Let’s talk about your thyroid. You know, the small butterfly shaped gland in your neck. Well, don’t let its size fool you. It’s responsible for some pretty important stuff. Like regulating your heart rate, body temperature, and your metabolism. In fact, your thyroid produces hormones that influence every single cell in your body. So yeah, it’s kind of a big deal. Which is why keeping it healthy or healing it when it’s sick is a must if you want to look and feel your best.
Now, the health of your thyroid depends on several factors. Yes, this includes your DNA. But the most important factors are your diet and lifestyle. That’s right! The power is in your hands.
Media often focuses on a condition known as hypothyroidism. This occurs when your thyroid is sluggish. It fails to produce enough hormones to go around. Some common symptoms include:
But hyperthyroidism is also a condition affecting millions. It’s associated with an overactive thyroid gland that produces excess hormones. Graves’ disease, an autoimmune condition, is the most common form of hyperthyroidism. A few common symptoms include: ● weight loss
● diarrhea
● anxiety
● irritability
● fatigue
Healing from hyperthyroidism must include treating the root cause of the disease. Otherwise, you’re only masking symptoms.
This approach requires specific testing to identify what’s causing the disease. Some common culprits include:
● gluten (protein in wheat, barley and rye)
● heavy metals
● certain types of infections
● gut dysfunction
But while you’re working on the root cause, there are some natural remedies and herbs that can help.
Natural Remedies & Herbs for Hyperthyroid Support
Adaptogens
When under stress or feeling anxious, adaptogens are herbs that can help you cope better. This is important because stress wreaks havoc on your thyroid. So anything you can do to lower your stress will help protect your thyroid and give it a chance to heal. Plus, anxiety is a common and unpleasant symptom of hyperthyroidism.
Ashwagandha is an adaptogen that possesses much needed calming qualities. This study found that participants treated with ashwagandha experienced a significant reduction in stress, anxiety, depression, and insomnia when compared to a placebo group.
Specifically, participants in the ashwagandha group reported a 44% reduction in perceived stress. But the placebo group only experienced a 5.5% drop.
The ashwagandha group also reported a 69.7% reduction in anxiety and insomnia. But the placebo group only reached 11.6%.
And the stress hormone cortisol among those treated with ashwagandha dropped 29.7%. But the placebo group only experienced a 7.9% reduction.
What big differences! Wouldn’t you agree?
