The Butterfly Gland a Deep Dive ~ Herbs to Support the Thyroid

A Case for Holistic Thyroid Investigation

As I continue to support clients, there is yet an overwhelming number of incoming questions about thyroid concerns and potential supports. I would like to remind all here, that I am a student in life just as you are. We each take a special affinity to various areas of interest. The research I do enables me to be a better resource to clients and my community. I also make some of my own synopses based on how I perceive the information. What I write is not a conclusive answer to a question, but great beginning points for others to think about their body and health. Always do your own research in regard to a suggestion or recommendation via any type of practitioner. What works for one body, may not be the right fit for another.

Now bear with me! I am going to explain a little about the thyroid and the system it is included within the body. This is important because understanding this system is relatively new and there is no extensive review of phytotherapy (the practice of using medicines derived from plants or herbs to treat or prevent health conditions) completed for the endocrine system. This means we not only must, but have the ‘opportunity,’ to be our own detectives.

The information I include is merely an example of how much of the body relies on what is called feedback loops. Feedback loops are used to keep our body environment stable (homeostasis). The proper release of hormones is crucial to these feedback loops. We have become accustomed to the current western medical treatment of isolating a troubled organ or gland in the body without viewing this ‘symptom’ as a part of a much larger systemic issue. This is where plant protocols and a holistic model of health can have a deeply positive impact on dis-ease in the body, including thyroid concerns, even in collaboration with necessary western medical interventions. 

The thyroid is a very small butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck. The size of this gland has nothing to do with the function. It may be small, but it performs a powerhouse of functions, including:

• Regulation of heart and muscle activity
• Regulates the metabolism and turns food into energy
• Converts beat-carotene into vitamin A
• Repairs bones
• Transports electrolytes
• Cellular protein synthesis
• Regulates growth during childhood
• Regulates a woman’s monthly cycle
• Affects the mental process
• Helps to regulate sex drive and libido 

The thyroid is a part of the endocrine system. The endocrine system is like a courier to send messages to tissues and organs. Glands and organs send out hormones to affect cells throughout the entire body. Hormones are the “chemical messengers” that travel in your bloodstream to another part of your body. Hormones communicate either with another endocrine gland (which release other hormones) or with a specific organ. The endocrine glands include the pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, pineal, and thymus glands. Non-endocrine organs, such as the pancreas and the gonads also contain areas of endocrine tissue that produce hormones. The hypothalamus, a part of the nervous system, produces and releases hormones as well, and is considered a neuroendocrine organ. 

Types of Thyroid Disease Symptoms

The most common thyroid conditions include:

• Hypothyroidismis suppressed (underactive) thyroid function. This is when the body is not making enough thyroid hormone to properly function.
• Hyperthyroidismis overactive thyroid function. This is when the body is making too much thyroid hormone.
• Hashimoto’s Thyroiditisis an autoimmune disorder that occurs when the immune system attacks and damages the thyroid causing hypothyroidism.
• Grave’s Disease is an autoimmune disorder causing hyperthyroidism.
• Postpartum Thyroiditis occurs after having a baby due to an inflamed thyroid, causing an underactive or overactive thyroid.

Some of the common symptoms of hypothyroidism include:

• Anxiety
• Brain fog
• Intolerance to cold
• Dry skin
• Weight gain 
• Hair loss               

Some of the common symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:

• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Racing heart
• Bulging eyes
• Weight loss
• Hair loss

There are two important jobs of the thyroid. First, this gland secretes thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) hormones, and the numbers relate to the number of iodine atoms found within it regulating our metabolism. Thyroxine controls the rate and intensity of most normal functions in the body. The regulation of heart rate, sweating, digestive action, body temperature, calorie consumption, and many other actions within the body. In short, a hyperactive thyroid results in high metabolism and Hyperthyroidism, while an inactive thyroid will result in a slow metabolism and Hypothyroidism.

A second hormone secreted by the thyroid is calcitonin, this hormone controls the blood calcium levels in the body. Blood calcium levels are very important for nerves, muscles, and the heart to work properly. We need the proper amount of blood calcium, or we can die. When the thyroid secretes calcitonin, it lowers the blood calcium which is then secreted by the kidneys but also goes back into the bones. Another part of the thyroid is called the parathyroid gland that secretes the parathyroid hormone (PTH). If the blood calcium level goes too low, the parathyroid raises the blood calcium level to a correct balance in the body. The thyroid and the parathyroid work together to keep these levels correct. 

