Feeling like something is just off in your body, but you can’t quite put your finger on it? You always feel tired, struggle to maintain weight or feel down for no clear reason, and nothing seems to help. These are the symptoms that show up when a tiny butterfly-shaped gland in your neck, called the thyroid gland, is not working properly.
A thyroid is not considered to be working well when it produces too much or too little hormone. Depending on whether it is overactive or underactive, medicines are prescribed to balance the hormone levels. However, if the changes in your thyroid function are not too extreme that it demands medical intervention, complementary approaches like maintaining a healthy lifestyle and using Ayurveda can offer natural support for thyroid health.
One effective herbal solution that has helped many on their journey of thyroid health is Krishna’s Thyro Balance Juice. This is a powerful blend of more than 20 natural herbs that work towards the well-being of your thyroid gland. Let’s learn more about Ayurvedic herbs for thyroid health.
Read more about : Sip Your Way to Thyroid Health: The Wonders of Thyro Balance Juice
Understanding The Role of Thyroid Hormones
Every cell in your body communicates and does various actions by a chemical messenger, these are called hormones that are produced by endocrine glands including the thyroid gland. So, basically, hormones are the foundation of your endocrine system.
They control processes like metabolism, growth, temperature regulation, reproduction, and even mood.
The endocrine system and the hormones work to maintain a balanced state in your body known as homeostasis. Therefore, when there is a hormonal imbalance, i.e., you have too little or too much of a certain hormone, it causes negative effects on your health.
Having too much thyroid hormone means your thyroid gland is overactive, also called hyperthyroidism. The symptoms you have in this condition are:
- Fatigue or feeling tired all day
- Anxiety, irritability and nervousness
- Mood swings
- Heat sensitivity
- Weight loss without trying
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Muscle weakness
- Diarrhoea
- Increased heart rate or palpitation
When the gland produces too little hormone, then it is underactive, and the condition is called hypothyroidism. Symptoms include:
- Fatigue or tiredness
- Weight gain
- Sensitivity to cold
- Joint and muscle pain
- Dry skin and hair
- Constipation
- Decreased sweating
- Infertility in women
- Heavy or irregular menstrual periods
- Depression
- Slowed heart rate
Thyroid dysfunction can affect anybody at any age, but it is more common (around five to eight times more) in women than in men.
Read more about : Thyroid Symptoms in Women
Ayurveda For Thyroid Health
Ayurveda, a time-honoured system of medicine, believes that with the regular use of natural herbs, your thyroid hormones can return to balance without any side effects, as they do not contain synthetic ingredients.
It offers treatments which have holistic healing properties that not only help your thyroid function better but also other organs and tissues that are affected by the gland. Irrespective of whether you have hyperthyroid or hypothyroid, Ayurvedic treatment has some viable solutions that balance your hormones naturally and also elevate your overall health condition, including your symptoms.
Ayurvedic treatments are, however, not meant to replace standard treatments for thyroid disorders, but they are meant to complement them.
3 powerful Ayurvedic herbs for thyroid health that can help restore harmony and get you back to feeling your best are:
1. Ashwagandha
Also known as Indian ginseng or winter cherry, this is one of the key herbs used in Ayurvedic medicines and has recently gained popularity as a natural treatment for thyroid problems. It grows naturally in Northern Africa and India and is widely used because it offers different benefits.
It has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce inflammation in the thyroid gland and minimize tissue damage, supporting normal thyroid function. Inflammation of the thyroid gland is seen in autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or Graves’ disease.
It also has adaptogenic properties, which can help to calm your brain and reduce symptoms like stress, anxiety, and depression. Many studies support the use of Ashwagandha for hypothyroidism as it helps lower the stress level in your body, one of the major causes of low thyroid functioning.
In one double-blind, placebo-controlled study, researchers tested ashwagandha on 50 people with mild hypothyroidism. Participants were given 600 milligrams of ashwagandha root daily for 8 weeks. At the end of the study, those who took ashwagandha showed significantly better thyroid hormone levels compared to those who received a placebo.
Another study in 2014 looked at how ashwagandha affects thyroid hormone levels in people with bipolar disorder. After 8 weeks, patients who took ashwagandha had significant improvements in their thyroid hormone levels compared to those on a placebo.
Ashwagandha can also combat ageing, support neurological health and enhance muscle strength.
How to use it
Ashwagandha can be taken in the form of supplements like Vati/tablets and powder. The Ashwagandha Vati is recommended to be taken one or two times per day after eating, with warm water.
The Ashwagandha Powder can be added to water, milk, juices, or smoothies and consumed in the morning or post-dinner.
2. Brahmi
Also known as Bacopa monnieri, this medicinal herb is extremely beneficial for your nervous system. Though the herb is traditionally used for cognitive enhancement and stress reduction, there are some studies that show that Brahmi may benefit thyroid health indirectly and help in increasing thyroid hormones naturally.
As an adaptogen, Brahmi helps your body manage stress, which is important because long-term stress can result in thyroid imbalance. By reducing stress, Brahmi may help regulate cortisol levels and lessen its negative effects on thyroid function, helping the gland produce hormones optimally.
Brahmi also boosts your memory capacity and helps you focus better, some common symptoms of thyroid dysfunction.
How to use it
Brahmi can be consumed in the form of powder. You can mix 1 tsp with warm water, milk, or juices and take it in the morning or evening for best results.
3. Guggul
In Ayurveda, guggul is a highly regarded herb known for its anti-inflammatory and fat-burning properties, making it beneficial for managing hypothyroidism. This herb helps stimulate your thyroid gland to produce the necessary hormones. Additionally, guggul can lower cholesterol levels and promote weight loss, both of which are important for managing thyroid conditions.
Ayurvedic practitioners often recommend guggul as part of a holistic treatment plan for thyroid health. When searching for Ayurvedic herbs for thyroid health, you may come across guggul in almost every herbal supplement for thyroid disorders.
How to use it
Guggul can be taken in the form of tablets or powder. The recommended dosage is typically one to two tablets taken twice daily with warm water after meals. Guggul powder can also be mixed with honey or warm water and consumed in the morning for added health benefits.
Instead of just relying on medicines, turn to nature for support!
Every day, your hormone levels keep changing for hundreds of reasons. These ups and downs are normal and natural, but long-term hormone imbalances can affect your health in a negative way. Ayurvedic herbs for thyroid health are the best way to address such changes in blood hormone levels. To complement this and keep your hormones in check, consume a nutritious diet with less processed food, get regular sleep and exercise, and manage your stress levels.
Some herbal supplements may work with your body’s hormones to improve thyroid function. However, keep in mind that the effects of herbal remedies can differ based on the specific type of thyroid disease. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to consult an expert for advice!
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