My Herbs 1

metabolism, alleviate autoimmune inflammation,
and reinforce adrenal performance.
An important step for the herbal treatment
of autoimmune thyroiditis in
women during perimenopause (around
the menopause period) is the alleviation
of estrogen dominance. Significant hormonal
changes often occur in connection
with the development of
autoimmune thyroiditis, such as the
postpartum period, or perimenopause,
which may be accompanied by a temporary
increase in estrogen levels. Because
of estrogen dominance, the liver produces
a number of proteins known as
thyroxine and the amount of thyroid
hormones circulating in the blood is reduced,
so the body overall has less hormones
for cells immediately available.
Thyroid glands consist of tissues sensitive
to estrogen, and locally increased estrogen
levels may contribute to
autoimmune inflammation. The herbs
recommended during the initial stages of
the disease include especially kelp seaweed,
sea kelp, solenostemon (also
known as coleus), hops, and vitex (or
chaste tree). Herbs and foods with an
“anti–estrogenic” effect, which include
green tea, turmeric, thyme, and oregano,
help neutralize harmful estrogen
metabolites and environmental toxins
and pesticides with estrogenic and inflammatory
reactions.
During advanced stages of the disease,
particularly after substitution treatment,
herbal treatment focuses primarily on
promoting the conversion of thyroxine
to biologically active triiodothyronine
and supporting proper receptor
activity for thyroid
hormones in target cells,
which transmit information
of hormone
presence to
the cell nucleus.
When the size of the patient’s substitution-treatment
dose has a negative effect,
herbal treatment can particularly help
ease its side effects. It also helps prevent
cell resistance to thyroid hormones,
where the body shows signs of reduced
thyroid performance despite an optimal
level of hormones in the blood.
NATURAL ASSISTANCE
The following herbs are not a replacement
for substitution therapy, and. furthermore,
the proper selection and
dosage should always be discussed with
a professional phytotherapist. Herbal
treatment for reduced thyroid performance
should always be part of a universal
approach that takes into account the patient’s
individual medical history while
paying attention to the complex chain of
his/her disease.
Bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus) is
used in the treatment of hypothyroidism
due to its stimulatory effects caused by
its high content of iodine. It is also recommended
for its anti˗estrogenic effects
and performance in protecting thyroid
tissue. Bladderwrack is also a major
source of polysaccharides with antioxidant
and anti-inflammatory effects and
serves as an excellent tonic for supporting
general vascular health.
Kelp Seaweed (Ascophyllum nodosum),
like bladderwrack, is an important
source of biologically usable iodine. Before
using an herb treatment rich in iodine,
it is important to ensure there is
a sufficient level of selenium
in one’s organism. Any deficiency
may cause an
adverse reaction on
the thyroid glands.
Kelp increases the
activity of the important
antioxidant
Kelp Seaweed
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