I hope you are still with me! It is your hypothalamus that releases thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), which triggers your pituitary gland to release thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which stimulates your thyroid to release T3 and T4. The hypothalamus links the nervous system to the endocrine system via the pituitary gland and responds to many different signals externally and some internally. Estrogen is a group of hormones that have many effects on the hypothalamus and targets all major hypothalamic neuroendocrine and autonomic cellular groups to activate multiple signaling pathways. 

This is what is called a feedback loop. It may seem a bit much to wrap your head around but in the simplest understanding, ask yourself what happens when this feedback loop is dysregulated at any point within the hormone delivery process? Once we comprehend that we are operating on feedback loops we can begin to look at the system as a whole and build treatments that support more than one single part of a totality. The beautiful part about plant protocols is that it is intelligent medicine, meaning they often go where they are needed to the job that is required. Our body acts holistically and so do plants respond in this way to our body, who are also natural beings. 

Herbs that may Help to Support Hypothyroidism

Bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus) is a seaweed that has been traditionally used for hypothyroidism. Although it offers much support in many areas, it is mostly supportive in the case of iodine deficiency. Other supportive herbs for iodine deficiency are kelp and sea tangle. Read more about the importance of iodine here.

Nettle (Urtica dioica) works to optimize iodine absorption and is one of my favourites for a simple but powerful herb to support the skin and body. We use nettle profusely at bee23.ca and in our Stop the Sag Tea Bag!

Hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata) is considered a cardiovascular tonic and supports the heart. Hypothyroidism accelerates the thickening of hardening of arteries caused by a buildup of plaque in the inner lining of an artery called atherosclerosis. Cardiovascular damage may be lessened using hawthorn and other cardio supports such as Gingko biloba and garlic.

Natural emollients such as beeswax, shea butter, rosehip oil, castor seed oil and jojoba oil will help with dry and scaly skin. We have what you need for powerful emollient support at bee23.ca. Click here to view our shop!

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) is very accessible for blood circulation support, among many such as cayenne pepper, Gingko biloba, ginger, hawthorn, and turmeric. Our Stop the Sag Tea Bag not only supports the strength of your inner cellular matrix but has cinnamon to help with blood circulation. Learn more about the best type of cinnamon to use.

Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) may be helpful to support the nervous system, however, stay away from stronger relaxing nervines such as valerian.

Yellow dock (Rumex crispus) may be used to help with chronic constipation, along with butternut (Juglans cinerea) also called white walnut.

Herbs that may Help to Support Hyperthyroidism

Bugleweed (Lycopus virginicus) is an excellent herb to calm the nervous system and via study has been shown to inhibit stimulation of thyroid hormone production by both TSH and Graves’ antibodies.

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a very good relaxant and nervine support. Lemon balm was included in the Bugleweed study finding that this herb demonstrated anti-thyroidal effects.

Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) soothes nervous tension, while renewing and revivifying the central nervous system. It is known to be a hypotensive, meaning it will lower blood pressure.

Hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata) is considered a cardiovascular tonic and supports the heart, along with being hypotensive.

I hope this offers some ‘plants’ for thought! If you would like to share your own experiences with herbs and holistic supports for the thyroid, please take the time to drop a comment. If you require additional herbal supports and would like to learn more or book a consultation, click here.

References

Hoffman, David. 2003. Medical Herbalism the Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Healing Arts Press. 

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8090196/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16112267/#:~:text=Estrogen%20has%20multifaceted%20effects%20on,to%20activate%20multiple%20signaling%20pathways." 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16112267/#:~:text=Estrogen%20has%20multifaceted%20effects%20on,to%20activate%20multiple%20signaling%20pathways.

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22391-thyroid-hormone#:~:text=Your%20body%20controls%20your%20thyroid,to%20release%20T3%20and%20T4.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7372268/#:~:text=Melatonin%20increased%20the%20thyroid%20gland,ratio%20in%20the%20thyroid%20gland. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538498/