Nourishing Thyroid Health
Essential Herbs for Thyroid and Endocrine Health Matthew Wood MSc (Herbal Medicine) Registered Herbalist (American Herbalists Guild)
© 2013 Andrea Beaman. All Rights Reserved.
Matthew Wood • • • • • • • • • •
Matthew Wood has been a practicing herbalist for over 30 years. He is the author of six books on herbal medicine: Seven Herbs, Plants As Teachers Vitalism: the History of Homeopathy, Herbalism, and the Flower Essences The Book of Herbal Wisdom The Practice of Traditional Western Herbalism The Earthwise Herbal (2 v) He is a graduate of the MSc in Herbal Medicine formerly offered by the Scottish School of Herbal Medicine, accredited by the University of Wales Visit www.woodherbs.com Photo credit- Larken Bunce –
www.larkenbunce.com/
© 2013 Andrea Beaman. All Rights Reserved.
The Hypothalamus “Master Gland” of the Endocrine • •
The hypothalamus directs much of the endocrine system Remedies that act on the hypothalamus and the adrenal cortex are called adaptogens –
•
they help the body adapt to stress – weather, emotions, work, play, etc.
Some of the endocrine or hormonal remedies should not be taken when pregnant, though many are safe –
Ask a good herbalist.
© 2013 Andrea Beaman. All Rights Reserved.
The Hypothalamus “Master Gland” of the Endocrine •
Eleutherococcus senticosis – –
•
The most important adaptogen is Eleuthero A good remedy for adrenal exhaustion
American Spikenard (Aralia racemosa) – – –
A remedy that is more warming and better for women Use when there are circles under the eyes If there are circles and “sinking in” under the eyes, add Sunflower seeds as a food
Eleutherococcus senticosis
American Spikenard
© 2013 Andrea Beaman. All Rights Reserved.
The Hypothalamus “Master Gland” of the Endocrine •
The hypothalamus governs the female cycle through the pituitary. –
•
For irregularity and stress- take Pulsatilla (Anemone pulsatilla), a homeopathic name.
The hypothalamus and pituitary also govern the thyroid –
If the pituitary is weak- take Wild Carrot (Daucus carota). Pulsatilla
© 2013 Andrea Beaman. All Rights Reserved.
Thyroid
• •
The thyroid sets the metabolic rate in the cells: hot/active or cold/sluggish. There are a half dozen basic problems with the thyroid. – –
Goiter (swelling) is rare today because of iodine supplementation Seaweed is recommended.
© 2013 Andrea Beaman. All Rights Reserved.
Thyroid •
Hyperthyroidism – – – –
When in balance a slightly hyper thyroid produces a sparkling, animated personality, but when over active, can create nervousness, restlessness, insomnia. For restless sleep- take Lycopus (Bugleweed) Melissa (lemon balm) Heart palpitations is often hyperthyroid- take Leonurus (Motherwort) Melissa (Lemon Balm)
Leonurus (Motherwort)
© 2013 Andrea Beaman. All Rights Reserved.
Thyroid •
Hypothyroidism –
The most important cause is Hashimoto’s: the immune system attacks the thyroid and destroys it •
–
For Hashimoto’s- take Black Walnut Hull (Juglans cinerea).
Another cause of hypothyroid is known as Wilson’s Thyroid Syndrome. • • •
The thyroid hormone does not shift from T4 to T3, the better form for use. For Wilson’s Thyroid Syndrome- take Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Other remedies are Chickweed (Stellaria). –
•
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
Put Chickweed salve on the thyroid to make it more sensitive to hormonal signals.
Even the lowly Nettles (Urtica) may help thyroid.
© 2013 Andrea Beaman. All Rights Reserved.
Adrenals •
There are two sides to the adrenals – –
• • • • •
the adrenal medulla the adrenal cortex.
The first is the source of adrenaline, the “fight or flight” hormone The adrenals are high when a person is “stressed out” The body never runs out of adrenaline but when it keeps running on adrenaline it can exhaust the other side of the adrenals, the adrenal cortex. Adrenal burnout occurs when adrenaline is pumping all the time and the adrenal cortex is exhausted. The way to fight this – –
sedate the nervousness build up the adrenal cortex with good quality fats and oils.
© 2013 Andrea Beaman. All Rights Reserved.
Adrenals • • • • •
For the nervousness- take Borage (Borago), Lemon Balm, Motherwort, Vervain For the adrenal cortex use Burdock (Arctium) If the adrenals are burned out as a part of menopause or aging- take Sage (Salvia). Drying of menopause- take Sage and American ginseng. General remedies: Burdock, Eleuthero, Spikenard, then Sunflower seed Burdock
© 2013 Andrea Beaman. All Rights Reserved.
