When talking about or considering natural remedies for Graves’ Disease and Hyperthyroidism, please, have in mind that they cannot substitute any medication and that’s not their purpose. The goal of using natural remedies for hyperthyroidism is to supplement and help your healing process.
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis). The “officinalis”, in all plant names stands for “officially recognized as a medicinal herb”. Lemon balm has been used for centuries to relieve anxiety and sleeplessness; it has mild sedative effect, relieves menstrual cramps, fights cold sores, relaxes nerves, and eases indigestion. The flavonoids and polyphenolics found in the Lemon balm have been identified as inhibiting the excessive thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Drink as tea, or buy in capsules. Your choice.
Chamomile Tea. Chamomile tea boosts the immune system and fight infections associated with colds, reduces menstrual cramps in women, relaxes the nerves, reduces inflammation. Chamomile tea helps relieve rheumatism as well. You can drink it cold or hot. The chamomile tea bags (refrigerated) are used to relieve swelling associated with Thyroid Eye Disease/ Graves’ eye disease. It’s great for sleeping problems (insomnia) and anxiety.
Valerian Roots Tea (Valeriana officinalis, Valerianaceae). The tea is used as a sleeping aid, and it has a sedative effect, so make sure you are not drinking it before driving. It can be mixed with other herbs as well.
Nettle tea for your nerves and your hair. This is one of my favorite natural remedies for hyperthyroidism. As a tea it is very pleasant to drink cold or hot. After preparing I just put in bottles and keep it in refrigerator. I drink that instead of water, no sugar added, but you can add some honey if you can’t drink it just like that. Nettle is rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals, anti-cancer selenium, immune-enhancing sulphur, memory-enhancing zinc, diabetes-chasing chromium, and bone-building boron. A quart of nettle infusion contains more than 1000 milligrams of calcium, 15000 IU of vitamin A, 760 milligrams of vitamin K, 10% protein, and large amounts of most B vitamins, as reported by Susun Weed, one of my favorite herbalists. You can also use nettle tea for strong hair (internal and external). It also helps regulating the menstrual flow, especially if you have amenorrhea. It restores mood, replenishes energy, and guarantees sound sleep. Who doesn’t need that?
Cruciferous vegetables and goitrogenic fruits. Isoflavones and isothiocynates, found in goitrogenous foods and cruciferous vegetables appear to naturally inhibit the thyroid hormone overproduction, so really- start eating them, and the sooner and the more the better. An example of such food products are: Broccoli, Brussel sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Peaches, all leafy green vegetable.
Aloe Vera: Aloe Vera contains a very important substance, called acemannan, found in its sugar part and it acts as an immune modulator, especially for the thyroid antibodies. It has the power and ability to slow down or enhance the immune system response. In our case- should be able to manage the immune system to recognize its own cells and not attack them. It acts however it is required by the immune system! It also has a huge anti-inflammatory effect regarding Thyroid Eye Disease.
Motherwort (Leonurus cardiac) – it is a member of the mint family. You can find this plant pretty much everywhere on the planet, in all continents. It can be also cultivated in your garden. Motherwort balances the hormones generally and helps palpitations; it strengthens the heart beat without increasing the pulse.
Hawthorn (Crataegus species) has been used to treat heart disease as far back as the 1st century. By the early 1800s, American doctors were using it to treat circulatory disorders and respiratory illnesses. It’s found to be beneficial for heart muscle weakness, for pressure, tightness in the chest and for mild arrhythmia.
Vitamin B complex (all Vitamins in B group); Vitamin C- for the immune system; Vitamin A and Vitamin E for your hair and skin. Make sure you take it with food or after meal.
Selenium– according to the researchers, selenium deficiency appears to contribute to the development and maintenance of autoimmune thyroiditis because of its effect on the function of selenium-dependent enzymes, which can modulate the immune system. Selenium supplementation with 200mcg of sodium selenite may improve the inflammatory activity seen in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis, but whether this effect is specific for autoimmune thyroiditis or may also be effective in other organ-specific autoimmune diseases remains to be investigated. Selenium supplementation may lower free radical activity, which contributes to inflammation.
L- Carnitine. The most recent discoveries regarding L- carnitine for hyperthyroidism are done by the Italian endocrinologist Dr. Salvatore Benvenga and his colleagues in 2004. By examining the results of supplementation on Group A, the researchers studied the ability of carnitine to treat the effects of hyperthyroidism. To date, clinical trials have shown that doses of 2,000-4,000 mg/day of L-carnitine are helpful in individuals who suffer from hyperthyroidism. Future studies may uncover similar benefits of other carnitine formulations such as acetyl-L-carnitine, acetyl-L-carnitine arginate, and propionyl-L-carnitine, along with the doses needed to match the efficacy provided by 2,000-4,000 mg L-carnitine.
Copper. Although supportive data is limited, a report from a study group of hyperthyroid women suggests that copper status should be investigated in women with Hyperthyroidism. As it was reported “Virtually all patients in the hyperthyroidism group have found that copper supplementation reduced their symptoms, usually within hours or a few days at most. Most have reported that within three to six months of beginning copper supplementation, they have been able to significantly reduce their intake of antithyroid drugs. While copper is the big story in hyperthyroidism, it is not the whole story. If it were, it would have been discovered years ago. Proper copper metabolism interrelates with and depends upon many other nutrients.” [John Johnson, iThyroid.com]
Flax seed oil- it is the most abundant plant source of omega-3 fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid omega-3. The seeds and oil of the flax plant contain substances which are known to promote good health. Flax seed oil is good for: Circulatory System, Immune System, Reproductive System, Nervous System. There are a lot of reports that it can help your Thyroid Eye Disease and practically you can see results in 1 or 2 weeks. The recommended dose is 2 capsules of 1000 mg per day (at least). Flax Seed and Flax Seed oil are rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an essential fatty acid that appears to be beneficial for a lot of diseases.
Honey. One of the safest natural remedies for hyperthyroidism Grave’s disease that I regularly use for all purposes is honey. Honey helps the nervous system and not only. Lemon juice and honey is a good remedy in cases of hypertension, insomnia, and nervous conditions. Dissolve a spoonful of top quality honey in a glass of mineral water and add the juice of half a lemon. The beverage is pleasant and nutritious. Honey and insomnia: mix a cup of warm milk with a spoon of honey before going to bed. Sleep like a baby.
Enjoy you natural remedies for Graves’ Disease and Hyperthyroidism, but before taking or making any of them make sure you are not allergic, especially of you consume them in tincture (it may contain alcohol). If in any doubt, please consult an herbalist or your physician. Most of the remedies can be found in organic food stores, or even in regular food stores over the counter. Supplements- please, be extra careful with them and first do a test and check if your body is lacking any of them or not. Don’t forget that we are all different and need different things, and at different dosages to feel well.