs for HyperthyroidismHerbs for Subclinical HypothyroidismHerbs for Thyroid TumorsHerbs for GoitersHerbs for Iodine DeficiencyFAQ
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Herbs to Prevent Thyroid Disease
Herbs for Hyperthyroidism
Herbs for Subclinical Hypothyroidism
Herbs for Thyroid Tumors
Herbs for Goiters
Herbs for Iodine Deficiency
FAQ
Many people look for natural alternatives tothyroid hormone replacementor anti-thyroidtreatment. 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.
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.
Chamomile,sage, andmountain teahave all been associated with a decrease in benign and malignant thyroid disease, and this effect appears to be the strongest forchamomile 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.
Furthermore, this study reported that the duration of consumption of these herbs was inversely associated with these diseases.So, not only do these herbal teas help to ward off thyroid disease, but the longer you take them, the less chance you may have of developing thyroid problems.
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.
Hyperthyroidism is excessive thyroid hormone activity.Lycopus europaeus, also known asbugleweed,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 ofGraves' 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 ofYingliumixtureandmethimazolehas 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.
Ashwagandha, also referred to asWithania somniferaand Indian ginseng, is derived from a nightshade plant. It is a traditional medicine used inAyurvedapracticethat comes in a capsule and powder form. At an average dose of 600 milligrams (mg) per day, it has been shown to reduce thyroidhormone abnormalitiesin subclinical hypothyroidism in a few small human studies.
It is important to note that ashwagandha can trigger a severe form of hyperthyroidism known asthyrotoxicosis.
There are many types ofthyroid tumors, and some can be quite aggressive, requiring surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation treatment.Fucoidan, which is isolated from theFucus vesiculosusseaweedplant, 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.
Agoiteris an enlarged thyroid gland. It can be a sign of hyperthyroidism, hyperthyroidism, or a thyroid tumor.Common selfheal, orPrunella vulgarisL. (Labiatae), is used to treatthyroid 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 reduceoxidative stress. Combined with Western medicine, this herb may be able to improve goiter as well as other thyroid diseases.
Your body needsiodine, 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 of131I,” 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.
1:31What is Iodine and How Does the Supplement Work?
1:31
What is Iodine and How Does the Supplement Work?
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.
Iodine is an element found in seafood and dairy products and, in the United States, standard table salt and fortified foods. For that reason, it is rare for someone living in America to develop thyroid problems related to aniodine deficiency.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn MoreNutrition Tips for Thyroid Patients
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Riza E, Linos A, Petralias A, De martinis L, Duntas L, Linos D.The effect of Greek herbal tea consumption on thyroid cancer: a case-control study.Eur J Public Health.2015;25(6):1001-5. doi:10.1093/eurpub/ckv063Eiling R, Wieland V, Niestroj M.Improvement of symptoms in mild hyperthyroidism with an extract of Lycopus europaeus (Thyreogutt® mono).Wien Med Wochenschr. 2013;163(3-4):95-101. doi:10.1007/s10354-012-0167-zYang H, Cong Y, Wu T, et al.Clinical efficacy of Yingliu mixture combined with metimazole for treating diffuse goitre with hyperthyroidism and its impact on related cytokines.Pharm Biol.2017;55(1):258-263. doi:10.1080/13880209.2016.1260595Sharma AK, Basu I, Singh S.Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Subclinical Hypothyroid Patients: A Double-Blind, Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial. J Altern Complement Med. 2018;24(3):243-248. doi:10.1089/acm.2017.0183Shen HY, Li LZ, Xue KC, Hu DD, Gao YJ.Antitumor activity of fucoidan in anaplastic thyroid cancer via apoptosis and anti-angiogenesis.Mol Med Rep.2017;15(5):2620-2624. doi:10.3892/mmr.2017.6338Zhang W, Wuhan Q, Na M, Hu R, Mu Q, Bao X.Emerging therapeutic role ofPrunella vulgarisin thyroid disease.Chin Herb Med. 2022;14(3):403-413. doi:10.1016/j.chmed.2021.12.005Sun X, Shan Z, Teng W.Effects of increased iodine intake on thyroid disorders.Endocrinol Metab (Seoul). 2014;29(3):240–247. doi:10.3803/EnM.2014.29.3.240Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School.Healthy eating for a healthy thyroid.