© 2013 Andrea Beaman. All Rights Reserved.
Matthew Wood • • • • • • • • • •
Matthew Wood has been a practicing herbalist for over 30 years. He is the author of six books on herbal medicine: Seven Herbs, Plants As Teachers Vitalism: the History of Homeopathy, Herbalism, and the Flower Essences The Book of Herbal Wisdom The Practice of Traditional Western Herbalism The Earthwise Herbal (2 v) He is a graduate of the MSc in Herbal Medicine formerly offered by the Scottish School of Herbal Medicine, accredited by the University of Wales Visit www.woodherbs.com Photo credit- Larken Bunce –
www.larkenbunce.com/
© 2013 Andrea Beaman. All Rights Reserved.
The Hypothalamus “Master Gland” of the Endocrine • •
The hypothalamus directs much of the endocrine system Remedies that act on the hypothalamus and the adrenal cortex are called adaptogens –
•
they help the body adapt to stress – weather, emotions, work, play, etc.
Some of the endocrine or hormonal remedies should not be taken when pregnant, though many are safe –
Ask a good herbalist.
© 2013 Andrea Beaman. All Rights Reserved.
The Hypothalamus “Master Gland” of the Endocrine •
Eleutherococcus senticosis – –
•
The most important adaptogen is Eleuthero A good remedy for adrenal exhaustion
American Spikenard (Aralia racemosa) – – –
A remedy that is more warming and better for women Use when there are circles under the eyes If there are circles and “sinking in” under the eyes, add Sunflower seeds as a food
Eleutherococcus senticosis
American Spikenard
© 2013 Andrea Beaman. All Rights Reserved.
The Hypothalamus “Master Gland” of the Endocrine •
The hypothalamus governs the female cycle through the pituitary. –
•
For irregularity and stress- take Pulsatilla (Anemone pulsatilla), a homeopathic name.
The hypothalamus and pituitary also govern the thyroid –
If the pituitary is weak- take Wild Carrot (Daucus carota). Pulsatilla
© 2013 Andrea Beaman. All Rights Reserved.
Thyroid
• •
The thyroid sets the metabolic rate in the cells: hot/active or cold/sluggish. There are a half dozen basic problems with the thyroid. – –
Goiter (swelling) is rare today because of iodine supplementation Seaweed is recommended.
© 2013 Andrea Beaman. All Rights Reserved.
Thyroid •
Hyperthyroidism – – – –
When in balance a slightly hyper thyroid produces a sparkling, animated personality, but when over active, can create nervousness, restlessness, insomnia. For restless sleep- take Lycopus (Bugleweed) Melissa (lemon balm) Heart palpitations is often hyperthyroid- take Leonurus (Motherwort) Melissa (Lemon Balm)
Leonurus (Motherwort)
© 2013 Andrea Beaman. All Rights Reserved.
Thyroid •
Hypothyroidism –
The most important cause is Hashimoto’s: the immune system attacks the thyroid and destroys it •
–
For Hashimoto’s- take Black Walnut Hull (Juglans cinerea).
Another cause of hypothyroid is known as Wilson’s Thyroid Syndrome. • • •
The thyroid hormone does not shift from T4 to T3, the better form for use. For Wilson’s Thyroid Syndrome- take Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Other remedies are Chickweed (Stellaria). –
•
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
Put Chickweed salve on the thyroid to make it more sensitive to hormonal signals.
Even the lowly Nettles (Urtica) may help thyroid.
© 2013 Andrea Beaman. All Rights Reserved.
Adrenals •
There are two sides to the adrenals – –
• • • • •
the adrenal medulla the adrenal cortex.
The first is the source of adrenaline, the “fight or flight” hormone The adrenals are high when a person is “stressed out” The body never runs out of adrenaline but when it keeps running on adrenaline it can exhaust the other side of the adrenals, the adrenal cortex. Adrenal burnout occurs when adrenaline is pumping all the time and the adrenal cortex is exhausted. The way to fight this – –
sedate the nervousness build up the adrenal cortex with good quality fats and oils.
© 2013 Andrea Beaman. All Rights Reserved.
Adrenals • • • • •
For the nervousness- take Borage (Borago), Lemon Balm, Motherwort, Vervain For the adrenal cortex use Burdock (Arctium) If the adrenals are burned out as a part of menopause or aging- take Sage (Salvia). Drying of menopause- take Sage and American ginseng. General remedies: Burdock, Eleuthero, Spikenard, then Sunflower seed Burdock
© 2013 Andrea Beaman. All Rights Reserved.
