If you find that you’re regularly feeling tired, constipated, confused, and gaining more weight than you normally would, you might be suffering from hypothyroidism.  This is where your body produces fewer thyroid hormones than it should. Use these home remedies for hypothyroidism to treat the symptoms and improve your hormone production.

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

The thyroid is a small gland in the front of your neck which releases hormones that help your body regulate your energy levels. When it produces fewer hormones than it is supposed to, it can cause the symptoms of hypothyroidism. Some of the more common symptoms of hypothyroidism are as follows:

• Constipation
• Depression or low mood
• Fatigue
• Dry skin
• Abnormal weight gain
• Slowed heart rate
• Less sweating
• Increased blood pressure
• Changes to your menstrual cycle
• Fertility issues
• Thinning hair
• Joint pain and stiffness
• Muscle aches
• Sensitive facial nerves or a puffy face

What Causes Hypothyroidism?

There are a variety of things that could cause hypothyroidism. Below are some of the most common causes.

• Excess yeast production in the intestines
• Chlorine traces in your drinking water
• Excess fluoride in your drinking water
• Certain autoimmune disorders like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
• Undergoing radioactive iodine treatment or radiation therapy targeted around your neck
• Medications like amiodarone, lithium, interferon alpha, and interleukin 2
• Being deficient in any of the following minerals. iodine, selenium, zinc, molybdenum, boron, copper, chromium, manganese and magnesium.
• Pregnancy.
• Physical defects of the thyroid gland.
• Damaged or dysfunctional pituitary gland or hypothalamus.
• Aging

Women tend to have a higher risk of developing hypothyroidism, this is most likely due to the high production of other hormones in women compared to men.

Treatments for Hypothyroidism

Treatment for hypothyroidism usually involves taking a daily thyroid hormone replacement medication. This can, of course, create side effects which may leave you feeling nauseous or creating other issues. If this is the case, you may want to try some of the home remedies for hypothyroidism listed below. 

Home Remedies for Hypothyroidism

1. Healthy Diet

Whilst there’s no special meal plan for managing hypothyroidism, maintaining a well-balanced, healthy diet should help to manage your symptoms and ward off the condition. To manage a balanced diet, try not to eat too much from any single food group, even if it’s a seemingly healthy choice.  Choose a wide range of vegetables and fruits, especially colorful ones as these are the ones most likely to be packed full of antioxidants. You should also try to limit your intake of saturated fats and have seafood (a great source of omega-3) at least twice a week.

2. Acupuncture

Acupuncture may help to relieve some of the symptoms of hypothyroidism. It can also improve the way your body responds to any treatment you may already be having for the condition.

 

3. Yoga

Your thyroid gland is heavily impacted by stress and yoga is a great way to manage that stress. Try doing around half an hour of gentle yoga each day could help you to relax and therefore ease your symptoms.

 

4. Meditation

Meditation is another method you could try to help manage your stress and control the symptoms of your hypothyroidism. You can pracitce meditation at home easily. Use Youtube videos if you are inexperienced.

5. Selenium

Selenium is a trace element that has a role in the metabolism of your thyroid hormones. Foods like grass-fed beef, Brazil nuts, and tuna are great sources of this element so including more of them in your diet could significantly help reduce your symptoms.

6. Sugar-Free Diet

Sugars can cause excessive inflammation in the body which can negatively impact the hormones produced by your thyroid. This, therefore, makes your symptoms worse. Removing sugar from your diet could help to improve your skin and stress levels too as you’ll be likely to experience fewer ‘crashes’ after a sugar rush.

 

7. Vitamin B

Hypothyroidism is often linked to low levels of vitamin B-12. Taking a vitamin B-12 supplement each day could not only help repair some of the cellular damage the condition may cause, but it’ll also improve some of the symptoms – such as fatigue.

You can also increase your vitamin B levels by eating more foods like peas, asparagus, sesame seeds, milk, tuna, and eggs.

 

8. Probiotics

Probiotics contain live bacteria that help keep your stomach and intestines healthy by balancing the levels of good and bad bacteria inside them. This can help to boost your immune system and therefore reduce many of the risk factors of hypothyroidism. Probiotics include foods like yogurt, raw cheese, and kefir.

9. Gluten-Free Diet

A gluten-free diet has proved a successful home remedy for hypothyroidism for many people. opt for gluten-free alternatives to pasta, cakes, and bread and see if your symptoms improve. If so, you might benefit from a permanently gluten-free diet.

 

10. Rosemary Oil

Rosemary oil can help tackle inflammation in your body and so decrease the symptoms of your hypothyroidism. Mix three or four drops with a tablespoon of coconut oil and massage it into your thyroid pressure points. Let the oil soak into your skin and massage for a couple of minutes. You could also dry adding a few drops of rosemary oil to your bath water and soak in it for between fifteen and twenty minutes.  

 

11. Frankincense Oil

Frankincense oil is a great home remedy for hypothyroidism and will ease your symptoms such as skin irritation, internal inflammation, and stomach problems. This is because it stimulates your digestive system and brain into soothing inflammation. To make use of this method, mix three or four drops of oil with a tablespoon of coconut oil and gently apply the mixture to the base of your throat.

 

12. Ashwagandha

The apoptogenic herb, ashwagandha works as a home remedy for hypothyroidism by balancing out your thyroid hormones. It does this by strengthening your immune system, reducing stress levels and enhancing your stamina.