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Riza E, Linos A, Petralias A, De martinis L, Duntas L, Linos D.The effect of Greek herbal tea consumption on thyroid cancer: a case-control study.Eur J Public Health.2015;25(6):1001-5. doi:10.1093/eurpub/ckv063Eiling R, Wieland V, Niestroj M.Improvement of symptoms in mild hyperthyroidism with an extract of Lycopus europaeus (Thyreogutt® mono).Wien Med Wochenschr. 2013;163(3-4):95-101. doi:10.1007/s10354-012-0167-zYang H, Cong Y, Wu T, et al.Clinical efficacy of Yingliu mixture combined with metimazole for treating diffuse goitre with hyperthyroidism and its impact on related cytokines.Pharm Biol.2017;55(1):258-263. doi:10.1080/13880209.2016.1260595Sharma AK, Basu I, Singh S.Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Subclinical Hypothyroid Patients: A Double-Blind, Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial. J Altern Complement Med. 2018;24(3):243-248. doi:10.1089/acm.2017.0183Shen HY, Li LZ, Xue KC, Hu DD, Gao YJ.Antitumor activity of fucoidan in anaplastic thyroid cancer via apoptosis and anti-angiogenesis.Mol Med Rep.2017;15(5):2620-2624. doi:10.3892/mmr.2017.6338Zhang W, Wuhan Q, Na M, Hu R, Mu Q, Bao X.Emerging therapeutic role ofPrunella vulgarisin thyroid disease.Chin Herb Med. 2022;14(3):403-413. doi:10.1016/j.chmed.2021.12.005Sun X, Shan Z, Teng W.Effects of increased iodine intake on thyroid disorders.Endocrinol Metab (Seoul). 2014;29(3):240–247. doi:10.3803/EnM.2014.29.3.240Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School.Healthy eating for a healthy thyroid.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Riza E, Linos A, Petralias A, De martinis L, Duntas L, Linos D.The effect of Greek herbal tea consumption on thyroid cancer: a case-control study.Eur J Public Health.2015;25(6):1001-5. doi:10.1093/eurpub/ckv063Eiling R, Wieland V, Niestroj M.Improvement of symptoms in mild hyperthyroidism with an extract of Lycopus europaeus (Thyreogutt® mono).Wien Med Wochenschr. 2013;163(3-4):95-101. doi:10.1007/s10354-012-0167-zYang H, Cong Y, Wu T, et al.Clinical efficacy of Yingliu mixture combined with metimazole for treating diffuse goitre with hyperthyroidism and its impact on related cytokines.Pharm Biol.2017;55(1):258-263. doi:10.1080/13880209.2016.1260595Sharma AK, Basu I, Singh S.Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Subclinical Hypothyroid Patients: A Double-Blind, Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial. J Altern Complement Med. 2018;24(3):243-248. doi:10.1089/acm.2017.0183Shen HY, Li LZ, Xue KC, Hu DD, Gao YJ.Antitumor activity of fucoidan in anaplastic thyroid cancer via apoptosis and anti-angiogenesis.Mol Med Rep.2017;15(5):2620-2624. doi:10.3892/mmr.2017.6338Zhang W, Wuhan Q, Na M, Hu R, Mu Q, Bao X.Emerging therapeutic role ofPrunella vulgarisin thyroid disease.Chin Herb Med. 2022;14(3):403-413. doi:10.1016/j.chmed.2021.12.005Sun X, Shan Z, Teng W.Effects of increased iodine intake on thyroid disorders.Endocrinol Metab (Seoul). 2014;29(3):240–247. doi:10.3803/EnM.2014.29.3.240Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School.Healthy eating for a healthy thyroid.
Riza E, Linos A, Petralias A, De martinis L, Duntas L, Linos D.The effect of Greek herbal tea consumption on thyroid cancer: a case-control study.Eur J Public Health.2015;25(6):1001-5. doi:10.1093/eurpub/ckv063
Eiling R, Wieland V, Niestroj M.Improvement of symptoms in mild hyperthyroidism with an extract of Lycopus europaeus (Thyreogutt® mono).Wien Med Wochenschr. 2013;163(3-4):95-101. doi:10.1007/s10354-012-0167-z
Yang H, Cong Y, Wu T, et al.Clinical efficacy of Yingliu mixture combined with metimazole for treating diffuse goitre with hyperthyroidism and its impact on related cytokines.Pharm Biol.2017;55(1):258-263. doi:10.1080/13880209.2016.1260595
Sharma AK, Basu I, Singh S.Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Subclinical Hypothyroid Patients: A Double-Blind, Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial. J Altern Complement Med. 2018;24(3):243-248. doi:10.1089/acm.2017.0183
Shen HY, Li LZ, Xue KC, Hu DD, Gao YJ.Antitumor activity of fucoidan in anaplastic thyroid cancer via apoptosis and anti-angiogenesis.Mol Med Rep.2017;15(5):2620-2624. doi:10.3892/mmr.2017.6338
Zhang W, Wuhan Q, Na M, Hu R, Mu Q, Bao X.Emerging therapeutic role ofPrunella vulgarisin thyroid disease.Chin Herb Med. 2022;14(3):403-413. doi:10.1016/j.chmed.2021.12.005
Sun X, Shan Z, Teng W.Effects of increased iodine intake on thyroid disorders.Endocrinol Metab (Seoul). 2014;29(3):240–247. doi:10.3803/EnM.2014.29.3.240
Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School.Healthy eating for a healthy thyroid.
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