Last Updated on 4 September 2024 by Brisbane Livewell Clinic
Thyroid issues are increasing at a fast pace, particularly within Western Society.
It appears to be multifactorial in its pathogenesis, thus, it is important to be reviewing the person holistically to understand WHY the auto-immune condition has synthesised. By treating the person and thoroughly investigating HOW their journey brought them to ill-health, we turn the tides in their lives. Herbal medicine can significantly improve Thyroid Homeostasis (Thyroid Issues) and increase overall health and vitality.
In combination, these herbs have shown to work synergistically to help with Thyroid Issues
Bacopa monnieri aka Brahmi has been used traditionally in India for over 3000 years for nervine tonic, neurotonic, cardiotonic, sedative, nootropic, anxiolytic and thyroid stimulant actions (KUMAR, 2016). In animal studies, Bacopa appears to stimulate T4 synthesis but not T3 synthesis, determining its effect as only stimulatory for T4 and not for the T4 to T3 conversion (Deepali, 2016).
Bladderwrack Fucus vesiculosus aka kelp, is a genus of brown algae particularly cultivated from the Pacific Ocean (Stansbury, 2012). This seaweed is high in iodine, providing a nutritive source of iodine to depleted individuals (Stansbury, 2012). Investigative pathology should be completed prior to utilising this herb to avoid further thyroid imbalances or shifts towards hyperthyroidism due to excessive iodine intakes (Ulbricht, 2013). Bladderwrack has shown to inhibit thyroid tumour growth and induce apoptosis through enhanced expression of Bax and decreased the expression of Bcl-2 in the FTC133 human thyroid cells (Hong‑Yan, 2017).
Blue flag (Iris versicolor) has been used for centuries in the Native American cultures as an endocrine tonic used for autoimmune diseases, in particularly for goitrogens and enlarged thyroids (Friedman, 2013). Iris has been found to detoxify the thyroid gland and gently stimulate the thymus, further research is yet to be determined for its mechanism of action (Stansbury, 2012).
Withania somnifera displays thyroid stimulating effects through increasing both T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine) serum concentrations dependent upon the individual. Another study reviewed that it only increased T4 serum (Ahlawat, 2012) the herb increased hepatic glucose-6-phosphatatase activity and peroxidative protecting effects (Sharad, 2015). Withania doesn’t interact with the enzyme iodothyronine5′-mono-deiodinase utilised for T4 to T3 conversion, it’s mechanism of action is to be determined for thyroid stimulatory effects (Gannon, 2014).
A 2012 study, confirmed Blue Flag root (Iris), Guggul Myrhh Gum; (Commiphora), and Bladderwrack, Nettle leaf (Urtica), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Triphala, and Bacopa provide synergistic mechanisms of action to support general thyroid functionality and nourishment (Stansbury, 2012). The study also indicated nutritional interventions with L-tyrosine, diiodotyrosine, magnesium, selenium and iron (if anaemic) are shown to be highly therapeutic for hypothyroidism (Stansbury, 2012).
These images review the synergistic relationships between the nutrients and herbs.