 

13. Essential Minerals

Hypothyroidism is often caused by a deficiency of iodine and other essential minerals. You can take a well-absorbed, low potency liquid supplement that contains a range of minerals to restore your internal balance and reduce your symptoms.

14. Flax Seeds

Flaxseeds are a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which help to stimulate the production of thyroid hormones. They’re also a potent source of magnesium and vitamin B12 which are both known to improve your hypothyroidism. Add a tablespoon of powdered seeds to a glass of milk, mix well and drink. Drink this once or twice a day and you’ll start to notice an improvement in your condition.

15. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil contains medium-chain fatty acids that are known to have a range of health benefits. This is why it makes such a great home remedy for hypothyroidism as well as so many other conditions. Regular consumption of coconut oil will help to increase your metabolism and raise your body temperature. This will help you to lose the extra weight that the condition can cause. Consuming the coconut oil twice a day should see your symptoms start to improve.

 

16. Ginger

Ginger tea is a rich source of potassium, magnesium, and polyphenols like gingerol. It also has potent anti-inflammatory properties. These qualities all add to ginger’s astounding ability to work as a home remedy for hypothyroidism. Simply add an inch of ginger to some boiling water and let it stew for five to ten minutes. You can then drink this as an herbal tea.  Two or three cups a day should help you see an improvement.

 

17. Kelp

Kelp is rich in iodine which helps to combat one of any iodine deficiencies that could be causing your hypothyroidism. Try adding more of this food to your diet to get in enough minerals.

18. Guggul

Guggul is produced from the guggul plant and can be used to treat inflammation and help you lose weight – two things often associated with hypothyroidism.

 

19. Bladderwrack

Like kelp, bladderwrack is another type of seaweed that is known to combat iodine deficiencies. This makes it a great home remedy for hypothyroidism.  Add two teaspoons of bladderwrack to some hot water and let it brew for five or ten minutes. You can then add a little honey for added sweetness if you wish and drink it as an herbal tea. Two cups a day should be enough to help improve your condition.

 

20. Black Walnut

Black walnut is packed full of vitamins and minerals that make it a seriously effective home remedy for hypothyroidism. Simply add two or three drops of black walnut extract to a glass of water and drink. Take this drink twice a day to see an improvement in your symptoms and condition.

 

21. Nettle

Nettle tea is another great source of vitamins and minerals which your body needs in order to prevent or balance hypothyroidism. Drinking two or three cups a day should be enough to improve your symptoms.

22. Protein

Proteins are responsible for transporting thyroid hormones to all your tissues. You can increase your protein intake healthily by eating more nuts and quinoa.

23. Glutathione

Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant which helps to strengthen your immune system. This makes it a great option as a home remedy for hypothyroidism. The compound is found in foods like asparagus, peaches, avocado, spinach, and grapefruit.

 

24. Wild-Caught Fish

Wild-caught fish are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids which are essential to the proper balancing of thyroid hormones.

25. Seaweed

Whilst we’ve already mentioned kelp and bladderwrack, it’s important to note that most types of seaweed can be used as home remedies for your hypothyroidism. This is because they’re all packed with iodine – one of the key deficiencies often at the root cause of your condition. You can include seaweed into your diet by adding them to soups with tuna or fish cakes.

 

26. Bone Broth

Beef and chicken stock contain helpful amino acids like L-proline and L-glycine. These help to repair any damage in your digestive lining and so help to improve hypothyroidism symptoms. Bone broth also contains a range of minerals that nourish your digestive tract and prevents a number of deficiencies which could otherwise cause you to develop hypothyroidism or make an existing diagnosis worse.

 

27. Iodine

Iodine deficiencies are often one of the major causes of hypothyroidism. A diet that’s naturally rich in iodine could, therefore, help to prevent the development of the condition or ease your symptoms if you are diagnosed with the condition. You could try taking iodine supplements or including more foods like seaweeds into your diet.

 

28. Lemongrass Oil

Lemongrass oil is another essential oil that can be used as a home remedy for hypothyroidism. Simply mix two to four drops of lemongrass oil with a small amount of myrrh and gently rub this into your thyroid area. This helps to reduce inflammation and therefore tackle a number of your symptoms.

29. Slow Down Your Eating

Because your thyroid gland is located in your throat area it’s connected to both the mind and the body. This means that when you rush to eat, foods move too quickly between the mouth and stomach. This can cause confusion within the body which can aggravate your hypothyroidism. Slowing down your eating gives your body a chance to know what’s going on and balance your metabolism.

 

30. Stay Hydrated

Keeping hydrated is not only great for your general wellbeing, but it also helps to tackle a number of symptoms of your hypothyroidism. You should aim to drink around eight glasses of water a day in order to stay properly hydrated.

Which of these home remedies for hypothyroidism will you try? Comment below!

 

References

https://doctor.ndtv.com/living-healthy/8-natural-treatments-for-hypothyroidism-1774712

https://www.webmd.com/women/features/low-thyroid-alternative-therapy

https://www.healthline.com/health/hypothyroidism/five-natural-remedies-for-hypothyroidism

https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/home-remedies-to-treat-hypothyroidism/

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-3139/13-Ways-to-Treat-Hypothyroidism-Naturally.html

https://superfoodprofiles.com/brazil-nuts-selenium-supplement-testosterone-enhancer