12 DIY Home Remedies for Hyperthyroidism

There is a gland in the front of your neck called thyroid. Its main function is to regulate body metabolism by secreting the hormones T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine). It has some effects on your muscles, bones, heart and cholesterol too. When this thyroid gland becomes overactive, it begins secreting excessive amounts of T3 and T4. If you lose weight quickly and without any reason, experience excessive sweating, feel a fast heartbeat or become nervous and moody, you may have an overactive thyroid. There may be different causes of hyperthyroidism. Most of the people suffer from hyperthyroidism due to Graves’ disease in which the body’s immune system itself attacks the thyroid gland. Sometimes, it is also caused by a swollen thyroid (goiter) or small growths in the thyroid gland known as thyroid nodules. Whatever may be the cause, if you leave your hyperthyroidism untreated, it can lead to heart and bone problems and sometimes to a condition called thyroid storm or thyrotoxic crisis.

Home Remedies for Hyperthyroidism

1. Have Foods Rich in Goitrogens

Goitrogens are natural substance found in various foods, especially in cruciferous vegetables. Goitrogenic foods work like natural antithyroid drugs. They slow down the thyroid through various means. They may inhibit your body’s ability to use iodine or stop the process through which iodine becomes thyroid hormones. Sometimes, they may actually inhibit the secretion of thyroid hormone. Here is a list of foods with goitrogens that patients of hyperthyroidism can have. They are more beneficial when you have them raw.

• Bok choy
• Broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Collards
• Daikon
• Kale
• Millet
• Mustard
• Peaches
• Peanuts
• Pine nuts
• Radishes
• Rutabaga
• Spinach
• Strawberries
• Turnips
• Watercress

2. Bugleweed for Hyperthyroidism

Bugleweed (Lycopusvirginica) is a good remedy for hyperthyroidism, especially when your symptoms include shortness of breath, palpitations, and shaking.. This herb works to reduce the amount of hormone produced by your thyroid. Lithospermic acid present in bugleweed decreases the levels of some hormones including the thyroid hormone thyroxine (T3). This acid also prevents antibodies from binding to the cells in your overactive thyroid gland. This helps prevent their burning out. Many studies have shown that it helps decrease TSH and T4 levels. It also impairs synthesis of thyroid hormone synthesis. Bugleweed also contains the conversion of T4 to T3. You can make bugleweed tea or use bugleweed tincture to cure your hyperthyroidism.

1st Way to Use Bugleweed for Hyperthyroidism: Tea

Get this:

• Dried bugleweed herb- ½ – 1 tsp Or Bugleweed tea bag- 1
• Boiling water- 1 cup
• Honey (optional)- 1-2 tsp

Do this:

• Place the dried herb or tea bag in a cup.
• Pour boiling water over it.
• Let it steep for 8-10 minutes.
• Strain and let it cool down.
• Have it once daily.

2nd Way to Use Bugleweed for Hyperthyroidism: Tincture

Get this:

• Bugleweed tincture- 4-8 drops
• Water or Fruit Juice – 1 tsp

Do this:

• Add bugleweed tincture drops to water or juice.
• Place this solution under your tongue.
• Repeat 3 times a day.
• Be patient with this treatment. It may take anywhere between 1-2 years to cure hyperthyroidism. However, you may begin feeling a little better within a few days.

Precaution: Pregnant and nursing women should not take bugleweed herb. If having thyroid medicines, don’t have this herb.

3. Lemon Balm for Hyperthyroidism

Lemon balm, like bugleweed, belongs to mint family. It has been used traditionally for curing nervousness, migraine headaches, hypertension and hyperthyroidism. Some in vitro studies have shown lemon balm to block hormone receptors that stimulate thyroid. This inhibits the binding of TSH to the thyroid tissues. It also inhibits the binding of autoantibodies in Graves disease. You may have lemon balm tea or tincture. It is also available in capsule forms. For proper doses, you should consult with a medical herbalist. Here is how you can make lemon balm tea.

How to Make Lemon Balm Tea?

Get this:

• Lemon balm herb- 2 tbs
• Boiling water- 1 cup

Do this:

• Place lemon balm in a pot.
• Pour hot water over it.
• Steep it for 5-10 minutes.
• Strain and let it cool down.
• Have 1-2 cups a day.

