Many people with hypothyroidism, including those with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, look to take nutritional supplements and herbs to help manage their symptoms naturally, or as part of a natural thyroid treatment protocol in an attempt to cure their condition. As I’ve mentioned many times in the past, it takes more to restore one’s health back to normal than just taking supplements and herbs. And even when it comes to symptom management, one usually won’t see much of a difference simply by taking some supplements and/or herbs.
On the other hand, when combined with other factors, taking certain nutritional supplements and herbal remedies can be very helpful. In this post I’m going to focus on three herbs which can really be helpful to someone who has hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. Once again, taking these herbs alone probably won’t make much of a difference. However, if you eat well, take certain nutritional supplements, and modify other lifestyle factors, then these herbs can play an important role in restoring your health back to normal. And even if you have a condition that is incurable, you no doubt still want to obtain optimal health, and these herbs can still help you achieve this.
So let’s take a look at these three powerful, and highly effective herbs:
Hypothyroid Herb #1: Eleuthero. This isn’t an herb that directly affects the thyroid gland itself, but it does play a huge role in hypothyroidism for most people (and hyperthyroidism as well, as this was one of the herbs I personally took when diagnosed with Graves’ Disease). Many people with hypothyroidism have weak adrenals, which frequently is caused by chronic stress. Eleuthero does a wonderful job of helping the person adapt with stress, and it also helps to boost the immune system. Most people can take this supplement long term if necessary, which is a good thing, as frequently it will take at least a few months to fully recover from severe adrenal problems.
Hypothyroid Herb #2: Bladderwrack. This is a wonderful herb that directly affects the thyroid gland, as it helps improve thyroid function, as well as the overall metabolism of the body. There are numerous places where you can obtain this herb, but just as is the case with any herb or supplement you purchase, you want to make sure you use one that is of high quality. Also, this herb is not to be used in people with hyperthyroidism, and is also contraindicated in pregnancy and lactation.
Hypothyroid Herb #3: Ashwagandha. Yet another great herb that is beneficial for people who have hypothyroidism. This can be especially powerful when combined with Bladderwrack. In addition to the effects it has on the thyroid gland, Ashwagandha also has many other benefits, as it helps one deal well with environmental stress, benefits the immune system, and is an excellent herb to use in children as well.
You of course should consult with a competent natural endocrine doctor before taking any of these herbs I just discussed. Although they are natural products, this doesn’t mean they are completely harmless. Plus, even if you don’t experience any harmful side effects, the odds of you successfully restoring your health by self-treating your condition is extremely slim. Once again, your goal is to achieve optimal health, and the best way to accomplish this is by consulting with an expert.
Also, I briefly spoke about the quality of the herbs you purchase, and I’ll mention it quickly here again. There is no shortage of low quality herbs you can purchase. My goal here isn’t to pitch any specific company, but just to make you aware that not all herbs are the same, and as a result you really do need to make sure you are purchasing a quality product if you want to receive optimal results.
In summary, if you have hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, there are many different nutritional supplements and herbs which can help. So while the three I listed above aren’t the only ones you might need to take, if you do decide to follow a natural treatment protocol, there is a good chance that one or more of them will be recommended to you by the natural endocrine doctor you speak with. Just remember that while these herbs can be highly effective, in order to receive the full benefits of them you will need to modify your overall lifestyle, as just taking these herbs alone won’t restore your health back to normal.