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Your thyroid is responsible for several critical bodily functions. Therefore it is extremely important that you do everything to keep it in good condition. Millions of people have a thyroid that is either too active or, conversely, underactive. That means that in both cases it does not perform its function correctly.
Thyroid gland
However, there are things you can start doing today to ensure your thyroid works as it should. Then your whole body will function properly.
The thyroid produces certain hormones that are necessary for many bodily activities. If it produces too much, we call it an overactive thyroid, and if too little, then it is an underactive thyroid.
Each of these two conditions has an adverse effect on your health. In extreme cases it can even lead to paralyzing complications.
Therefore, if you have a deviation either upward or downward, steps must be taken to quickly correct it in order to improve quality of life.
Bodily functions regulated by the thyroid gland
- electrolyte transport
- regulation of muscle and heart activity
- bone regeneration
- regulation of growth during adolescence
- helps regulate the menstrual cycle
- helps regulate sexual desire and libido
- cellular protein synthesis
- availability of nutrients and their conversion into energy
- regulation of metabolism
- conversion of beta-carotene to vitamin A (retinol)
- helps regulate mental processes
Several different herbs exist to support thyroid health. They are consumed either as tea or as extracts in capsules and tablets.
To achieve the desired effect it is critically important that you take the correct dose.
Of all the herbs we have selected the top 7 for you. Then choose those that best correspond to the type of your thyroid problem.
Bladderwrack
This little plant with a funny name has great potential for people suffering from an underactive thyroid.
It contains a lot of iodine, which is a basic and the most important element for this organ.
By supplying iodine you can improve and support the function of your thyroid.
Flax seeds
You probably often hear about flax seeds for digestive problems because they contain a high proportion of fiber, or in cancer treatment due to their content of unsaturated fatty acids.
They also significantly help with thyroid problems.
Especially people who suffer from an underactive thyroid can solve this problem by consuming freshly ground flax seeds every day.
The best thing about these seeds is that to achieve the desired effect you only need one tablespoon a day. You can add them to a drink or to another food.
However, they must always be consumed raw, so add them to food only after it has been cooked, not before.
Echinacea
This plant is popular for supporting immunity. That is also why it works in supporting the thyroid.
It is beneficial for those who suffer from an overactive thyroid. However, it is necessary to use the echinacea root.
For this reason, commonly available preparations in stores will be insufficient, because most of them do not contain the root, but the flowers or leaves of echinacea.
The echinacea root is taken in the form of tea.
Ginger
You probably already use ginger to relieve nausea or an upset stomach.
However, ginger root is also suitable for an underactive thyroid because it contains a lot of zinc, magnesium and potassium. Alongside iodine, these are other minerals the thyroid needs for proper function.
For the best results use fresh ginger, not dried powdered ginger.
You can eat a piece of fresh ginger or make tea from it by grating it, pouring boiling water over it, letting it steep for at least 5 minutes and then straining it through a sieve.
You can add a little honey to sweeten it.
Licorice
If you have an underactive thyroid that causes fatigue, this herb can help you.
In addition to supporting the thyroid, it also improves mood and provides more energy.
As a bonus, it also contains glycyrrhetinic acid, which acts to suppress the growth of certain types of thyroid cancer.
Nettle
Nettle is suitable for people with both an overactive and an underactive thyroid.
It is often talked about as a tonic for the thyroid because it contains a lot of iodine and can correct a deficiency of this element in the body.
The simplest and most effective way to consume nettle is in the form of tea.
Evening primrose
Evening primrose is very beneficial for various women’s ailments. In addition, it is also highly beneficial for thyroid health.
It can effectively alleviate manifestations of an underactive thyroid, such as hair loss or heavy menstruation.
The most common and effective way to consume it is by drinking it as a tea.
Conclusion
As you can see, when your thyroid does not work properly, it can manifest with a whole array of different health problems.
Go through the list of plants in this article and choose the one (or more) that best matches your specific case.
However, consult your doctor, who will recommend the most suitable one for you. They will also help determine the correct dose, since it can vary for different patients.
In addition, they will ensure that the chosen herb will not have adverse effects or interactions with other medications.