[Also Read: How to Treat Hypo and Hyper Thyroid with Natural Remedies]

4. Motherwort for Hyperthyroidism

Motherwort, yet again a herb from mint family, is good for hyperthyroidism. It doesn’t directly works on thyroid gland or hormones but helps bring balance by alleviating symptoms related to hyperactive thyroid such as heart palpitations, anxiety, sleeplessness and sometimes depressed appetite too. This herb can be thought of as a natural beta blocker which helps with such conditions as high heart rate and palpitations. It can be taken as tea or tincture

1st Way to Use Motherwort for Hyperthyroidism: Tea

Get this:

• Motherwort- 1 tbsp
• Hot water- 1 cup

Do this:

• Place the herb in a pot.
• Pour hot water over it.
• Steep for 15-20 minutes.
• Strain and let it cool.
• Have 1-2 times a day.

2nd Way to Use Motherwort for Hyperthyroidism: Tincture

Take 10-20 drops of Motherwort tincture in a small amount of water twice daily.

Precaution: If you are taking heart medications, consult your doctor

5. Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Hyperthyroidism

Fatty acids are the main components of our cell membranes and also have an important role to play in regulating inflammation through prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are like hormones with many important functions in our body including cell growth. Inflammation has to be regulated properly if the autoimmune conditions like Graves’ Disease has to be kept in check. If you lack these fatty acids, it becomes difficult to make your thyroid gland normal again. Deficiency of fatty acids will lead to inflammation which can further trigger the autoimmune response and thus release thyroid antibodies. Both omega 3 fatty acids and omega 6 fatty acids produce good prostaglandins. While Omega 6 is also essential for various body functions, they need to be balanced with enough Omega 3 fatty acids. However, you need more omega-3 fatty acids than omega-6. And why? I’ll tell you after you know these sources of both the fatty acids.

Omega-3 Fatty Acid Sources

• Cold water fish like herring, mackerel, sturgeon, and anchovies
• Walnuts
• Flax seeds

Omega-6 Fatty Acid Sources

• Eggs
• Poultry
• Cereals
• Vegetable oils

Now why you should have more omega-3 fatty acids! Because omega-6 is pro-inflammatory and omega-3 is neutral. What you also need to know is that the more omega-3 you have, the less omega-6 will be there to affect your tissues to produce inflammation. If you have a diet which includes more omega-6 than omega-3, it will increase inflammation. And to remind you, inflammation needs to be regulated well to avoid triggers of Graves disease.

6. Take Soy in Moderate Amounts for Hyperthyroidism

There are two views regarding soy consumption by those suffering from hyperthyroidism. One of the view expresses that soy products that are a rich source of proteins and isoflavones, may suppress thyroid functions. Some experts even say that one of the soy isoflavones, genistein, is more effective than some hyperthyroidism medications when it comes to inhibiting thyroid function. One of the studies conducted on animals has shown that a moderate consumption of soy sterols may lower the intensity of hyperthyroidism but its high doses may have the opposite effect. The other view says that soy should be avoided by those suffering from hyperthyroidism. There is some evidence about soy interfering with absorption of thyroid hormone. May be you can have a little of soy products such as 1 ounce of soybean over a period of 2-3 months or a very little amount of tofu or soy milk.

Precaution: As the relation between soy and hyperthyroidism is not clear and if you are taking thyroid hormone medications, you should consult your doctor before consuming soy products.

7. Gromwell Herb for Hyperthyroidism

Gromwell (Lithospermum) is yet another herb from the set of only few herbs that can be beneficial for your overactive thyroid gland. Purple Gromwell is also known as Stoneseed, or Pearl Plant. It keeps the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) under check. The autoantibodies that tend to bind to the TSH are also kept under check by gromwell herb. Make tea from gromwell herb.

Get this:

• Gromwell herb- 1 tsp
• Hot water- 1 cup

Do this:

• Place the herb in a pot.
• Pour hot water over it.
• Steep for about 10 minutes.
• Strain and let it cool down to become just warm.
• Have 2-3 cups of warm gromwell tea a day.

Precaution: Pregnant women should avoid having this herb. If you are taking any medicines, consult your doctor before having this herb.

8. Valerian Root for Hyperthyroidism

Valerian Root is known for its properties as a natural sleep aid and muscle relaxant. Insomnia is one of the common symptom of hyperthyroidism and if you have an overactive thyroid gland, you may find it difficult to fall asleep or have a deep sleep. Valerian root can help combat this symptom of hyperthyroidism. It increases the level of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in your body. Gamma-aminobutyric acid is a neurotransmitter or a chemical used by your nervous system to send messages to brain and cause nerves to calm down. Make Valerian root tea.

Get this:

• Valerian root herb- 1 tsp
• Warm water- 1cup
• Honey (optional)- 1 tsp

Do this:

• Place the herb in a pot.
• Pour warm water over it.
• Steep for 10 minutes.
• Strain and add honey if using.
• Have it before going to bed.

9. Passionflower for Hyperthyroidism

Passionflower is yet another herb which is used for treating insomnia as well as anxiety. This herb can relax body muscles, decrease pain, aid sleep, and slow down heart rate. Medical herbalists often use passionflower for hyperthyroid patients to alleviate their physical and mental symptoms like insomnia, irritability, confusion, and hand tremors. You may like to have passion flower tea to alleviate your symptoms related to overactive thyroid gland. When making this tea, you may also add some lemon balm.

Get this:

• Dried passionflower- 1 tsp Or fresh passionflower- 1 tbsp
• Lemon balm (optional)- If using this, take ¾ tsp passion flower and ¼ tsp of lemon balm
• Boiling water- 1 cup

Do this:

• Place the herb/ herbs in a muslin bag or tea infuser
• Add this to the hot water.
• Let it steep for about 5 minutes.
• Have it an hour before you go to bed.

Precaution: If you are pregnant or breastfeeding woman, avoid having this herb. If you are taking anti-anxiety or anti-depression medicines, don’t have this herb or consult with your doctor.

10. Take Enough Vitamin C for Hyperthyroidism

Free radicals are a potential cause for an overactive thyroid gland. Vitamin C, with all its excellent antioxidant properties, can help combat free radicals. It is actually one of the most recommended supplements nowadays to treat hyperthyroidism. You should have fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C. Along with this, you can also take vitamin C supplement. To begin with, about 1000 mg of vitamin C can be taken but it is always recommended to talk to your doctor before having high doses of any nutritional supplements.

11. Take Vitamin B 12 for Normal Thyroid Functioning

Various B vitamins assist in your body’s basic metabolic function. If you have an overactive thyroid gland, Vitamin B 12 is what should be taken by you. A general deficiency of B12 has been recorded in hyperthyroid patients though no known reasons have been mentioned by anyone for this. You may have foods rich in vitamin B12. However, this vitamin is found naturally in animal products only like shellfish, beef liver, mackerel fish, crab, red meet and eggs but certain fortified cereals and soy products like tofu may contain synthetic forms of Vitamin B12. You may also have Vitamin B 12 supplement to promote normal glandular function. Consult your doctor for right dose for you.

12. Diet and Lifestyle Remedies for Hyperthyroid- Some Do’s and Don’ts

Only medicines and remedies cannot promote the general well being of your thyroid gland. You need to take extra care of your diet and certain habits so that you may be able to regulate the functioning of this very important gland. Here are some do’s and don’ts for you.

1. Have organic food and whole grain. Meat, eggs, and vegetables that have been treated with hormone supplements may affect your body’s capability to synthesize hormones including thyroid hormone as well as fight off various infections.
2. Drink more water.
3. Don’t take too much of carbohydrates and sugars in your diet.
4. Take enough fiber. Include dietary fiber or you may also go for supplements.
5. Reduce consumption of alcohol, tobacco, recreational drugs.
6. Avoid having caffeinated and carbonated drinks.
7. Exercise daily for about 30-60 minutes.
8. Cut back on dairy and gluten containing products. They put strain on your digestive system which may contribute to thyroid conditions.

If you take all these measures and use the right home remedies for hyperthyroidism, you will definitely be able to make your overactive thyroid gland function normally soon.